January 31, 2019

City Opens Civil Service Exam Testing Center in the Bronx

Center Expands Equity and Access to Careers in City Government

NEW YORK – As part of City Hall in Your Borough in the Bronx, the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) today announced the opening of a Civil Service exam testing center in the Bronx. Located at 1932 Arthur Ave, the center helps expand access to Civil Service exams, the first step towards a career in City government. Known as Computer-based Testing & Application Centers (CTACs), these centers have served over 600,000 New Yorkers since the first one opened in Manhattan in 2007. Exams are offered at CTACs six days a week (Monday through Saturday) and help serve the over 120,000 candidates who take a Civil Service exam each year.

“City employees should reflect the rich talents and diversity of all New Yorkers, and this new testing center will make it easier than ever for Bronx residents to access careers in Civil Service,” said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. “Under the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio, we have extended testing centers to each of the five boroughs to ensure greater equity and access to City jobs.”

Prior to the opening of the new CTAC, many Bronx residents had to take Civil Service exams at the nearest locations in Lower Manhattan or Forest Hills. The new CTAC not only ensures access closer to home for nearly 1.5 million Bronx residents, but it offers flexibility, with exams being administered six days a week, including on evenings and Saturdays. CTACs also offer information on City government job postings, voter registration, language translation services, and access to computers to apply for upcoming Civil Service exams.

Last year the City appointed nearly 20,000 employees through Civil Service exams and the City plans to offer nearly 200 Civil Service exams over the current fiscal year.

“Over the last several years, I’ve helped cultivate a stronger relationship between the City Council and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services as the two have worked together to accelerate the City’s efforts to improve public access to career opportunities in civil service,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor. “Today’s announcement further demonstrates this Administration’s commitment to recruiting a diverse and well-trained pool of talent to join our City’s dedicated workforce, one in which the centralized and technologically advanced resources the CTACs offer to applicants have been instrumental. I commend Commissioner Camilo and her colleagues at DCAS for achieving this latest milestone.”

Careers in City government offer good, middle class jobs and the opportunity to serve others. With jobs in everything from public health, to community engagement, to civil engineering, New Yorkers of all backgrounds can find a place in City government. City jobs offer a competitive salary, health benefits, and a pension.

To learn more about careers in City government and upcoming Civil Service exams, visit nyc.gov/dcas.

About DCAS

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) provides value-added and effective shared services to support the operations of New York City government. Its commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides its work with City agencies on recruiting, hiring, and training employees; providing facilities management for 55 public buildings; acquiring, selling, and leasing City property; purchasing more than $1 billion in supplies and equipment each year; and implementing conservation and safety programs throughout the City's facilities and vehicle fleet.

Media Contact:
Nick Benson
Deputy Communications Director
nbenson@dcas.nyc.gov
646-832-6533