By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Ruben Rivera clocked 28 years as a loyal Parks Dept. employee, never called in sick in the last seven years, but was never made a permanent civil servant.

Joe Bascia took two exams for a permanent slot in the Parks Dept. His score excluded him from the top 150 who were made civil servants in the 1980s. Sharon Bowman worked as a City Park Worker for 18 years. Although she advanced to Crew Chief and passed an exam 15 years ago, the infamous “1-in-3” rule barred her from advancement.

The three were steady at their jobs keeping Bronx parks clean. Still they were among hundreds trapped in a city agency plagued with delayed tests, expired promotional lists and accusations of racial bias. But everything recently changed for them and 245 other Parks workers.

“My job was never secure as a provisional. I could get fired for any reason, like if the boss just didn’t like me anymore,” Ms. Bowman said. “But this time I finally made it.”

In April, the three were among the 248 Parks workers who — after 20 years or more each as seasonal employees — finally achieved civil service status as Associate Parks Service Workers.

Local 983 convinced management to offer the Associate Parks Service Worker exam to the labor-class CPW title as a promotional test.

“We asked that there be no open-competitive test offered to the public, therefore guaranteeing all these jobs to our union brothers and sisters,” said Local President Mark Rosenthal. “We re-established a career ladder where there had been none for some time.”

Through classes offered by the DC 37 Education Fund, about 700 members prepared for the APSW exam and 425 passed. Parks interviewed over 300 candidates and promoted 248 from the list, which lasts four years. The 248 new APSWs are the largest group promoted in Parks history.

Former Local 1505 members make up the majority of the promotees, whose new title means a pay increase of about $8,000. Local President Michael Hood said he was glad “Parkies have the chance to move ahead,” although their advancement would reduce Local 1505’s membership.

“The Parks Department is usually hardest hit when there are layoffs,” said Mr. Rosenthal, “but we fought hard for civil service status for these members.”

“Before, advancement was impossible without an advocate,” said 17-year parkie Lester Polite. “Overtime and extra details like crew chief were often denied.” Now that he’s permanent, Mr. Polite said, “I’m glad for the step-up. I passed the test and no one can take that away from me.”