Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I apply for civil service job opportunities?
Effective Thursday, March 28, 2019, civil service recruit-to-hire functions (i.e., job application, job posting, testing, eligibility review, qualification determination, civil service hire/selection policy, reinstatement, transfer and reassignment policy, examination score and result, civil service employment record, veterans' preference, ADA accommodation, etc.) as well as other employment topics transferred to the Governor's Office of Administration in accordance with Act 71 of 2018. To obtain information on how to apply for civil service job opportunities, please visit www.employment.pa.gov. Questions regarding the application process may be submitted through the OA “Contact Us" form or via telephone at (717) 787-7811.
2. How do I contact the Commission for general information?
Business Address:
State Civil Service Commission
Strawberry Square
Bowman Tower, 4th Floor
320 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Mailing Address:
State Civil Service Commission
P.O. Box 569
320 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0569
RA-CS-EXEC_DIR@pa.gov
Phone: (717) 783-8806
Fax: (717) 783-8736
3. How do I contact the Commission for hearing or appeal information?
Inquiries related to the civil service appeal process, or a specific appeal can be emailed to the Legal Services Office at ra-cs-legalsvcsQandA@pa.gov. It is recommended inquiries be sent by email. However, if you choose to call, please contact (717) 783-2924.
4. Where can I park when visiting the Commission?
https://parkharrisburg.com
5. What are the Commission's hours of operation?
The Commission's office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you need to drop off hearing/appeal related documents, please contact the Legal Services Office at (717) 783-2924 or ra-cs-legalsvcsQandA@pa.gov in advance to coordinate arrangements to do so.
6. Can I attend a Commission “Monthly Public Meeting?"
Yes. Commission meetings are open to the public and are typically held each month at Commission headquarters in Harrisburg. The Monthly Public Meeting schedule is published on the website. If you are interested in attending a meeting virtually or in-person, please visit the Commission's website for additional information at www.scsc.pa.gov or contact the Executive Office at (717) 783-8806.
7. How do I file a Right-to-Know request?
Information about filing a request for records under the Right-to-Know Law may be found at https://www.scsc.pa.gov/Pages/right-to-know.aspx. The Commission's policy for Right-to-Know requests is available at https://www.scsc.pa.gov/Documents/Right-to-Know%20Policy.pdf.
HEARINGS AND APPEALS
8. What is a civil service appeal hearing?
A civil service hearing follows a procedure similar to, but not quite as formal as, a regular court room proceeding. The hearings are open to the public. Witnesses are sworn in, evidence is introduced, and both sides have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. Presiding over the hearing will be one or all of the State Civil Service Commissioners, or a Hearing Officer. (The law does not require a Commissioner to be present at the hearing). However, the record of the hearing (transcripts, exhibits, and briefs will be reviewed by each Commissioner before voting on a decision). Statements of witnesses will not be accepted as evidence. If you want a witness to testify, the witness must be at the hearing. If you need a subpoena to require a witness to attend the hearing, the Commission will issue a subpoena for you to serve the witness.
9. Who may file a civil service appeal?
Any regular or probationary employee in the classified service, or jobseeker, may appeal a personnel action(s). See the Appeals Information Booklet for additional information.
10. How do I file my appeal?
You will need to complete and submit an Appeal Request Form. A copy of this form and the “Appeals Information Booklet" is found on the Commission's website at www.scsc.pa.gov under “Hearings and Appeals" and then “Individuals Filing Appeals". The Appeal Request Form must be signed and dated by you and must be filled out carefully and completely. If not, the appeal may be delayed or denied.
11. Will I need an attorney?
Rules of the Commission provide you may represent yourself (pro se) at an appeal hearing. You are NOT required to hire an attorney, but it may be advantageous to do so. However, you cannot be represented by a non-legal person, such as a friend or spouse. If you elect to do so, you are responsible for securing your own attorney. Many County Associations have a lawyer referral service. The lawyer referral service can assist you in identifying an appropriate attorney, but you are entirely responsible for negotiating and paying attorney fees.
12. Can I be reimbursed for court costs and attorney fees?
No. The Award of Fees and Expenses for Administrative Agency Actions (Cost Act), 71 P.S. 2031 et seq., expired on July 1, 2007, and has not been reenacted or amended. The Commonwealth Court has held that there is no other statutory authority authorizing the Commission to award fees.
13. If I change my mind after filing an appeal, can my appeal be withdrawn?
Yes, you can withdraw your appeal at any time prior to a final decision by the Commission. However, if you withdraw your appeal, that will be a final decision and, barring extraordinary circumstances, you cannot resubmit that appeal.
14. Is there a time limit to file an appeal, and when does the time limit start?
Appeals must be postmarked or received by the Commission office within twenty (20) calendar days of the date the employee receives notice of the personnel action(s) or becomes aware that discrimination has occurred. The twenty days start on the day the employee receives notice of the personnel action(s); the notice may be written (letter) or verbal.
15. When will my appeal form be reviewed, and when will I be notified if I am granted a hearing?
The Commission meets once a month to review all new appeals. Commission decisions on new appeals are communicated via an order or hearing notice that is mailed to the parties after the meeting is concluded. The Commission Monthly Public Meeting schedule is posted online.
16. Why was a probationary employee not granted his/her request for an appeal hearing?
A probationary status employee does not have the same right of appeal as a regular status employee. To be granted an appeal hearing, a probationary status employee must allege that the personnel action was motivated by discrimination. It is not sufficient just to claim you are a victim of discrimination. The probationary status employee must allege specific facts which would support a conclusion that discrimination did occur. These specific facts should include: 1) the acts complained of; 2) how those acts differ from the way the appointing authority dealt with others similarly situated; 3) when the acts occurred; and 4) when and how appellant first became aware of the alleged discrimination. If the probationary status employee fails to allege specific facts that support the discrimination claim, then the request for an appeal hearing will be denied by the Commission due to an insufficient allegation of discrimination.
17. Does the Commission provide interpreters for appellants who have limited English proficiency or who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Yes, the Court and Administrative Proceeding Interpreter Certification Law (Act 172) requires the presiding officer at a hearing before the Commission appoint an interpreter upon request or on his/her own motion for persons with limited English proficiency or who are deaf or hard of hearing. The cost of providing the interpreter will be paid by the Commission. For more information, click here.
18. Will the Commission continue my hearing to another date?
A continuance request will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances. The request must specify facts supporting the request, state the opposing party's position on the request, and include at least 3 dates for rescheduling the hearing. A request for continuance should be submitted as soon as possible.
19. How do I request a subpoena?
There are two types of subpoena requests (witness subpoena and document subpoena). For detailed information on how to file a request for a subpoena, please click here.
20. Can a final decision of the Commission be appealed?
Yes. An appeal can be submitted to the Commission for reconsideration within fifteen (15) calendar days of the mailing date of the Commission's decision. It can also be appealed to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania within thirty (30) calendar days of the mailing date of the Commission's decision.
21. How is a Request for Reconsideration filed?
A Request for Reconsideration must be in writing and must state precisely what is objected to in the Commission's decision. Consult the Rules of the Civil Service Commission for more information.
22. Are copies of the hearing transcript available?
You may contact the Legal Services Office to arrange a visit to the Commission's Harrisburg office to review a copy of a transcript. However, the Commission cannot provide you with your own personal copy; you must review it at our office. A transcript may be purchased from the court reporting service (The Sargent's Group, 210 Main Street, Johnstown, PA 15901: (800) 727-4349 ext. 137).
FURLOUGH APPEALS
23. I received notice that I am being furloughed from my civil service position. Do I have a right to appeal the personnel action?
Yes. If you are a regular status civil service employee, you have a right to appeal your furlough to the Commission. You must file within twenty (20) calendar days of the date you received the furlough notice. If you submit your appeal during this timeframe, a hearing will be scheduled and held. At that time representatives of the agency that furloughed you are required to defend the decision by showing their action was based either on a lack of work or lack of funds.
If you are a probationary status civil service employee and received a furlough notice you may appeal to the Commission, but you must present a claim of discrimination in order to be granted a hearing. The discrimination claim must relate to unequal treatment based on one or more of the following: political affiliation, religious opinion, labor union affiliation, race, national origin, sex, age, disability, mistake-of-fact by the agency, illegal procedure followed to implement furlough, or some other basis not related to job performance.
24. What will happen when I file a furlough appeal?
If you are a regular status civil service employee and have submitted your Appeal Request Form within the twenty (20) calendar days, the Commission will grant your request for a hearing. You and the agency that furloughed you will be notified by United Parcel Service (UPS) of the date, time, and type of hearing. The hearing will be scheduled as soon as possible.
If you are a probationary status civil service employee, the Commission will grant your request for a hearing only if you have presented an acceptable claim of discrimination. If you are a probationary employee whose Appeal Request Form has been denied, you will receive prompt notice of the denial and be given an opportunity to seek reconsideration.
25. What will happen at my furlough hearing?
If you are a regular status civil service employee who has been furloughed, the agency that furloughed you will have the burden of proof at the hearing. This means the agency will be required to prove your furlough is justified due to either a lack of work or lack of funds. The agency will also be required to prove to the Commission it followed all of the procedures required in order to properly implement a civil service furlough. As a regular status civil service employee, you will have no burden of proof at the hearing. You will, however, be expected to respond to the agency's evidence if you dispute its accuracy. You may respond by presenting either documents or testimony of your own.
If you are a probationary status civil service employee who has been furloughed, it will be your responsibility to provide the Commission with evidence proving your discrimination claim. After you have presented your evidence, the agency that furloughed you will have an opportunity to explain why your furlough is justified either due to a lack of work or lack of funds. The Commission will then decide whether it believes you were discriminated against or you were properly furloughed.
26. What will happen after the furlough hearing is over?
After a hearing is complete, a transcript will be prepared and submitted to the Commission. Both parties at the hearing may also have an opportunity to present written statements (legal Briefs) which will be due within a period of time established by the Commission after a discussion at the conclusion of the hearing. After the hearing if there are no Briefs or after the last Brief is received the record is closed. Following the close of the record, the Commission generally has ninety (90) calendar days to review the full record and issue a decision. A copy of the Commission's decision will be mailed to the parties and the attorneys involved in the hearing. A copy of the decision will also be posted on the Commission's website at www.scsc.pa.gov under “Hearings and Appeals" and then “Civil Service Adjudications".
27. If my position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, can I file a grievance?
If you are in a bargaining unit position, you may be able to file a grievance to challenge your furlough. You will need to contact your union representative to discuss the specific requirements of filing a union grievance. Generally, most contracts prohibit an employee from pursuing both a union grievance and a civil service appeal to challenge the same personnel action. Therefore, you should carefully consider and discuss with your union representative which option is right for you before filing a civil service appeal.
28. If I win my furlough appeal, what will happen?
The Commission will order you be reinstated to the position you had with the agency with backpay, benefits and restored seniority for time you were furloughed.
29. If I lose my furlough appeal, what can I do?
Every decision made by the Commission can be appealed to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. That appeal must be filed within thirty (30) calendar days after the date the Commission decision is mailed to you. In addition, you may also request the Commission reconsider its decision. You must submit a reconsideration request within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date decision is mailed to you.
30. My furlough involves an issue arising from my "bumping" rights, either because I was improperly "bumped" from my job, or because I believe I had the right to "bump" someone else from theirs. Will the Commission decide this issue if I appeal?
No, the Commission will not review that issue. Act 71 of 2018 and Rules of the Commission make no mention whatsoever of "bumping." Such rights, if any exist, are exclusively a product of collective bargaining and are only provided for in union contracts. If the primary basis for your appeal involves an issue arising from an alleged error in how "bumping" was used in your furlough, you should file a union grievance appeal, not a civil service appeal.
Last updated May 3, 2024.