§ 36-4-18 - Competitive tests.
SECTION 36-4-18
§ 36-4-18 Competitive tests. – The competitive tests shall be designed to determine fairly the capacity of thepersons examined to perform the duties of the positions in the classes forwhich the lists are prepared. The competitive tests shall be open to applicantswho are residents of the state of Rhode Island; provided, that the personneladministrator may admit to competitive tests for technical, professional, orunusual positions residents of other states. Any resident denied admission toan examination on the grounds of insufficient qualifications as established inthe class specifications involved may, within five (5) calendar days of themailing of the notices, appeal in writing to the administrator of adjudicationfor a hearing or review of the denial. On the basis of the review or hearing,the administrator of adjudication may direct the personnel administrator topermit the appellant to take the examination. The tests may take intoconsideration elements of character, education, aptitude, experience,knowledge, skill, personality, physical fitness, professional license, orspecialized training, and other pertinent matters, and may be written, oral,physical, or in the form of demonstration of skill, or any combination of thesetypes. Public notice of every test shall be given in the manner prescribed bythe personnel rules. Persons having a legitimate and proper interest inexamination questions used in connection with any examination shall be freelyallowed to inspect the questions, when all phases of the examination in whichthe questions were used have been completed under such conditions as shall bespecified in the personnel rules. The final earned rating of each personcompeting in any test shall be determined by the weighted average of the earnedrating on all phases of the test according to weights for each phaseestablished by the personnel administrator in advance of the giving of thetests and published as part of the announcement of the examination. However,the personnel administrator may discontinue the examination process for anycompetitor when it has been determined that the required minimum final earnedrating cannot be attained. All persons competing in any test shall be givenwritten notice of their standing on any employment list or of their failure toattain a place upon the list. The personnel administrator may as deemedappropriate establish broadband examinations for a wide variety of entry and/orother levels of positions which would not be ranked in the traditional manner.The examinations would be ranked only upon certification to an appropriatevacancy and subject to conditions established in the personnel rules and theprovisions of §§ 36-4-4 and 36-4-7 shall not apply to anyappointments which are in the unclassified service. When an appropriate vacancyexists, the appointing authority will certify as to the appropriate knowledge,skills, and abilities required for successful performance in a particularposition or positions. The personnel administrator will then proceed to rankall eligibles who have qualified and possess the requisite knowledge, skills,and abilities.