0:00:11 23 sec
Procedure
Council staff opens hearing and administers instructions
Council staff welcomes attendees, asks to silence phones, instructs on speaker cards, and turns the floor over to Chair Aldebol.
New York City Council
Committee on Civil Service and Labor
Oversight - Municipal Recruitment and Civil Service Pathways
Sep 22, 2026 · 10:00 AM ET · 1 hr 59 min
Hearing
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
0:00:35 17 sec
Remarks
Chair Aldebol opens hearing on municipal recruitment and civil service pathways
Chair Shirley Aldebol welcomes attendees, identifies herself, and states the hearing topic: municipal recruitment and pathways to civil service.
0:00:52 35 sec
Remarks
Chair Aldebol reviews prior hearing and existing recruitment programs
Aldebol recalls the April hearing on rebuilding the municipal workforce and outlines current DCAS programs like the Civil Service Pathways Fellowship and Public Service Core Program.
0:01:27 32 sec
Remarks
Chair Aldebol details Civil Service Pathways Fellowship and Public Service Core
She describes the Fellowship for recent graduates and the Public Service Core Program for interns, emphasizing equity and representation.
0:01:59 24 sec
Remarks
Chair Aldebol highlights outreach and Civil Service Ambassador Program
Aldebol notes outreach events, the Civil Service Ambassador Program, and the Office of Citywide Recruitment's partnerships with educational and community organizations.
0:02:23 38 sec
Remarks
Chair Aldebol discusses Office of Citywide Recruitment and outreach expansion
She mentions 308 outreach events in FY2025 and expanded outreach to foster care and juvenile justice facilities.
0:03:01 26 sec
Remarks
Chair Aldebol notes persistent vacancy rates across agencies
Aldebol cites nearly 5% overall vacancy rate, with DSS at 15% and Human Rights Commission at 20%.
0:03:27 25 sec
Remarks
Chair Aldebol addresses hiring delays and challenges for candidates
She notes hiring delays over a year, non-competitive salaries, and limited upskilling, making civil service unattractive.
0:03:51 37 sec
Remarks
Chair Aldebol outlines committee's oversight goals and commitment
Aldebol states the committee will conduct oversight on outreach, youth apprenticeship, and plans for a fully staffed workforce.
0:04:28 58 sec
Remarks
Chair Aldebol thanks staff and recognizes attending council members
She thanks committee staff, her chief of staff, and recognizes Council Members Morano and Hudson.
0:05:26 39 sec
Procedure
Committee counsel administers affirmation to DCAS panel
Council staff administers the affirmation to Deputy Commissioner Katrina Porter and Assistant Commissioner Katie Ann Otar.
0:06:04 33 sec
Agency Testimony
Deputy Commissioner Porter introduces DCAS panel and thanks committee
Katrina Porter introduces herself and Katie Ann Otar, thanks the committee, and begins discussing DCAS career pathway programs.
0:06:37 1 min 16 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter outlines DCAS career pathway programs and shared goals
Porter describes the range of programs from entry-level to specialized professionals, all aimed at bringing top talent into city agencies.
0:07:53 1 min 2 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter announces free civil service exams for high school students and first-time test takers
Starting July 1, 2026, exams are free for NYC high school students and first-time test takers, as part of Local Law 57 compliance.
0:08:55 55 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter highlights translated exam notices and CUNY brochures
DCAS now offers exam notices in any language and distributes brochures to CUNY students to demystify civil service.
0:09:50 1 min 30 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter details Civil Service Pathway Fellowship and its expansion
The two-year fellowship for CUNY graduates has expanded to 400 fellows and a second yearly cohort, with 75% transitioning to full-time jobs.
0:11:20 1 min 29 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter describes Public Service Corps and Summer Internship Program
The Public Service Corps, celebrating 60 years, hosts 120 interns across 13 agencies; the Summer Internship Program hired over 900 interns across 27 agencies.
0:12:49 1 min 26 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter discusses Urban Fellows Program and 55A program
The Urban Fellows Program is a nine-month fellowship with 77% staying on last year; the 55A program allows hiring of qualified persons with disabilities without an exam.
0:14:15 1 min 25 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter emphasizes civil service exams and Bridge Exam
Over 80% of city positions require an exam; DCAS administers 200+ exams yearly and offers the Bridge Exam for multiple positions with one fee.
0:15:40 1 min 18 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter details Office of Citywide Recruitment and outreach efforts
The Office of Citywide Recruitment meets New Yorkers across all boroughs through hiring halls, career fairs, and Civil Service 101 presentations.
0:16:58 1 min 51 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter highlights newsletters, social media growth, and digital strategy
The NYC Jobs newsletter reaches 250,000 people; social media impressions are up 251%, interactions up 329%, and video views up 408%.
0:18:49 1 min 32 sec
Agency Testimony
Porter concludes testimony and offers to answer questions
Porter concludes by emphasizing DCAS's commitment to making civil service faster and more transparent, and offers to answer questions.
0:20:21 2 min 49 sec
Q&A
Morano thanks chair and begins questioning on veteran recruitment
Morano thanks the chair, notes his role on Veterans Committee, and asks what DCAS is doing to recruit veterans beyond referring them to a website.
0:23:10 37 sec
Q&A
Morano asks about NYC Jobs website applications and hires
Morano asks how many of the 1.8 million applications resulted in jobs; Porter says about 20,000 positions were filled, mostly interview-based.
0:23:47 35 sec
Q&A
Morano asks about unfunded positions on jobs website
Morano asks how many applications were for positions without funding; Porter says posted positions are approved to be filled but will get back with concrete numbers.
0:24:21 1 min 12 sec
Q&A
Morano asks about social media metrics and hires
Morano questions whether the impressive social media growth translates to hires; Porter says it's too early to correlate but it's a step in the right direction.
0:25:34 56 sec
Q&A
Morano asks about Staten Island outreach events and hires
Morano notes only seven ambassador events on Staten Island and asks how many Staten Islanders were hired; Porter says they will check and that events focus on information sharing.
0:26:30 3 min 20 sec
Q&A
Hudson questions DCAS on Urban Fellows retention rates
Hudson asks about the drop from 77% to 38% retention in the Urban Fellows Program; Otar explains the program year and factors like vacancies and candidate interest.
0:29:50 2 min 27 sec
Q&A
Hudson asks about hard-to-recruit specialty titles and urgent situations
Hudson asks how DCAS targets recruitment for technical titles and urgent situations like the Legionnaires outbreak; Porter says they can shift exams and use special hiring events.
0:32:17 56 sec
Q&A
Hudson follows up on Legionnaires outbreak and hiring
Hudson asks if any positions were filled during the outbreaks; Porter says hiring happens at agency level and she will follow up with DOHMH.
0:33:13 1 min 15 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about minimum qualifications review
Aldebol asks about the minimum qualifications review; Porter says 116 titles reviewed, 69 amended, and the process is ongoing.
0:34:28 1 min 7 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about decrease in exam applications
Aldebol notes a drop from 166,000 to 119,117 applications; Porter attributes it to the types of exams offered, like sanitation vs. technical titles.
0:35:35 1 min 11 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about exam schedule and hiring from lists
Aldebol asks how frequently DCAS hires from lists; Porter explains lists last up to four years and exams are given on 2-3 year cycles, with police exams monthly.
0:36:46 45 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about time to establish and certify lists
Aldebol asks about the timeline from exam to hire; Porter says median time from exam to list establishment is 101 days, and hiring depends on agency need.
0:37:31 1 min 10 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks why exams take long to score
Aldebol questions the 101-day timeline; Porter explains legally mandated processes like appeals that must be managed before establishing an exam.
0:38:41 2 min 13 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about Legionnaires and emergency hiring
Aldebol notes DOHMH hired quickly for Legionnaires; Porter says DCAS is streamlining and reducing time, with some lists established within 90 days.
0:40:54 1 min 21 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about investigative stage and exam completion
Aldebol asks if investigative stage can be done prior to exam; Porter says they are reimagining the process and agencies can hire from published lists before investigations complete.
0:42:15 2 min 29 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about advice for candidates and expediting process
Aldebol asks what advice DCAS gives candidates facing long waits; Porter and Otar say they inform candidates of multiple pathways and immediate hire opportunities.
0:44:44 1 min 11 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about veterans events
Aldebol asks how many events DCAS held with Veterans Affairs; Otar says she doesn't have the number but they partner on special events like City Talk sessions.
0:45:55 2 min 3 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about Local Law 191 and CUNY courses
Aldebol asks if DCAS recommends specific CUNY courses; Otar says they focus on promoting opportunities and the how-to of getting city jobs, not specific classes.
0:47:58 2 min 7 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about Local Law 192 and advertisement impact
Aldebol asks which advertising modes are most impactful; Otar says they ask applicants how they heard, but responses may be unreliable and timing delays make it hard to measure.
0:50:05 47 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about job fairs advertising
Aldebol asks how DCAS advertises job fairs; Otar lists newsletters, job board, recruitment page, and community organizations.
0:50:52 1 min 8 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about fee waivers tracking
Aldebol asks about tracking fee waivers; Porter says about 2,000 first-time test takers and 57 high schoolers have requested waivers since July.
0:51:59 1 min 58 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about Ambassador Program events and applications
Aldebol notes the increase from 48 to 178 events; Otar clarifies it was 95 in FY24 and says they use targeted outreach but can't directly tie events to applications.
0:53:58 1 min 41 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about juvenile justice and foster care events
Aldebol asks about measurable interest at these locations; Otar says there is interest, especially from justice-impacted individuals who didn't know they could work for the city.
0:55:38 1 min 9 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about justice-involved youth and CUNY referrals
Aldebol asks if DCAS would provide referrals to CUNY courses for justice-involved youth; Porter says they are supportive and will follow up with sister agencies.
0:56:48 1 min 26 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about Fellowship expansion
Aldebol asks about the expansion to 400 fellows; Porter says they need to maximize the 400 positions before going back to the state for further expansion.
0:58:14 2 min 49 sec
Q&A
Restler introduces himself and asks about hard-to-recruit positions and salary review
Restler thanks the chair, notes the need for reform, and asks if there has been a comprehensive review of increasing salaries for hard-to-recruit positions.
1:01:03 2 min 33 sec
Q&A
Restler follows up on cost savings, insourcing, and aging workforce
Restler argues for insourcing and cost savings, and asks about addressing the aging workforce; Porter cites pathway programs and fee waivers as strategies.
1:03:35 1 min 59 sec
Q&A
Restler asks about global accountability from exam to hiring
Restler calls for measuring the entire timeline from exam posting to hiring; Porter says they are in initial stages of tracking but face challenges in a decentralized environment.
1:05:34 44 sec
Q&A
Restler comments on need for City Hall leadership and thanks
Restler says City Hall must hold agencies accountable and provide data, and thanks the panel.
1:06:18 1 min 55 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about agencies being siloed in hiring
Aldebol asks if agencies are siloed; Porter confirms each agency has its own HR and DCAS supports through exams and recruitment.
1:08:13 1 min 8 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about new career track in Fellowship
Aldebol asks about the new customer service and community engagement track; Otar says it was created based on agency needs for outreach roles.
1:09:21 2 min 18 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about tracking fellows who don't pursue city employment
Aldebol asks if DCAS tracks fellows who don't pursue city jobs; Otar says they don't currently survey those who leave but will look into it.
1:11:40 1 min 56 sec
Q&A
Aldebol follows up on completion percentage and reasons for leaving
Aldebol asks what percentage complete the program; Otar says 76% transition to full-time, and reasons for leaving vary, including fit and other opportunities.
1:13:36 1 min 5 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about placement in different agencies
Aldebol asks how placement is determined if fellows go to a different agency; Otar says they go through normal recruitment process.
1:14:40 2 min 23 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about Public Service Corps expansion
Aldebol notes PSC grew from 106 to 122 interns and 7 to 13 agencies; Otar explains they unified teams and did targeted outreach and expos.
1:17:03 1 min 2 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about future goals for PSC
Aldebol asks about future goals; Otar says they are building clear pathways from PSC to Summer Internship to Fellowship.
1:18:05 56 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about tracking PSC interns entering civil service
Aldebol asks how many PSC interns entered civil service; Otar says it's difficult to track due to the program's nature and they are focusing on building continuation.
1:19:01 43 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about federal diversity policies impact
Aldebol asks if federal opposition to DEI has impacted PSC demographics; Otar says they haven't seen any change and continue to engage qualified individuals.
1:19:43 2 min 3 sec
Q&A
Narcisse apologizes for lateness and asks about fee waivers
Narcisse apologizes for being late due to a union event, then asks how many fee waivers were granted and if the process is simple enough.
1:21:46 44 sec
Q&A
Narcisse asks about veterans preference credits
Narcisse asks how many veterans credits were applied and how DCAS informs veterans; Porter says credits are in all marketing materials and they work with Veterans Affairs.
1:22:30 35 sec
Q&A
Narcisse comments on using council members as allies
Narcisse suggests DCAS use council members to spread information about veterans' benefits, and thanks them for their support.
1:23:04 1 min 20 sec
Q&A
Narcisse asks about time from list to start and delays
Narcisse asks how long it takes from being reached on a list to starting the job; Porter says onboarding happens at agency level and DCAS supports streamlining exams.
1:24:24 1 min 40 sec
Q&A
Narcisse comments on tracking and asks about turnover and exit interviews
Narcisse emphasizes the need to track candidates; Otar says they have exit interview surveys and citywide career counselors to help with retention.
1:26:04 52 sec
Q&A
Narcisse thanks DCAS and encourages continued outreach
Narcisse praises outreach to youth and CUNY, encourages union collaboration, and thanks the panel.
1:26:56 2 min 17 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about Youth Apprenticeship program enrollment
Aldebol asks how many youth apprentices have enrolled; Porter says DCAS helped create the title but the program is managed by Mayor's Office of Talent and DOE, so they don't have numbers.
1:29:13 2 min 54 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about SBS hiring halls advertising and agency participation
Aldebol asks how DCAS and SBS advertise career fairs and which agencies participate; Otar says SBS manages events, DCAS amplifies, and many agencies participate.
1:32:07 1 min 4 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about CTE schools as civil service pathway
Aldebol asks if CTE schools count as ambassador program outreach; Otar says yes and they engage through Career Discovery Week.
1:33:11 1 min 3 sec
Q&A
Aldebol asks about data on CTE programs and trade schools
Aldebol asks for data on CTE and trade school outreach; Otar says they will get back with the list and that they target trade schools based on upcoming exams.
1:34:14 1 min 59 sec
Remarks
Aldebol closes questioning and thanks DCAS
Aldebol thanks the DCAS panel for their testimony, shares her own civil service experience, and expresses hope to work together to modernize civil service.
1:36:13 2 min 20 sec
Procedure
Chair Aldebol opens public testimony and gives instructions
Aldebol opens the floor for public testimony, reminds attendees of decorum, and explains the two-minute limit and submission process.
1:38:33 2 min 40 sec
Public Testimony
Michael Hickey testifies on hiring manager challenges
Hickey, former NYC Public Schools leader, describes never being trained on civil service, waiting a year for lists, and the difficult rule-of-three hiring process.
1:41:13 2 min 49 sec
Public Testimony
Rebecca Haywood testifies on civil service modernization
Haywood, former DCAS employee, discusses the 2019 hiring assessment, the need for plain language, and the exclusionary nature of the exam process.
1:44:02 2 min 52 sec
Public Testimony
Catherine Vaughn testifies on removing bottlenecks
Vaughn of Abundance New York applauds DCAS efforts but calls for updating job titles, cutting evaluation timelines, and publishing time-to-hire data.
1:46:54 2 min 40 sec
Public Testimony
Amory Dujardin testifies on speeding up hiring
Dujardin of Citizens Union recommends band scoring, removing exam requirements for licensed roles, and publishing expected timelines for exam results.
1:49:34 9 min 7 sec
Q&A
Chair Aldebol asks public panel what city can implement now without state approval
Aldebol asks for actionable ideas; panelists suggest plain language standards, training for hiring managers, sharing candidate pools across agencies, and continuous recruitment.
1:58:41 54 sec
Procedure
Chair Aldebol closes public testimony and adjourns hearing
Aldebol thanks the administration and public, reminds of written testimony submission, and adjourns the hearing.