New York City offers a lesser-known pathway into municipal employment: positions that bypass the standard civil service exam while still providing the benefits that make public-sector work attractive. These roles range from front-office administrative jobs to behind-the-scenes agency support positions, offering steady pay and access to city insurance plans. For residents not wanting to wait for the next testing cycle, these no-exam openings provide an alternative route into city service.
Exam-Free Listings Hiding in Plain Sight
On the official City Jobs portal, a number of current openings are clearly labeled “No exam required.” One example is an Office Manager role at the Administration for Children’s Services, which lists a salary range of $62,868 to $97,593 and is marked as not requiring an exam, according to City Jobs. The posting also outlines the usual onboarding basics, including residency requirements and standard background checks for new hires.
What the Benefits Look Like
City employees are generally eligible for health plans, pre-tax health care spending accounts, paid holidays, sick leave and retirement benefits, as laid out in city benefit materials and the municipal retirement system. The New York City Employees’ Retirement System explains the city pension program and membership details, as per NYCERS, and a separate city benefits overview describes flexible-spending and other pre-tax options for municipal workers.
Some city documents indicate that certain health plan enrollments and related pre-tax programs are processed on a relatively short timeline and, in some materials, are described as becoming effective after roughly 90 days. A city benefits summary provides that guidance for new hires.
Why Skipping the Exam Matters
The Department of Citywide Administrative Services reports that more than 80% of city government jobs require passing a civil service exam, a process that can come with fees, study time and long waits for test dates and lists. That hurdle has helped fuel calls for tweaks to the system. City Council members have floated waiving exam fees for first-time test takers and high school students as part of broader hearings on how to recruit and keep city workers. Those issues appear in public materials from DCAS and in City Council testimony on civil service exam access…