Civil Service Exams

Applications

Applications may be obtained in person at the office of Civil Service or by mailing a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a written request for such application. Additionally, applications may be filed online.

How to file - Applications must be filed within the filing period Monday through Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. in person at the office of Civil Service, by U.S Mail, (application must be post marked on or before the final filing date) or online


Examination Application Fee

The non-refundable examination fee is $15 per application, unless otherwise stated on the examination announcement.

The non-refundable examination fee for uniformed service applications, including but not limited to those for the Police and Fire Departments, is $25 per application.

Application Fee

Application processing fees must be submitted by cash, check or money order when submitting in person or by mail, and by means of credit or debit card when applying online. The application fee must accompany your application.

Waiver

If requesting an application fee waiver, you must submit a paper application to Civil Service. Paper application, fee waiver form, and verification of waiver type are available at, and must be submitted to, the Civil Service Office (Room 1001 City Hall) at time of filing the application. If payment is submitted, a fee waiver will not be accepted.

Please Note

Civil Service reserves the right to accept applications for an examination subsequent to the filing period but prior to the date of the examination for an adequate reason.

Fingerprints may be required at the time of appointment; with a fee paid by the appointee.


Veterans

If you are entitled to Veteran's credits, you must claim these credits when you file your application along with a copy of your DD214 military discharge. There is an option to waive veteran's points any time prior to appointment. A claim for veteran’s credits must be made on every individual application filed, regardless of whether previous credits were claimed on other applications filed with the City, or claimed on other applications filed with another municipality within New York State. Please note, that if your veteran’s credits have previously been claimed for purposes of your hiring, they may not be claimed again on future applications.

Physical / Medical Standards

A medical examination may be required before appointment. The City of Buffalo applies the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act in all hiring practices.

Examination

The examination and selection of qualified candidates will be implemented in compliance with the New York State Civil Service Law and Rules and Regulations of the local Civil Service Division. Most examinations are prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service in accordance with Civil Service Law, and the provisions of the New York State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

Reporting to the Exam

Notice to report to the exam will be mailed to you prior to the examination date. Call this office if you have not received your notice three days before the date of the test.

Weather Conditions on Day of Exam

In the event of severe weather conditions on the day of the examination, please listen to the following radio / TV stations for postponement or delay in the starting time of the administration of the examination: 

  • WBEN 550
  • WGR 930
  • WKSE 98.5
  • WLKK 102.5
  • WTSS 107.7-FM Radio or WIVB-TV (Channel 4)
  • WWKB 1520 a.m. Radio
  • WWWS 1400

If no such announcement is made, you must presume that the examination will be administered as scheduled.

Multiple Exams

If you are taking civil service examinations with other municipalities on the same date that you are taking an examination with the City, you must notify the City and all other municipalities of these examination conflicts, such that the municipalities can make testing arrangements in advance of two weeks before the examination. You may notify the City of an examination conflict by using the Cross-Filer Form.


Saturday Religious Observers - Handicapped Persons

If special arrangements for testing are required, please mark the appropriate section on the application and file a supplemental form with your application. These forms may be obtained at the Civil Service Office, 1001 City Hall upon request.

In accordance with State Law and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the City of Buffalo does not discriminate against persons with disabilities.

Change of Address

Change of Address notification must be made in writing to the Buffalo Civil Service Office. Please include name, previous address, new address, social security number, email and title of examinations for which you have applied. Photo identification must be provided with such requests. Change of Address forms may also be found online.

Residence

Residency requirements for all positions are specified on the examination announcements and job applications.