ALBANY COUNTY — The county has opened a Civil Service portal for people to apply for local government jobs: albany-portal.mycivilservice.com.

“Anyone looking to work with Albany County or one of our more than 35 towns, villages, schools, police departments and special districts can now apply and pay for Civil Service exams on their computer or phone,” said Daniel McCoy, the county’s executive, in a release announcing the new portal.

“Applicants will now be able to review job specifications, test scores, and their ranking on the Certified Eligible Lists in one place, and even receive notifications when new exams are announced,” McCoy went on. “A virtually paperless system means more staff can work remotely during the pandemic, we’re producing less waste, and the entire system is more efficient. And I’m proud to say that we are now waiving the exam fees for our veterans to reduce barriers to employment.”

Before this, all applications were handwritten and submitted on paper, communications to applicants were sent through the mail, and records were recorded on paper. The Albany County Department of Civil Service will still accept traditional handwritten/printed applications so those without computer access can apply for exams.

Once pandemic restrictions are lifted, computers will be available to the public to sign up at 112 State Street and at job fairs. The Civil Service Department is also instituting a policy to accept cash, as well as check and credit cards, for Civil Service Exams to make Civil Service employment available to everyone. Applicants still have to take the actual Civil Service exam in person.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer