When, if ever, can a local government SPA department not advertise a vacancy (e.g., promote from within?
The regulations governing both state and local government SPA employees make clear that it is never permissible for an SPA employer to simply promote a single individual from within if it has not first advertised the vacancy within the agency or department. If it has advertised within the agency or department, it may select someone from within the agency for the position without advertising any further. This means that an SPA employer cannot make a targeted hire from outside state or local government without advertising. The regulations governing local government SPA employment allow for directed promotion from within advertising only where there has been a formal understudy arrangement entered into with the express understanding that the understudy will move into the promotional position when the current occupant retires.
