Yes, civil service employees can transfer by job title across departments and to any municipality in New York State. They cannot transfer positions across states. Also, within New York State, employees can transfer to different job positions if the civil service exam for that particular job is comparable to the exam of the previously held position. In transferring employees must follow internal transfer protocols. Tests are required for impartiality.
Tests allow candidates to be evaluated purely on merit.
However, tests alone do not determine whether a candidate gets a job. The top three scorers must go through an interview process, where anyone of them has an equally likely chance of being hired. At this point, a previous job or a degree in the identified field may make you a more attractive candidate. The best way to prepare for the civil service examinations is to use one of the study guides available for that particular field. Some State provided study guides are posted on the Tompkins County website.