Editor, The Spotlight:
I understand that there is a job opening for a position with the Town of Niskayuna called “Assistant Senior Program Coordinator.” News of this vacancy came to me “through the grapevine” from someone who just happened to be looking at the listing of upcoming Civil Service tests being offered by Schenectady County, and who saw the description of the open job and the date of the corresponding civil service examination. The number for this exam 68-141, and the last date for filing to take the exam is March 12.
What I do not understand is that, as of today, March 5, 2012, if you click on the link called “Job Opportunities” on the Niskayuna town website, there is absolutely no mention of this job opportunity with the town. There are listings to link only to the generic Civil Service application, a Part Time Senior Bus Driver position (which I have been told has been filled), and for Engineering Interns which has been posted for more than a year.
In this economy with so many educated and experienced people looking for work, I find it unconscionable that the Town would choose not to advertise this available position. It has been listed on the Schenectady County Civil Service website for three weeks.
I know the person who currently holds this job title has come under fire in the newspapers’ opinion pages by individuals who have worked for her or attended the town’s senior program.
For the Town of Niskayuna to deliberately not aggressively and openly advertise a job opportunity smacks of political maneuvering. I guess if no one else takes the test, the current political appointment gets to keep her job regardless of whether she is the most qualified and/or experienced to do the job. And, shame on the Civil Service Commission for allowing this sleight of hand to happen in the first place.
Nancy Marcello
Niskayuna