Pre-Employment Drug Testing Policy

The City of Rochester requires all potential employees to submit to a pre-employment drug test. The City of Rochester strives to provide a drug free workplace and prohibits the possession, use, purchase, sale or transfer of controlled substances in or on City property or facilities. This policy explains the guidelines for pre-employment testing for controlled substances. 

  • All candidates selected for original appointments to positions with the City of Rochester must submit to a pre-employment drug screen. All offers of employment are conditional pending confirmation of successful completion of this screening.
      
  • Any person who is rehired by the City of Rochester with a break in service of more than 1 month must submit to a pre-employment drug screen. 
  • Pre-employment drug testing for controlled substances is by means of urinalysis or hair sample. The cost of the test will be borne by the City. 
  • The vendor selected by the City will analyze specimens for the following controlled substances: Cocaine, Phencyclidine (PCP), Amphetamines, Opiates. Additional, for positions requiring a commercial driver's license and uniformed positions in the Emergency Communications, Fire, and Police Departments, the vendor selected by the City will analyze specimens for Marijuana in addition to the above additional controlled substances.
  • Any employment candidate under the age of 18 is required to provide an authorized Parental Consent form at the administration of the drug screen. 
  • Any employment candidate for a Civil Service Competitive job with a verified positive drug test result will be removed from the Civil Service eligible list for that job title pursuant to Civil Service Law Section 50.4. 
  • Any employment candidate for a position not in the Civil Service Competitive class with a verified positive result will be prohibited from employment with the City for one (1) year.

Copies of the Pre-Employment Drug Testing Administrative Policy are available by contacting the Department of Human Resource Management at 30 Church Street, Room 103A, Rochester, NY 14614, (585) 428-7115,  HR@cityofrochester.gov.