Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 25, June 22, 2024
Section 602a.6 - Evaluation of applications(a)Evaluations. Consistent with § § 601a.12 and 602a.3 (relating to minimum qualifications; and selective criteria), the Office of Administration shall evaluate an applicant's application to determine whether the applicant possesses the minimum qualifications for employment in the relevant job classification and, where applicable, the selective criteria required for appointment or promotion to the specific position to which the applicant applied. The Office of Administration may require an applicant to supply certificates and other appropriate documents relevant to determining the applicant's qualifications.(b)Basis for evaluation. The job specification shall be the primary basis and source of authority for evaluating whether an applicant possesses the minimum qualifications for employment in the job classification to which the applicant applied. The Office of Administration may develop aids for interpreting the minimum qualifications for employment in a job classification, as set forth in the relevant job specification. These interpretive aids shall be binding for purposes of evaluating an applicant's eligibility for employment in a job classification. If applicable, the approved selective criteria, as set forth in the vacancy posting, shall be the primary basis and source of authority for evaluating whether an applicant possess the selective criteria required for appointment or promotion to the specific position to which the applicant applied.(c)Unqualified applicants. The Office of Administration is not required to score the examination of, or otherwise certify or refer, an applicant who lacks the minimum qualifications for employment in the relevant job classification or, where applicable, the selective criteria required for appointment or promotion to the specific position to which the applicant applied.(d)Notice. When the Office of Administration determines that an applicant lacks the minimum qualifications for employment in the relevant job classification or, where applicable, the selective criteria required for appointment or promotion to the specific position to which the applicant applied, or both, the applicant shall be notified of the reasons for the determination and the ability to request reconsideration under subsection (f).(e)Correction of errors in determination of qualifications. The Office of Administration, upon finding an error in the determination of an applicant's qualifications shall correct the error and report the error to the affected applicant, regardless of whether the applicant requested reconsideration under subsection (f).(f)Reconsideration. An applicant may request the Office of Administration reconsider a determination that the applicant lacks the minimum qualifications or selective criteria required for employment in a job classification or position by submitting a written request for reconsideration to the Office of Administration within 5 business days of the date that the notice of ineligibility determination was sent to the applicant by the Office of Administration. The written request for reconsideration shall state the grounds for the request, specifically explaining why the ineligibility determination was incorrect based on the information provided by the applicant on their application. The Office of Administration will re-review the applicant's application and provide the applicant with a further explanation or revised result. (1) Appointing authorities may continue the hiring process while an applicant's request for reconsideration is pending review by the Office of Administration.(2) If the Office of Administration determines that, due to an administrative error, an applicant was improperly determined to lack the minimum qualifications or selective criteria required for employment in a job classification or position, the Office of Administration will score the applicant's examination and, if the applicant obtains a passing examination score, certify the applicant's name to the appropriate eligible list or otherwise refer the applicant's name to the appointing authority with instructions that the appointing authority must consider the applicant for appointment or promotion to the vacancy in accordance with the act and this subpart.