1. Agency identifies a vacancy/need for competitive class position to be filled.  
2. Agency emails the Request for Certification of Eligibles Form (.pdf) to the Human Resources (HR) Exams Unit with copy to HR Associate and Transactions designee. 
3. HR Exams Unit replies to agency with applicable information, either: 
   1. Any eligible list that may be mandatory including promotional, preferred eligible, and/or military lists and instructions regarding requirement to canvass the list. If the list is determined to be mandatory, it must be used and any request for HELPS for the title must be denied.   
   2. Open competitive list and recommendation to canvass the list to allow for a competitive appointment of a qualified applicant, and advisement of the option to make an appointment via HELPS. 
   3. If no list exists, provide advisement of the option to make an appointment via HELPS. 
4. Agencies requesting to proceed with an appointment via HELPS should contact/email their HR Associate to proceed. 
5. Agencies must return the unused open competitive eligible list to the HR Exams Unit indicating that no appointment was made and that they will be using HELPS. 
6. HR Associate will earmark the competitive position and then will create a new HELP roster position number, noting in the roster position comment section the position number of the paired and earmarked permanent position. The new position will include ‘(HELP)’ designation in the title. 
7. HR Associate sends an email/letter with a copy to HR Transactions Unit, informing the agencies of the newly created HELPS roster position number.
8. Agencies will recruit and request verification of qualification of candidate prior to making offer of employment.  
9. Once the application is approved, agencies will submit a Report of Personnel Change (RPC) upon appointment using the HELP title. The timeliness of this RPC is important for documenting time served in the HELPS title for the purpose of a future Qualified Incumbent Examination (QIE).  
10. HELP designations will need to be reflected on the agency’s payroll or else it will be deemed an exception. 

1. Agency identifies a competitive position with a current provisional incumbent that this an approved HELPS title.   
2. Agency contacts their HR Associate and requests creation of position number for HELPS title. 
3. HR Associate will generate a new HELPS position number, earmark the permanent position and noting in the roster card the position number of the paired and earmarked permanent position. The new position will include ‘(HELPS)’ designation in the title.
4. Once HR Associate creates the new HELPS position number, the paired spreadsheet will be updated to reflect the addition.
5. Agencies will submit an RPC upon appointment and include note referencing HELPS. The timeliness of this RPC is important for documenting time served in the HELPS title for the purpose of a future Qualified Incumbent Examination (QIE). 

Qualified Incumbent Exam (QIE) 

A Qualified Incumbent Examination (QIE) is for eligible employees in approved HELP Program titles under the jurisdiction of Dutchess County. To qualify, employees must be permanently employed in a HELP Program title for at least six (6) months.

Employees do not need to file an application. Appointing Authorities will nominate eligible employees to the Dutchess County Department of Human Resources. Upon receipt of the nomination, candidates who meet the eligibility requirement will be placed on the eligible list for the title. 
 
This examination is administered pursuant to Civil Service Law, sections 17.4 and 57 and the Rules for the Classified Service of Dutchess County.

Instructions for Agencies – Qualified Incumbent Exam

1. At the time of probation complete or a minimum of 6 months (whichever is later), employees qualify for a QIE. 
   1. E.g. Agency waives 6-month probationary period or completes the probationary period prior to 6 months; the employee is not eligible for QIE until 6 months have been served in the HELP title.
   2. E.g. Agency appoints a HELPS trainee with a 1-year traineeship, the probationary period of the employee is 1-year, meaning they do not become eligible for QIE until probation is complete.
2. The Agency shall submit a Report of Personnel Change (RPC) to mark the employee’s completed probation, indicating effective date in the “Probation Complete” row of the RPC. This date shall be the final day of the probationary period. On this RPC, agencies should also check the box under “Nomination of QIE”. On this RPC, agencies should also check the box to permanently appoint the employee into the competitive class  position that is paired with the HELPS title in which the employee served the probationary period. 
3. The RPC must be signed by the appointing authority. The submission of the RPC by the agency shall be considered nomination by the appointing authority for the QIE. 
4. Exams will review the RPC, confirm the employee has served the required amount of time in the appropriate title, and will log all relevant information on the QIE eligible list. The exams unit will consult with the HR Associate as needed. Once complete, the exams unit will include a note of approval on the RPC including a reference to the eligible list number (ex. QIE-2026) and send a certification of eligible list to sign and return.
5. Following review and approval by the exams unit, transactions will enter the RPC and note the eligible list number on the roster card entry and will rule the RPC and will make note of the paired roster position number. The HELP position will be earmarked and the paired competitive class position will have the earmark removed.  
6. The completed RPC will be returned to the agency.
7. Through this RPC process the QIE will be considered complete, the employee does not need to file an application but should be notified by the appointing department of their probation complete and their transition into the competitive class position through the successful QIE process.    

HELPS & QIE Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does HELPS waive all minimum qualifications?
A: No. Traditional exams are waived by the HELPS program, but minimum qualifications and other special requirements still apply. 

Q: Does the HELPS program only include entry level titles?
A: No. HELPS has expanded to include jobs at all levels. Confirm the current list of approved titles in the HELP Program at dutchessny.gov/HELPS.

Q: How does a HELPS appointment impact an employee’s probationary period?
A: Employees who are permanently appointed into a HELPS title will serve their probationary period in the HELP title. If appointed temporarily to an encumbered position (AT3) or on a temporary basis (AT), time served does not count towards probationary period until the position becomes unencumbered. Probationary periods are extended for absences pursuant to Dutchess County Civil Service Rules.

Q: Can employees who have been provisional in a title count their time served towards the 6-month requirement for the QIE?
A: No. If an employee initially appointed to a non-HELPS title provisionally later moves into a HELPS title, time served provisionally does count towards probationary period but does not count toward time served for the minimum requirement of six months in a HELPS title for QIE purposes. Probationary periods are extended for absences pursuant to Dutchess County Civil Service Rules.

Q: Why is a QIE necessary?
A: Successful completion of a QIE allows employees to move out of a non-competitive HELPS title and into the permanent competitive class status. This status is important to allow employees to become eligible for certain promotional opportunities and civil service rights. 

Q: When do employees in HELPS titles qualify for a QIE?
A: At the time of probation complete or a minimum of 6 months (whichever is later), employees qualify for a QIE. 

E.g. Department waives 6-month probationary period or completes the probationary period prior to 6 months; the employee is not eligible for QIE until 6 months have been served in the HELP title.

E.g. Department appoints a HELPS trainee with a 1-year traineeship, the probationary period of the employee is 1-year, meaning they do not become eligible for QIE until probation is complete. 

Q: If there is an open-competitive eligible list for a title, but the title is also approved for HELPS, is the hiring department required to canvass the list?
A: No. Open competitive eligible lists are not considered mandatory for titles approved in the HELP Program. However, hiring departments may benefit from canvassing the eligible list when available to identify qualified and interested candidates who are eligible for competitive class appointments to permanent positions. 

Please note, there may be a list of qualified applicants awaiting exam results that is not mandatory that may also be used to fill HELP positions and may be time saving for the hiring process.

Q: If there is a promotional eligible list for a title, but the title is also approved for HELPS, is the hiring department required to canvass the list?
A: Yes. Promotional eligible lists must be canvassed to determine if they are mandatory prior to making a HELPS appointment. Please consult with Human Resources to receive approval to proceed with a HELPS appointment. 

Q: Can a hiring department canvass an open-competitive eligible list and then make a HELPS appointment if the desired candidate is not reachable?
A: Yes. Open competitive eligible lists are not considered mandatory for titles approved in the HELP program.  

Q: What is the difference between hiring from an eligible list and making a HELPS appointment?
A: An appointment from an eligible list allows the employee to be appointed permanently to a competitive class position following the successful completion of a probationary period. By contrast, HELPS provides for appointments to permanent non-competitive positions. In order for employees in HELP titles to gain competitive class status, employees must complete at least 6 months of service in the HELPS title and be nominated by the appointing authority for a QIE. 

Q: Does the HELPS program include promotional titles? 
A: Yes, the NY HELPS program can be used for positions filled through promotion examinations when the promotion eligible list has either been exhausted or made non-mandatory. Confirm the current list of approved titles in the HELP Program at dutchessny.gov/HELPS.

Q: If the competitive exam is offered, should employees take the exam if already hired under the HELP Program? 
A: Employees may choose to take an exam and may be appointed from a competitive eligible list in order to gain competitive class status sooner. It is not required if the title has been approved for HELPs and the appointment has been made, but it may be beneficial to the employee to do so. 

(Updated 7/24/26)
Account Clerks (HELP)
Account Clerk-Typist (HELP)
Accountants (HELP)
Accounting Clerks (HELP)
Accounting Clerks (NY HELPS Program - Local)
Administrative Assistants (HELP)
Administrative Operations Coordinators (HELP)
Administrative School Secretaries (HELP)
Adult Education Coordinators (HELP)
Agricultural Navigator (HELP)
Agronomist (HELP)
All Abilities Program Director (HELP)
Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Workers (HELP)
Animal Control Officers (HELP)
Assistant Communications Director (HELP)
Assistant Director of Highway Construction and Maintenance (HELP)
Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing (HELP)
Assistant Director of Real Property Tax Services (HELP)
Assistant Park Naturalists (HELP)
Assistant Supervisor of Transportation (HELP)
Assistants to School Food Service Director (HELP)
Athletic Trainers (HELP)
Audio Visual Technicians (HELP)
Automotive Services Center Supervisors (HELP)
Behavior Intervention Specialists (HELP)
Behavioral Health Specialists (HELP)
Behavioral Health Specialists II (HELP)
Budget Assistants (HELP)
Building Inspectors I (HELP)
Building Inspectors II (HELP)
Building Maintenance Mechanics II (HVAC) (HELP)
Building Maintenance Mechanics III (HELP)
Building Maintenance Mechanics III (HVAC) (HELP)
Bus Driver – Assistant Dispatchers (HELP)
Bus Driver – Dispatchers (HELP)
Bus Driver – Office Assistants (HELP)
Campus Guards (HELP)
Campus Safety Dispatchers (HELP)
Case Managers I (HELP Program)
Case Managers I (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
Case Managers II (CPS) (HELP Program)
Case Managers II (HELP)
Chemistry Teaching Laboratory Assistants (HELP)
Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer (HELP)
Clerks (HELP)
Clerks (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
Code Enforcement Clerks (HELP)
Communicable Disease Coordinator (HELP)
Communications Specialists (HELP)
Community Benefits Specialists (NY HELPS Program - Local)
Community Engagement Specialists (HELP)
Community Health Nurses (HELP)
Community Investment Program Coordinators (HELP)
Community Mental Health Nurses (HELP)
Community School Administrators (HELP)
Constituent Outreach Representatives (HELP)
Consumer Services Inspectors I (HELP)
Crime Analysts (District Attorney) (HELP)
Crisis Intervention Workers (HELP)
Custodial Supervisors (HELP)
Custodians (HELP)
Cybersecurity Administrators (HELP)
Cybersecurity Analysts (HELP)
Deputy Building Inspectors (HELP)
Director of Highway Construction and Maintenance (HELP)
Director of Human Resources (City of Beacon) (HELP)
Director of Public Health and Disease Prevention (HELP)
District Family Advocates (HELP)
District Family Advocates (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
Domestic Violence Outreach Workers (HELP)
Employment and Training Assistants (HELP)
Enforcement Technicians (HELP)
Environmental Program Director (HELP)
Erosion and Sediment Control Officers (HELP)
Evidence Technicians (HELP)
Executive Aides (HELP)
Family Peer Advocates (HELP)
Financial Analysts (County) (HELP)
Grants Program Coordinators (HELP)
Grants Program Coordinators (Schools) (HELP)
Head Building Maintenance Mechanics (HELP)
Head Custodians (HELP)
Heating and Ventilating Supervisors (HELP)
Heating and Ventilating Technicians (HELP)
Helpline Crisis Counselors (HELP)
Helpline Crisis Counselors II (HELP)
Homeless Shelter Director (HELP)
Human Resources Assistants (HELP)
Human Resources Generalists (HELP)
Information Services Specialists (HELP)
Information Technology Business Administrators (HELP)
Infrastructure Managers (Schools) (HELP)
Instructional Technology Support Assistants (HELP)
Intake Workers (HELP)
Investigators (District Attorney) (HELP)
Junior Accountants (HELP)
Junior Planners (HELP)
Legal Secretaries (HELP)
Librarian Trainees (HELP)
Librarians I (HELP)
Librarians II (HELP)
Librarians Ill (HELP)
Library Aides (HELP)
Library Assistants (HELP)
Library Assistants (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
Library Clerk/School Monitors (HELP)
Library Clerks (DCC) (HELP)
Library Clerks (HELP)
Medicolegal Death Investigators (HELP)
Microcomputer Network Support Specialists (HELP)
Microcomputer Software Assistants (HELP)
Microcomputer Systems Specialists (HELP)
Microcomputer Technicians (HELP)
Microcomputer Virtualization Support Specialists (DCC) (HELP)
Microcomputer/Word Processing Support Assistants (HELP)
Microcomputer/Word Processing Support Assistants (Schools) (HELP)
Motor Vehicle Clerks (HELP)
Municipal Administrative Assistants (HELP)
Municipal Secretaries (HELP)
Network Administrators (DCC) (HELP)
Network Administrators (HELP)
Network Administrators (PKC) (HELP)
Network Support Specialists (HELP)
Network Support Specialists-Law Enforcement (HELP)
Nurse Practitioners (HELP)
Occupational Therapist Assistants (Schools) (HELP)
Occupational Therapists (Schools) (HELP)
Office Assistants (NY HELPS Program - Local)
Office Managers (HELP)
Office Systems Specialists (HELP)
Parks Director (HELP)
Payroll Clerks (HELP)
Personnel Administrator (HELP)
Personnel Assistants (HELP)
Physical Therapists (School) (HELP)
Physical Therapy Assistants (Schools) (HELP)
Planners (HELP)
Police Aides (HELP)
Police Aides (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
Police Dispatchers (HELP)
Principal Account Clerks (HELP)
Program Assistants (HELP)
Program Assistants (Schools) (HELP)
Programmer Analyst Trainees (HELP)
Programmer Analysts (HELP)
Public Health Education Coordinators (HELP)
Public Health Engineering Technicians (HELP)
Public Health Engineers (HELP)
Public Health Nurses (HELP)
Public Health Sanitarians (HELP)
Public Information Officers (HELP)
Public Information Officers (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
Public Safety Call Takers (HELP Program)
Public Safety Dispatcher Trainees (HELP)
Receiving Registry Clerks (HELP)
Receptionists (HELP)
Receptionists (NY HELPS Program - Local)
Receptionists (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
Record Clerks (HELP)
Recovery Coaches (HELP)
Recreation Directors (HELP)
Recreation Leaders (HELP)
Recreation Supervisors (HELP)
Research Assistants (DCC) (HELP)
Safety Coordinators (HELP)
School Case Workers (HELP)
School Community Liaisons (HELP)
School Community Liaisons (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
School Food Service Director I (HELP)
School Food Service Director II (HELP)
School Food Service Director III (HELP)
School Food Service Managers (HELP)
School Information Systems Data Managers (HELP)
School Personnel Associates (HELP)
School Secretaries I (HELP)
School Secretaries II (HELP)
School Secretaries III (HELP)
School Security Monitors (HELP)
Security Guards (HELP)
Senior Account Clerk - Typists (HELP)
Senior Account Clerks (HELP)
Senior Clerks (HELP)
Senior Cook Managers (HELP)
Senior Housekeepers (HELP)
Senior Library Clerks (DCC) (HELP)
Senior Library Clerks (HELP)
Senior Library Clerks (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
Senior Office Assistants (HELP)
Senior Planners (HELP)
Senior Program Assistants (HELP)
Senior Program Assistants (Schools) (HELP)
Senior School Security Monitors (HELP)
Senior Systems Architecture Administrators (DCC) (HELP)
Senior Typists (HELP)
Senior Wastewater Collection Maintenance Mechanics (HELP)
Senior Web Designer Analysts (HELP)
Sheriff Aides (HELP)
Site Managers (HELP)
Social Welfare Workers I (HELP Program)
Software Applications Specialists (HELP)
Software Support Analysts (HELP)
Students' Records Assistants (HELP)
Supervising Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Workers (HELP)
Supervising Criminal Justice Intake Specialists (HELP)
Supervising Helpline Crisis Counselors (HELP)
Supervising Library Clerks (HELP)
Supervising Psychiatrist Medical Director (HELP)
Supervisors of Buildings and Grounds (HELP)
Systems Analysts (GIS) (HELP)
Tax Record Clerks (HELP)
Technology Support Specialists (HELP)
Town Engineering Aides (HELP)
Transit Operations Assistants (HELP)
Transit Operations Supervisors (HELP)
Tree Supervisors (HELP)
Typists (HELP)
Typists (Spanish Speaking) (HELP)
User Services Administrators (HELP)
User Services Liaisons (HELP)
Veterans Outreach Coordinators (HELP)
Village Building Inspector -Zoning Administrators (HELP)
Vocational Counselors (HELP)
Wastewater Collections System Supervisors (PKT) (HELP)
Water and Wastewater Authority Projects Facilitator (HELP)
Water Maintenance Supervisors (HELP)
Water Systems Operators (HELP)
Water Treatment Plant Operators Grade II (HELP)
Water Treatment Specialists (HELP)
Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainees (HELP)
Youth Services Directors (HELP)