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Civil Service


The Human Resources Department administers New York State Civil Service requirements for the County Government, the Towns, and Villages, as well as, School Districts and Special Districts within Cattaraugus County. The Civil Service System provides an orderly method of personnel transaction including classification, selection, and retention. Civil Service regulates various personnel activities of employees through their careers in government, such as their appointment, promotion, transfer and separation. New York State has a "merit system" of public employment whose goal is to ensure that employees in the public service are selected from among those who are the most highly qualified, generally through competitive examination.

View a more complete overview of Civil Service.


Employee Benefit Administration


The Human Resources Department conducts all new employee orientations. This activity acquaints employees with the benefits offered by the County, e.g., Major Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance, New York State and Local Retirement Pension Plan, Deferred Compensation Savings Plan optional election, Employee Assistance Program (ESI). 

Human Resources Department Staff work closely with third party vendors and/or plan representatives.  Questions regarding employee benefits should be referred to the Plan vendor (phone number should be on the back of insurance card) or to the Cattaraugus County Employee Benefit's Assistant at 716-938-2285.  We are happy to assist.  Please allow time for staff to communicate with the vendor, if appropriate.  For more detail on specific plan information, please also see the Risk Management page. 


Employee Relations


The Human Resources Department handles the negotiations for the collective bargaining agreements (CSEA). We negotiate the contracts, respond to contract interpretation, respond to grievance procedures and arbitrations. This office also responds to improper practices and all other issues relative to contract administration.


Labor/Management Committee


The Cattaraugus County-CSEA Labor/Management Committee (LMC) has existed since 1979 as part of a CSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Committee, which is comprised of representatives from a Civil Service Employees' Association (CSEA) and Cattaraugus County Management, works to openly and cooperatively address issues of mutual interest and concern which are neither contractual nor personal grievances. Workplace safety and security, employee health education, cost containment, recruitment and retention, alternative work schedules, and performance appraisals are just some of the topics the Committee has addressed over the years.

The LMC process is unique in that all decisions are made by consensus rather than majority vote. This means that, if any one person is not comfortable with a proposed solution, there is no consensus and the solution must be reworked to the point where every member of the Committee can support the final outcome. Consensus ensures that each member has an equal voice in decision making and equal ownership of the outcomes.

The LMC Program provides a forum for employees at all levels to take an active part in improving the quality of their work and the quality of their work environment. Staff are encouraged to get involved in the process by contacting their representatives with questions, ideas and suggestions; participating in surveys; and volunteering for subcommittees.