Advancement to the higher groups of salary rates shall be made on the basis of efficiency and seniority within the department, as shown by the records thereof kept in the office of the civil service commission.
Any officer or employee shall become eligible for advancement and may be advanced from a lower salary group to the next higher salary group within a grade in the classified service when a vacancy in such higher group exists, after such officer or employee shall have served in such lower group by actual employment for at least a period specified in the rules of the civil service commission. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to mean that it shall be mandatory upon the comptroller or treasurer to pay or advance an officer or employee to the next higher salary group within a grade of service because such officer or employee has served in the lower group the minimum period of time specified in the schedules as established by the civil service commission.
(Prior code § 25-33)