Court Opinion

ID: 4428125
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-20 19:01:09.085204+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:48.173650
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                            APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
     This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
  internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                      SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                      APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                      DOCKET NO. A-5187-16T2

IN THE MATTER OF ERIC GRACE,
FIRE CAPTAIN (PM0457U),
MARGATE.
________________________________

                 Submitted May 21, 2019 – Decided July 5, 2019

                 Before Judges Rothstadt and Gilson.

                 On appeal from the New Jersey Civil Service
                 Commission, Docket Nos. 2017-2823 and 2018-0259.

                 Levin Weinstock Levin, attorneys for appellant Eric
                 Grace (Oded M. Weinstock, of counsel and on the
                 brief).

                 Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General, attorney for
                 respondent Civil Service Commission (Melissa Dutton
                 Schaffer, Assistant Attorney General, of counsel;
                 Debra A. Allen, Deputy Attorney General, on the brief).

PER CURIAM

       Appellant Eric Grace appeals from a June 26, 2017 final administrative

agency decision of the Civil Service Commission (Commission), which denied

his appeal of certain scores he had received on an examination for the position
of second-level fire captain. In its decision, the Commission also reduced

appellant's scores on two portions of the oral examination, resulting in him

failing the test. Appellant also appeals from an April 2, 2018 decision denying

his petition for reconsideration. Appellant contends that he was entitled to an

evidentiary hearing in the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and that the

Commission's decision was arbitrary and capricious. We disagree and affirm.

                                       I.

      We discern the facts and procedural history from the administrative

record. On May 19, 2016, appellant took an examination for the position of

second-level fire captain. The examination consisted of two parts: a written

multiple-choice test and an oral examination. The oral examination was divided

into three exercises: (1) a fire scenario simulation measuring a candidate's

ability to assess risk factors and implement strategies in fireground command

(Evolving Scenario); (2) a simulation evaluating a candidate's ability to

implement and administrate programs (Administration Scenario); and (3) a fire

scenario simulation assessing a candidate's ability to recognize risk factors and

implement strategies when a potentially hazardous material is involved (Arrival

Scenario).

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      Candidates' responses to the three scenarios were scored based on their

technical knowledge and oral communication abilities.           The scoring was

conducted on a five-point scale, with five as the optimal response, four as a more

than acceptable passing response, three as a minimally acceptable passing

response, two as a less than acceptable response, and one as a much less than

acceptable response. To pass the oral examination, a candidate had to achieve

a minimum average score of two-and-one-half on both technical knowledge and

oral communication ability, and a technical knowledge score of three or higher

on at least two of the exercises.

      The same three panels scored each candidate who took the examination.

Each panel consisted of two individuals: a fire service officer, who held or had

held the title of second-level fire supervisor or higher, and an oral assessor, who

was trained in scoring oral communication abilities.         The panels rated a

candidate's overall performance on each exercise, and assigned the candidate a

score for technical knowledge and a score for oral communication ability.

Thereafter, the Commission converted the raw scores into standardized scores.

      Appellant received an overall examination score of 89.07 and ranked

second on the eligibility list for the second-level fire captain position. On the

oral examination, appellant earned the following raw scores:             Evolving

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Scenario: four for technical knowledge and one for oral communication ability;

Administration Scenario:     five for technical knowledge and four for oral

communication ability; and Arrival Scenario: five for technical knowledge and

three for oral communication ability.

      Appellant filed an appeal with the Commission challenging his

examination scores. Specifically, he challenged his technical knowledge score

for the Evolving Scenario, and his oral communication ability scores for all three

scenarios.

      After reviewing appellant's test materials, including audio and video

recordings of his oral presentations, the Commission issued a June 26, 2017 final

administrative agency decision denying the appeal. On the Evolving Scenario,

the Commission concluded appellant's scores of four for technical knowledge

and one for oral communication ability were correct.               On the oral

communication ability scores for the Administration and Arrival Scenarios, the

Commission determined appellant deserved lower scores than originally

awarded and reduced his score on the Administration Scenario from four to three

and his score on the Arrival Scenario from three to two.           Consequently,

appellant's average raw score fell below the required two-and-one-half and he

was deemed to have failed the test.

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      In a letter dated July 24, 2017, appellant requested the Commission to

reconsider its June 26, 2017 decision. Specifically, appellant requested that the

Commission either reinstate his original scores and eligibility for the second -

level fire captain position, or forward the matter to the OAL for a hearing.

      On August 3, 2017, before the Commission acted on the request for

reconsideration, appellant filed a notice of appeal with us. Thereafter, the

parties agreed to a remand to allow the Commission to consider appellant's

petition for reconsideration.   Accordingly, we remanded the matter to the

Commission for reconsideration of its June 26, 2017 decision, but we also

retained jurisdiction.

      On April 2, 2018, the Commission issued its new final administrative

agency decision, which denied appellant's request for reconsideration.

Appellant now appeals from both the June 26, 2017 and April 2, 2018 decisions

of the Commission.

                                       II.

      Appellant raises two issues on this appeal.         First, he argues the

Commission should have transferred his matter to the OAL for a hearing.

Second, he contends the Commission's scoring and re-scoring processes were

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arbitrary and capricious.    Neither the law nor facts support either of these

arguments.

      Our review of a final administrative agency decision is limited. Stein v.

Dep't of Law & Pub. Safety, 458 N.J. Super. 91, 99 (App. Div. 2019) (citing In

re Stallworth, 208 N.J. 182, 194 (2011)). We will uphold an agency's decision

"unless there is a clear showing that it is arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable,

or that it lacks fair support in the record." J.B. v. N.J. State Parole Bd., 229 N.J.

21, 43 (2017) (quoting In re Herrmann, 192 N.J. 19, 27-28 (2007)).                  In

evaluating whether a decision was arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable, we

examine:

             (1) whether the agency's action violates express or
             implied legislative policies, that is, did the agency
             follow the law; (2) whether the record contains
             substantial evidence to support the findings on which
             the agency based its action; and (3) whether in applying
             the legislative policies to the facts, the agency clearly
             erred in reaching a conclusion that could not reasonably
             have been made on a showing of the relevant factors.

             [In re Stallworth, 208 N.J. at 194 (quoting In re Carter,
             191 N.J. 474, 482-83 (2007)).]

Moreover, a court is "obliged to give due deference to the view of those charged

with the responsibility of implementing legislative programs."                In re

Reallocation of Prob. Officer, 441 N.J. Super. 434, 444 (App. Div. 2015)

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(quoting In re N.J. Pinelands Comm'n Resolution PC4–00–89, 356 N.J. Super.

363, 372 (App. Div. 2003)).

      A.    The Request for a Hearing in the OAL
      Appeals of examinations administered by the Commission are generally

decided on the written record, without a hearing. See N.J.S.A. 11A:2-6(b);

N.J.A.C. 4A:4-6.4(f); N.J.A.C. 4A:2-1.1(d). Specifically, N.J.A.C. 4A:2-1.1(d)

provides that "an appeal will be reviewed on a written record," "[e]xcept where

a hearing is required by law, this chapter[,] N.J.A.C. 4A:8 [(which addresses the

layoff of public employees)], or . . . [the] Commission finds that a material and

controlling dispute of fact exists that can only be resolved by a hearing[.]"

N.J.A.C. 4A:2-1.1 does not require a hearing when a candidate appeals his or

her examination results.

      Thus, the Commission had the authority to determine whether there exists

a "material and controlling dispute of fact" that requires a hearing.        In re

Wiggins, 242 N.J. Super. 342, 345 (App. Div. 1990) (quoting N.J.A.C. 4A:2-

1.1(d)). We review the Commission's decision to grant or deny a hearing under

an abuse of discretion standard. Ibid. "The determination [of] whether [a

material and controlling dispute of fact] exists is one committed to the discretion

of the [Commission], and its decision will be affirmed unless it goes beyond the

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range of sound judgment." Ibid. Courts are especially reluctant to interfere with

the examination process, as it is a legislatively-delegated responsibility of the

Commission. See N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1; Brady v. Dep't of Pers., 149 N.J. 244, 256-

57 (1997).

      Here, appellant argues that he was entitled to a hearing before the OAL

because a factual dispute exists as to the methodology and criteria used in the

scoring and re-scoring of his examination. In that regard, he contends that the

"the record is completely devoid of any reference to the grading methodology

or criteria of grading utilized by the [individuals] who originally scored [his]

examination or those utilized by persons who re-graded the examination." He

also maintains that the record is silent as to the identity and qualifications of the

individuals who scored and re-scored his examination.

      We discern no abuse of discretion in the Commission's decision to deny

appellant a hearing in the OAL. Appellant has presented no evidence of a

material fact in dispute.     Instead, he claims a hearing is needed due to

uncertainties and missing information in the record. Identifying where a record

is incomplete does not establish a dispute over a material fact. See J.D. ex rel.

D.D.H. v. N.J. Div. of Developmental Disabilities, 329 N.J. Super. 516, 525

(App. Div. 2000) (finding a petitioner's "bald allegations" and "naked

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conclusions" insufficient to require an agency to transfer a matter to the OAL).

Furthermore, appellant does not certify, or even assert, that he requested and

was denied access to the information that he argues is missing from the record.

      In addition, the substantial, credible evidence in the record undercuts

appellant's assertions. In the "Candidate Feedback Report" dated October 26,

2016, which was provided to appellant after the initial scoring, the Commission

provided a thorough explanation of its scoring process. In that regard, the report

explains, "[e]ach candidate was scored by three different two person teams of

assessors" and "[a]ll candidates from each different jurisdiction were scored by

the same three teams of assessors."         The report then details the type of

individuals who comprised the teams of assessors. Namely, each team had one

fire service officer who was or had previously been a second-level fire

supervisor and one oral assessor trained in scoring oral communication ability.

      The Commission further detailed its scoring methodology in its June 26,

2017 and April 2, 2018 decisions. Concerning the technical knowledge scores,

the Commission explained that "[p]rior to the administration of the exam, a

panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) determined the scoring criteria, using

generally approved fire command practices, fire fighting practices, and

reference materials." The assessors then based their scoring on the "SME-

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approved possible courses of action." Likewise, the oral communication ability

scoring was based on the assessors' application of predefined "weaknesses."

      Concerning the review process on appeal, the Commission explained that

the reviewers watched and listened to recordings of the candidate's oral

presentation "multiple times" to ensure that they understood the candidate's

responses. The reviewers then re-scored the candidate using the same criteria

as the initial assessors. The Commission further explained that the candidates

were notified that their "scores may go up or down as a result of an appeal."

Finally, regarding the scoring and re-scoring of appellant's examination, the

Commission's June 26, 2017 decision recites at length the initial assessors'

reasons for awarding the scores appellant was challenging and the reviewers'

reasons for either affirming or reducing those scores.

      In short, appellant has presented no evidence showing the Commission

abused its discretion in denying his request for a hearing before the OAL.

      B.    The Commission's Scoring and Re-Scoring Processes

      "[C]ourts will defer to an agency's grading of a civil-service examination

except in the most exceptional of circumstances that disclose a clear abuse of

discretion." Brady, 149 N.J. at 258. To show a clear abuse of discretion, a

candidate needs to demonstrate affirmatively "that the scoring method was

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arbitrary." Id. at 257. We do not routinely review the contents of civil service

examinations and answers to determine if the questions were answered well;

instead, courts "conduct only a limited review of the reasonableness of a grading

system and determine simply whether the testing and grading were clearly

arbitrary." Id. at 258; accord In re Police Sergeant (PM3776V), 176 N.J. 49, 59-

60 (2003). The burden is on the appellant when challenging the scoring of an

examination. N.J.A.C. 4A:4-6.3(a)(1), (b).

      In this case, appellant challenges his oral examination scores.       Oral

examinations are permissible testing techniques under the Civil Service Act,

N.J.S.A. 11A:1-1 to 12-6. See N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1(a); N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.2(a)(2).

See also Herbert v. Civil Serv. Comm'n, 162 N.J. Super. 449, 454 (App. Div.

1978). Indeed, our Supreme Court has recognized that oral examinations "have

great value when properly administered," however, they also "carry with them

patent dangers of abuse and error." Kelly v. Civil Serv. Comm'n, 37 N.J. 450,

459 (1962). Accordingly, "the Commission must conscientiously take special

care and precautions to insure the goal of selections based exclusively on merit

and fitness[.]" Rox v. Dep't of Civil Serv., 141 N.J. Super. 463, 468 (App. Div.

1976) (quoting Kelly, 37 N.J. at 459). Courts will find an oral examination

unreasonable if an appellant demonstrates an "overwhelming probability" that

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the Commission failed to uniformly evaluate each candidate. Herbert, 162 N.J.

Super. at 453.

      Oral examinations often rely on subjective components to assess a

candidate's supervisory abilities. Rox, 141 N.J. Super. at 467 (quoting Kelly,

37 N.J. 460). The existence of such subjective elements is not fatal to the

validity of the test. Ibid. (quoting Kelly, 37 N.J. at 460). Instead, the key for

courts reviewing the scoring of an oral examination is whether "the Commission

fell short of its goal of fair and impartial treatment for all." Herbert, 162 N.J.

Super. at 453.

      Here, neither the initial scoring nor the re-scoring were arbitrary,

capricious, or unreasonable. As previously discussed, during the initial scoring

process, every candidate was scored by the same three panels, who based their

scoring determinations on pre-established criteria for both the technical

knowledge and oral communication ability components.                 Indeed, the

circumstances underlying the instant appeal are comparable to those in Kelly,

wherein the Court approved the Commission's use of the same two-person panel

to administer a uniform oral examination to all candidates. See 37 N.J. at 456,

460-61.

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      As to the Commission's re-scoring methods, appellant maintains they were

arbitrary and capricious because only his examination was re-scored and it is

unclear who conducted that re-scoring and what criteria was applied. Appellant

further contends it was arbitrary and capricious for the Commission to reduce

his scores to such a degree as to alter his eligibility status for the position.

      As an initial matter, the Commission has the discretion to raise or reduce

an examination score when reviewing a challenge to that score. See N.J.S.A.

11A:4-1; N.J.A.C. 4A:4-6.3; Artaserse v. Dep't of Civil Serv., 37 N.J. Super. 98,

105 (App. Div. 1955). Thus, appellant's argument that it was per se arbitrary

and capricious to lower his score is meritless.

      Next, appellant has not demonstrated an "overwhelming probability" that

the reviewers applied a different standard than the initial assessors or that the

re-scoring process was otherwise "manifestly corrupt, arbitrary, capricious , or

conspicuously unreasonable." Herbert, 162 N.J. Super. at 453-54 (quoting Rox,

141 N.J. Super. at 467). The Commission explained that the reviewers used the

same scoring criteria and point system as the initial assessors. See id. at 454

(affirming Commission's scoring of an oral examination by different examining

teams where "[t]he nature of the questions and the controlled method of

analyzing the answers and assigning values to them established a degree of

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uniformity which could be applied by all of the examining teams"); DiGiovanna

v. Dep't Civil Serv., 166 N.J. Super. 280, 283 (App. Div. 1979) (requiring

appellant to show an "overwhelming probability" that certain examiners

"applied the evaluative guidelines and graded the candidates on a more stringent

basis" than other examiners).

      Moreover, appellant's speculation concerning who conducted the review

and re-scoring is insufficient to satisfy his burden of proof. See N.J.A.C. 4A:4-

6.3(b); Brady, 149 N.J. at 257-58; Artaserse, 37 N.J. Super. at 105. There is no

requirement that the reviewers be the same individuals who conducted the initial

assessment.    As there is no evidence demonstrating the reviewers were

unqualified to score the examination, their unknown identity does not undercut

the validity of the re-scoring.

      Finally, that only appellant's examination was re-scored does not create

an overwhelming probability that he was subjected to a more stringent grading

process. Indeed, the record reveals only one difference between the re -scoring

process and the initial scoring process. Namely, the reviewers reached their

scoring decisions after repeatedly listening to and watching the recording of

appellant's oral presentations. During the initial scoring, the assessors scored

the candidates immediately after the in-person presentations; thus, the initial

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assessors could not replay the presentations before scoring the candidate. That

difference alone, however, does not demonstrate that the appellate reviewers

applied different standards or more stringently reviewed the examination.

Rather, the record supports a finding that the reviewers applied the same scoring

criteria and point system as the initial assessors.

      Accordingly, appellant has failed to affirmatively demonstrate that the

scoring or re-scoring of his oral examination "was patently arbitrary, capricious,

corrupt or otherwise illegal."    Herbert, 162 N.J. Super. at 454 (first citing

Zicherman v. Dep't Civil Serv., 40 N.J. 347, 351 (1963); then citing Flanagan v.

Dep't of Civil Serv., 29 N.J. 1, 12 (1959); and then citing Artaserse, 37 N.J.

Super. at 105).

      Affirmed.

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