Civil Service Opportunities
1. Purpose and Scope
This Privacy Policy describes how the Erie County Department of Personnel (the “Department”) collects, uses, maintains, and discloses information in connection with its SMS and mobile messaging program.
The Department uses text messages to communicate about employment applications, recruitment, interview scheduling, civil service examinations, examination results and related notifications, benefits information, health insurance enrollment and documentation deadlines, employment status, and other authorized personnel and civil service matters.
This policy applies to the Department's mobile messaging program and supplements other applicable Erie County privacy notices, policies, and legal requirements.
2. Information We Collect
Depending on your interaction with the Department, we may collect or maintain the following information in connection with mobile messaging:
- Contact information: Mobile telephone number, name, and other contact information provided to the Department.
- Consent records: Records of your consent to receive text messages, including the method and date of consent when recorded.
- Messaging preferences: Records of opt-in, opt-out, STOP, HELP, and other requests concerning your participation in the messaging program.
- Message records: Information about messages sent or received, including message content, delivery status, and timestamps, as available.
- Related administrative information: Information necessary to identify the relevant employment application, civil service examination, benefits matter, or other personnel-related communication.
The Department collects only information reasonably necessary to administer its messaging program and carry out its authorized functions, subject to applicable law and records-management requirements.
3. How We Use Information
The Department may use information collected through its mobile messaging program to:
- Send authorized employment, recruitment, civil service, benefits, and administrative notifications.
- Communicate deadlines, scheduling information, application updates, and requests for required documentation.
- Verify and maintain records of consent and messaging preferences.
- Process opt-out requests and respond to requests for assistance.
- Maintain records and comply with applicable legal, regulatory, auditing, and public-records requirements.
- Administer, troubleshoot, secure, and improve the messaging service.
The Department does not use this messaging program to send marketing or promotional messages.
4. Sharing and Disclosure of Information
The Department does not sell mobile telephone numbers or SMS consent information. Mobile telephone numbers and SMS consent data will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.
The Department may disclose or make information available in the following circumstances:
- Service providers: To third-party vendors, including SMS platform providers, that process information on the Department's behalf to deliver, administer, secure, or support the messaging service.
- Legal obligations: When disclosure is required or permitted by applicable law, court order, subpoena, or other lawful process.
- Government operations: When necessary for authorized governmental functions, consistent with applicable law and relevant privacy protections.
- Public records and records retention: As required by the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), applicable records-retention requirements, or other legal obligations. Applicable exemptions and confidentiality protections will be considered when responding to requests.
Third-party service providers may process information as necessary to provide services to the Department, subject to applicable contractual and legal requirements.
5. Consent and Messaging Preferences
The Department sends text messages in accordance with applicable consent requirements and the scope of the recipient's consent.
Providing a telephone number to the Department does not, by itself, necessarily constitute consent to receive text messages. Where consent is required, the Department will use an applicable consent mechanism and maintain records as appropriate.
You may withdraw your consent to receive messages by replying STOP to a Department text message. You may reply HELP for assistance or contact the Department using the information below.
Opting out of text messages does not necessarily prevent the Department from communicating with you through other lawful channels, such as email, postal mail, telephone, or official notices.
6. Data Security and Retention
The Department takes reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect information associated with its messaging program against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or alteration.
Information is retained in accordance with applicable law, County records-management practices, contractual requirements, and operational needs. Consent, opt-out, and message records may be retained when necessary to document communications, demonstrate compliance, or satisfy applicable records-retention obligations.
No method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and the Department cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Third-Party Services
The Department may use third-party messaging platforms to deliver and administer text messages. Those platforms may process information necessary to provide their services.
Your use of wireless carrier services is also subject to the terms and privacy practices of your carrier. The Department is not responsible for the independent privacy practices of third parties outside its control.
8. Changes to This Policy
The Department may update this Privacy Policy as its messaging practices, technology, or legal obligations change. The current version and its effective date will be made available through the Department's website or applicable messaging enrollment process.
Changes to the scope of consent will be handled in accordance with applicable requirements.
9. Contact Information
For questions about this Privacy Policy or the Department's mobile messaging program, contact:
Erie County Department of Personnel
95 Franklin Street, Room 604
Buffalo, NY 14202
Telephone: 716-858-8484
Email: civilservice@erie.gov
Website: https://www3.erie.gov/employment
Effective Date: October 20, 2026