Chico Municipal Code § 2.72.010 Adoption

The personnel system set forth in this chapter is hereby adopted in order to establish an equitable and uniform procedure for dealing with personnel matters and to place municipal employment on a merit basis so that the best qualified persons available shall be brought into the service of the city.

(Prior code §2.74 (Ord. 669))

The personnel policy of the city is hereby declared to be as follows:

A. Employment in the city government shall be based on merit and fitness;

B. Just and equitable incentives and conditions of employment shall be established and maintained to promote efficiency and economy in the operation of the city government;

C. Positions having similar duties and responsibilities shall be classified and compensated on a uniform basis;

D. Appointments, promotions and other actions requiring the application of the merit principle should be based on systematic tests or other appropriate evaluations;

E. High morale shall be maintained by fair administration of this chapter and by every consideration of the rights and interests of employees consistent with the best interests of the public and the city; and

F. Employment shall be subject to the good behavior and satisfactory performance of work by the employee, and to the necessity for the performance of work and the availability of funds by the city.

(Prior code §2.75 (Ord. 669))

The provisions of this chapter (except the provisions of Sections 2.72.010 through 2.72.070) shall apply only to the classified service.

(Prior code §2.76 (Ord. 669))

The officers and employees of the city, as well as others rendering services thereto, are divided into either the exempt service or the classified service.

(Prior code §2.77 (Ord. 669))

The exempt service shall include the following:

A. All officers of the city;

B. Volunteer personnel and personnel appointed to serve without pay;

C. Consultants, counsel rendering professional services, and independent contractors; and

D. Any position which is not specifically included within the classification plan and pay plan for the classified service as adopted from time to time by council resolution.

(Prior code §2.78 (Ord. 669))

The classified service shall include all positions of the city as are specifically set forth in the classification plan established by the city manager and in the pay plan adopted by council resolution.

(Prior code § 2.79 (Ord. 669, Ord. 1292 §4 (part)))

After submission to the city manager for comment, the council may contract with any person or public agency for:

A. The conduct of competitive examinations to ascertain the fitness of applicants for positions and employment in the classified service.

B. The performance of any other service in connection with personnel selection or administration.

(Prior code § 2.80 (Ord. 669, Ord. l292 §4 (part )), Ord. 2268)

Personnel rules as well as any revision or amendment thereof shall be adopted by council resolution.

(Prior code §2.81 (Ord. 669))

Rules pertaining to the personnel system may include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

A. Preparation, installation, maintenance, amendment, and revision of a classification plan covering all positions in the classified service, including job descriptions, minimum standards and qualifications;

B. Preparation, installation, maintenance, amendment, and revision of a pay plan directly correlated with the classification plan;

C. Manner of giving notice of all job openings and acceptance of applications therefor;

D. Employment procedures and employment lists resulting therefrom;

E. Certification and appointment of persons from employment lists and the making of temporary and emergency appointments;

F. Evaluation of employees during the probationary period;

G. Transfer, promotion, demotion and reinstatement of employees in the classified service;

H. Separation of employees from the classified service through layoff, suspension, or discharge;

I. Determination of hours of work, overtime, sick leave, vacation, holidays, leave of absence, training, and other working conditions;

J. Provision for orderly and equitable presentation by an employee to the employee’s appointing authority relating to general conditions of employment; and

K. Establishment, maintenance, and use of a personnel records system.

(Prior code §2.82 (Ord. 669), Ord. 2268)

The functions of the human resources director, or City Manager designee, shall include the following powers and duties:

A. To administer applicable provisions of this chapter and of the rules pertaining to city employment which may not be specifically reserved to the council, the Charter commissions or the city manager; and

B. To prepare and recommend revisions of or amendments to this chapter or any other rules, plans or regulations of the city concerning human resources administration.

(Ord. 2324 §8,Ord. 2439 §21, Ord. 2493 §2)

Appointments to vacant positions in the classified service shall be made by the appropriate appointing power, as set forth in the Charter, in accordance with this chapter and the personnel rules.

(Prior code §2.85 (Ord. 669))

An employee in the classified service shall have the right to a hearing relative to any disciplinary action as provided in such rules or regulations pertaining to city employment as may from time to time be adopted by the city council.

(Prior code § 2.86 (Ord. 669, Ord. l292 §6))

Whenever in the judgment of the council it becomes necessary in the interest of economy or because the necessity for the position or employment involved no longer exists, the council may abolish any position or employment in the classified service and lay off, demote, or transfer the employee holding such position or employment without filing written charges and without the right of appeal. If within two years an appointment is to be made to any position or employment in any existing or new class having the same or substantially similar qualifications and duties as the position abolished, the employee laid off, demoted or transferred shall have the right to such appointment, unless the employee shall file a waiver in writing with the human resources director; or, if laid off, the employee shall fail to report to the human resources director within 20 working days after notice is mailed to the employee’s last known address.

(Prior code §2.87 (Ord. 669, Ord. 2113 §3), Ord. 2268, Ord. 2364 §59, Ord. 2439 §22, Ord. 2493 §3)