Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission approves multiple staffing changes, creates temporary police lieutenant slot

The Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission on an administrative agenda approved multiple personnel actions across city departments, created a temporary fifth lieutenant slot in the police department and accepted changes to school transportation titles and eligible lists.

The actions, taken at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission, included appointments for public works, recreation and schools; a temporary classified position for the police department; provisional hires in animal control and parking enforcement; completed probationary periods in fire and school transportation; and the creation and amendment of eligible lists for upcoming competitive appointments.

Commissioners Joanna Zangrando, Jeff Altamari and Chairperson Tim Holmes took the votes. Staff coordinator Carissa Salvo presented most personnel items and Christiane Budge served as senior clerk for the meeting.

In public works, the commission approved three new labor-class hires for the department: two full-time, union positions and one seasonal, nonunion position through September. The commission also approved a noncompetitive-class appointment for Matthew Fryhoffer as a maintenance mechanic assigned to the urban forestry crew, with a reported start date of Aug. 4, 2025. Salvo noted Fryhoffer will work alongside the city arborist, Steve Lashem.

In the finance department, the commission approved an exempt-class appointment for an executive assistant to the commissioner of finance. The appointee was identified by first name only as Shafi; the appointment is effective July 15 through Dec. 31, 2025. Salvo said the position could be reconsidered by the next commissioner of finance in 2026.

Public safety items included the temporary creation of a fifth classified lieutenant slot in the police department, intended to be in place for approximately six months to accommodate upcoming retirements and a leave by the chief. The commission approved the creation of that additional position slot; Salvo said a certified list for lieutenant exists and would be used should the department request certification when filling the slot.

Also approved were completed probationary periods for a fire captain and a fire lieutenant, and the return of several fire personnel to their permanent titles after an administrative-leave period for the permanent fire chief. Salvo described the return as a reversion of temporarily encumbered higher-level duties back to the incumbents' permanent positions.

The commission approved provisional appointments for an animal control officer/parking enforcement officer, a move Salvo said was necessary because a related civil service exam series ordered in October 2023 remains pending at the state level.

Recreation appointments approved included eight seasonal Camp Saradoc counselors, two part-time recreation assistants and one part-time recreation specialist. School-related actions included approval of three noncompetitive cooks, 13 temporary summer cleaners (labor class), and acceptance of five completed probationary periods for school bus drivers.

On school transportation, the commission formalized a set of title changes the Board of Education had approved: the abolition of the prior school bus dispatcher and transportation routing specialist titles and the creation of three competitive titles of School Bus Dispatcher/Routing Specialist (effective July 1, 2025). Salvo said affected employees moved into the new titles with no break in pay or benefits and without requiring a new exam; the commission also approved the corresponding establishment and amendment of preferred eligible lists. The commission approved a motion to lay off two school bus dispatchers and one transportation routing specialist as part of the title consolidation; Salvo said those individuals accepted placement in the new titles and remained employed.

Salvo reported the commission established a police officer eligible list from a May 2025 holding that contains 47 individuals. She also noted New York State Civil Service is offering the entry-level law enforcement exam series twice a year for the first time; the September announcement is active and final grades for that round will likely arrive later in the year.

All motions on the published personnel agenda were approved by voice vote. No formal roll-call vote with recorded member-by-member tallies was given in the transcript for the individual items; the minutes will reflect the approvals and the names and dates associated with those personnel actions.

The commission set its next meeting date for Aug. 27 and adjourned at the close of the session.