Personnel

The Personnel Office is responsible for hiring, benefits administration, labor relations, safety, training, and diversity issues. Hiring for the majority of jobs in the City of Elmira requires appointment through a Civil Service Examination administered by the Chemung County/City of Elmira Regional Civil Service Commission.

Information for examinations can be obtained at the Chemung County/City of Elmira Regional Civil Service Commission Office at the Hazlett Building or on their website.
Regional Civil Service Commission on chemungcountyny.gov

The City of Elmira does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital status.

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

The City of Elmira is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Elmira employs individuals in the following occupational areas:

• Police Officer
• Firefighter
• Clerical
• General Administration
• Accounting
• Information Technology
• Skilled Trades
• Maintenance and Grounds
• Solid Waste Collection
• Automotive Mechanic

All jobs in government fall under the Civil Service System. A “Civil Service” employee can be anyone from a secretary to a nurse, a mechanic, a laboratory technician, a truck driver, a building inspector, an electrician, or a teacher aide. However, different Civil Service jobs have different requirements.

City of Elmira Employment Application

All Police and Fire employees are competitive positions and are considered, interviewed, and hired based on the list provided by the Regional Civil Service Commission. To be hired into these positions, you must take the exam and score well enough to make the list.  When a vacancy occurs, the City of Elmira will seek applicants to fill the vacancy from the civil service list
Click here for more on Police Employment
Click here for more on Fire Employment 

Continuous recruitment positions often do not require a Civil Service Exam. These positions are part time or temporary positions that are filled based on need. Current continuous recruitment positions are:

• Laborer: for seasonal work such as mowing or street work and golf course maintenance
• Kennel Worker: part time for work required at the Elmira Animal Shelter
• Crossing Guard Substitute: part time to fill in for crossing guards

Those interested should complete the City of Elmira Employment Application and submit it to the Personnel Office. Personnel will keep all applications on file and review them when a position becomes available.

Competitive positions require that vacancies be filled from an established list of qualified candidates from the Regional Civil Service Commission. If you are interested in a position with the City and it is a Civil Service tested position, you can apply when the test has been announced and only during that time frame listed on the exam announcement. Before you apply, you should check the announcement to see if you meet the minimum qualifications and/or possible residency requirements.Your next step would be to complete a Civil Service application and return the application to the Chemung County/City of Elmira Regional Civil Service Commission.  You will be notified of the determination of your application. At a  later date, you will be notified of the place, date and time of the exam.   After you have competed in the exam, you would be notified of your final rating, and, if successful in the exam, your place on the eligible list.   If and when there is a vacancy, you will be mailed a canvass letter which will indicate your interest in this vacancy. These candidates would be entered on a Certified Eligible List, by the Regional Civil Service Commission.

Exempt and Non-Competitive Positions are hired or appointed in a manner similar to private industry. These positions have specific qualifications or educational requirements. When a vacancy occurs in one of these positions, the City of Elmira will advertise the vacancy and the requirements for the position All department head positions are exempt and non-competitive.

If you have questions about employment and opportunities with the City of Elmira, please contact Personnel.
Click here to send email to Personnel

We welcome inquiries from individuals regarding permanent employment, internships, or volunteering to gain valuable work experience.