Do I Need To Take An Examination In Order To Get A Promotion?

Section 5-195 of the Connecticut General Statutes states that all appointments and promotions in state service, except where specified, be made according to merit and fitness as ascertained by examinations given in accordance with provisions of this chapter.

Section 5-227a provides for the waiving of competitive examinations in certain situations involving the reclassification of an employee’s position. It allows promotions without examination on a case by case basis under the following guidelines:

• The growth in duties is practical where the organization is ultimately able to support the reclassification without significant change;
• The effect of the reclassification is measured such that movement is limited to within the career series and does not result in a reclassification to lower in the career series;
• The reclassified position is in the same labor unit

Some classifications are non-competitive and do not require competitive examination even for promotional opportunities. However, employees must still meet the minimum experience and training requirements for the position.

There are also classifications that are non-examined and the possession of a professional license or degree, or satisfactory completion of an accreditation, certificate or licensure program may serve as the sole basis for appointment, provided these are a mandatory requirement for employment in a position under Section 5-219. For more information on the classifications included, please review DAS General Letter No. 222.

Under the delegated plan recruitment is delegated to the agency in accordance with DAS General No. 222 DAS posts positions and agencies handle individual recruitment.

What Are The Conditions That Need To Be Met In Order To Be Promoted Without Taking An Examination Under C.G.S. Section 5-227a?

• Employee meets the minimum qualifications for the reclassified position as detailed on the class specification.
• Employee has maintained an adequate performance record and has received a satisfactory appraisal on the two most recent consecutive performance evaluations (conducted in accordance with the applicable authority for performance evaluations).
• Employee has worked at his existing level in his current position for a minimum period of six months.
• Commissioner of Administrative Services approves the reclassified position.

If I Believe That I Meet The Qualifications For Promotion, What Should I Do?

You should first consult with your supervisor to assist in the review of your current duties and the organizational structure to determine if support for a reclassification is warranted. The supervisor must also consult with management (Assistant Director, Director and/or Bureau Chief). Once the supervisor and management concur they may consult with Human Resources for collaboration or they may choose to formally submit the promotion package to the unit's business liaison. The promotion package must contain the following forms:

• Organizational chart
• Job Aps Master Application
• Duties Questionnaire
• Request for Position Action Form
• 2 most recent service ratings or copy of examination results
• Advanced Working Level/Lead Level Form
• Administrative Assistant Manager's Form

The business office liaison will review the package for completeness and obtain the signatures of the Division Director and/or Bureau Chief, and Deputy Commissioner. The package is then forwarded to the Human Resources Division. The Human Resources liaison assigned to the bureau or division will review the package for completeness and will also review the duties questionnaire to determine if the duties being performed are at the higher level. The Human Resources liaison also must determine if the employee meets the experience and training requirements of the requested job specification and if the use of the job classification is appropriate as well as reviewing the organizational structure. If the Human Resources liaison agrees with the request, he/she will process the request for promotion and forward it to the Department of Administrative Services; and the Office of Policy Management, if applicable. If approved, the promotion is directed to Payroll for payment and the employee is notified.

How Long Is A Promotional Working Test Period?

Normally, promotional working test periods are four or six months as specified by State regulations or the collective bargaining union contract. The working test period may be extended for an additional period of time, up to a maximum of six months. Extensions may be allowed based upon performance issues, State Regulations and/or bargaining unit contracts. Some contracts allow provisional promotion periods or temporary service in a higher class (TSHC) to apply toward meeting the working test period. Questions regarding the working test period should be referred to your Human Resources liaison.

What if I am Promoted From One Bargaining Unit To Another, Or From A Bargaining Unit Title To A Managerial Title?

There are certain factors to consider, such as standard or nonstandard pay plans, work hours in one bargaining unit versus another, and bargaining unit rules and/or State regulations. Before a new salary is calculated, Human Resources must review a set of criteria and guidence given by the Department of Administrative Services from the following: Determining Salary Upon A Change In Jobs Class.

What If I Have Other Questions?

Any other questions should be directed to your supervisor or your Human Resources Liaison.

If I plan to resign from State Service, whom do I notify?

Resignations, including transfers to another state agency, should be put in writing to your supervisor with a copy to the Human Resources and Payroll Divisions. The resignation letter should be submitted at least two weeks in advance to ensure the resignation is in good standing. If you are transferring to another state agency, you must notify your supervisor and the Human Resources and Payroll Divisions as soon as possible, but with at least two weeks notice. This will ensure that your personnel and payroll information is transferred in a timely manner (most of the information is downloaded electronically and requires a specific timeframe for transmittal of the payroll information). Transfer to another state agency MUST occur on the first day of a pay period.

What is the minimum amount of notice I need to give to ensure a resignation in good standing?

The minimum resignation notice is two weeks. Although not statutorily mandated, managers are expected to give at least four weeks notice.

How long is my health insurance in effect after I resign from state service?

The expiration of your health insurance benefits is dependent on the date of your resignation. Generally, they will expire the first of the month following your resignation. You should contact the DEEP Payroll Department at the time of your resignation to obtain a more exact date.

If I plan to leave state service and move, what should I do if my health insurance plan does not offer any out-of-area services?

Shortly after your resignation from the State of Connecticut, the Payroll Department will notify you of your eligibility for COBRA insurance benefits. This allows for continuation of your medical/dental insurance benefits for a specified period of time up to a maximum of three years. The cost of this coverage is at the group rate (total cost of employee and state share) which is the fair market value price of your plan and is dependent on the type of coverage you wish to continue (self, family, etc.). Most of the providers offer coverage for emergency situations. You should check with the health plan administrator if you are contemplating leaving the service area.

How can I rescind my resignation and what are the benefits of withdrawing my resignation?

To receive privileges under General Letter 177, a former employee must have:

• Attained permanent status prior to resignation.
• In the classified service (i.e., the employee successfully completed the working test period following appointment to a position in the classified service).
• In the unclassified service in a bargaining unit (i.e., the employee successfully completed the requisite working test period under the specified labor union contract).
• Resigned from an eligible job class. o Training classes or other job classes in which permanent status cannot be attained due to the nature of the work are ineligible.
• Resigned from State service in good standing and with no stipulated agreement requiring the resignation to be processed as “in good standing”.
• Completed the Rescind Resignation request via the JobAps, Freenames Application, within one year from date of resignation.
• Received confirmation notice from DAS approving such request.
• Been rehired within two years from date of resignation.

Former employees who meet the above requirements must submit a Rescind of Resignation request via JobAps, Freenames within one year from date of resignation. Once former employees receive notification of approval from DAS, they may contact agencies to explore the possibility of reinstatement under this General Letter 177. However, in order to receive privileges authorized under this policy, the former employee must have submitted a Rescind of Resignation request via JobAps, Freenames prior to appointment. See Rescind Resignation Request Form for instructions to submit the Rescind of Resignation request via JobAps, Freenames.

Also, please see General Letter 177, COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS UPON REINSTATEMENT section for specific benefits available to former, eligible employees.

What benefits will be paid to me when I resign from the State of Connecticut?

• You will automatically be paid for the balance of your vacation hours in your last paycheck.
• Personal leave and compensatory time balances are not paid. Any balances remaining after the resignation will be lost. You may request to use this time prior to resignation.
• You will not be paid for any sick leave balance. Your balance will be restored if you are re-employed within one year.

If I separate from state service for reasons other than retirement and am a member of a contributory retirement plan (Tier 1, Tier 2 Hazardous Duty, Tier 2A or Tier 3), can I withdraw the money I contributed?

Yes, if you separate from state employment you may request a refund of your retirement contributions. You should request an "Application for Refund of Retirement Contributions" (CO-628, 628 a,b,c,d or f dependent on retirement plan) from the DEEP Human Resources Division. The form can be submitted at anytime--during the resignation process or anytime after you have left state service. IMPORTANT: You will relinquish any retirement benefit to which you may be entitled when you receive a refund of your contributions. Your refund check will be issued to you at the address shown on the refund application form in approximately 45 to 60 days following receipt by the Office of the Comptroller - Retirement and Benefit Services Division. Complete directions and additional information are available on the application form.

If I separate from state service, can I withdraw my retiree health contributions?

Yes, you may request a refund of your retiree health contributions with the CO-1301 form which must be submitted to DEEP-Payroll for agency completion and certification.

For more information, you should refer to your designated Tier retirement brochure or the State Retirement and Benefit Services Division at 860-702-3490 or www.osc.ct.gov/rbsd/forms.html

State of CT - Code of Ethics

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How do I apply for a transfer within DEEP?

If you wish to transfer within the DEEP, you should review the vacancies and promotional opportunities that are posted on the DEEP Intranet. These opportunities are posted every week on Monday mornings. In order to apply for a position, you must complete a CT-HR-12 employment application form available on the DAS website and return it to the DEP Human Resources Division by the closing date indicated.

How do I apply for a transfer to another state agency?

You may review the internet websites of other state agencies since many of them list vacancy and transfer opportunities and update them regularly. The Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Business Center (HRBC) also maintains a register of vacancies for all agencies. You may review this register by visiting the HRBC at 165 Capitol Avenue, Room G-1, Hartford, and apply directly to those agencies for positions in which you are interested. You may also request to be placed on a statewide transfer list maintained by the Department of Administrative Services.

Does my bargaining unit make difference when applying for a transfer?

See your collective bargaining contract which may be specific regarding transfers within your agency and other state agencies.

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