July 8, 2014
Dear Assessors:
The Dallas Police and Civil Service Departments are delighted to have you participate in our Sergeant assessment center from August 18 – August 22, 2014. Training and the assessment center will take place at the Dallas Convention Center (A-Area Meeting Rooms) located at 650 S. Griffin Street, Dallas TX 75202-5005
HOTEL All assessors will be staying at the Adolphus Hotel located at 1321 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202. Rooms will be reserved and paid for by the City of Dallas. There is nothing additional you need to do regarding your hotel room. You will be responsible for any incidental expenses incurred at the hotel (e.g., personal telephone calls, movies, room service, extra nights, etc.).
TRAVEL The travel agency the City of Dallas is using is National Travel Systems. Please call this agency directly to make flight arrangements by Friday, August 1, 2014. You will need to arrive in Dallas on Sunday, August 17, 2014 and make your return flights for Saturday, August 23, 2014. Your contact person at the agency is Sandy Sanzotta (; 800-814-3336 ext. 151). Please reference the code “CVS Sergeant” when you make your reservations. Travel reservations will also be paid by the City of Dallas. The City of Dallas will pay for up to two checked bags. These charges will need to be paid up front by you but will be reimbursed. You will need to submit receipts. You will be responsible for any other charges (e.g., baggage that is over the weight/size limit, more than two bags, etc.). All reservations must be made no later than Friday, August 1, 2014 to take advantage of the most economical fares. We generally purchase nonrefundable fares. If there is any chance that you cannot fulfill your commitment to the Dallas Police Department Sergeant assessment center, please notify me immediately and do not make any flight reservations. Unless you are willing to reimburse the City of Dallas or you can use the airfare for another City of Dallas Police assessment center within one year, if scheduled, we cannot recoup the cost of the booked flight.
If you wish to drive, please contact me or Lily Patel for pre-approval. You will be reimbursed for mileage or the cost of airfare, whichever is less expensive. You will need to provide the departure address and the route you plan to drive. The mileage reimbursement rate is 56.0 cents per mile.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION You may use any of the shuttles for transportation to/from the airport/hotel. We have allotted $80 of reimbursement for this expense (round trip).
MEALS Breakfast and lunch will be provided on August 18 – August 22, 2014 at the Convention Center. You will need to pay for meals not provided. You will receive a stipend/reimbursement to cover these expenses; no receipts will be required.
To assist us in preparing breakfast and lunch menus for this process, please let me know if you have any special dietary needs so we can make accommodations. Please send me an e-mail with this information no later than Friday, July 25, 2014.
ATTIRE The attire during assessor training (Monday, August 18 and Tuesday, August 19) is business casual. On the days candidates are assessed (August 20 - 22), the attire is standard business (e.g., suit, slacks with jacket, or shirt and tie with slacks for males. Female business attire refers to a suit, dress blouse with slacks or skirt, or dress). Do not wear department uniforms of any kind. During this time of the year, the average temperature ranges from 77 - 96 degrees (F). The average rainfall is 1.90 inches. Please plan to dress accordingly.
PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES Test security is of utmost importance for all individuals involved in the promotional process including Civil Service, the Dallas Police Department, assessors and candidates. Please complete the attached test security agreement and return it to me by Friday, July 25, 2014.
In preparation for the training sessions, I have attached some preliminary training information. Please read this material prior to the training. A Dallas Police Department representative will be available at the assessor training to answer any question you may have. There should be no contact with any members of the Dallas Police Department.
REIMBURSEMENTS You will receive a reimbursement/stipend of up to $486.50 to cover expenses such as meals not provided during the assessment center, baggage fees, and ground transportation. Payment will be sent to you after the completion of the assessment center. It usually takes a few weeks for you to receive your checks.
The City of Dallas requires that you register as a vendor to receive a stipend/reimbursement. If you have not participated in an assessment center for the City of Dallas, you will need to register as a vendor. I have attached the instructions. Please complete this process by Friday, July 25, 2014. If you have served as an assessor for Dallas, you are registered and have a vendor number. However, please access the system to ensure your information is accurate.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Lily Patel (214.670.3740 (Office); ). We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Michelle Hanchard
Assistant Director
City of Dallas
Civil Service Department
214.670.3752 (Office)
214.762.9686 (Cell)
c: Patricia Marsolais, Secretary, Civil Service Department
Lily Patel, Civil Service Department
Test Development/Validation Team
Sandy Sanzotta, National Travel Systems
CVS-FRM-091 Version 1 Eff. 5/9/2016