Grass Valley Municipal Code Ch. 2.36 Personnel

The Grass Valley City Charter Article IX establishes a civil service system for the City of Grass Valley. Said system was established to provide an equitable and uniform procedure for the administration of merit system personnel who shall be designated as members of the "Classified Service". Under the charter persons in the merit system shall be employed on the basis of merit and fitness so that the best qualified persons available are brought into and remain in the service of the city. It is not the intent of this article to usurp or otherwise interfere with those powers and duties granted unto the personnel commission in said charter.

(Ord. 475 § 1 (part), 1991: prior code § 1-7.010)

All positions within the employment of the city at the time of adoption of this ordinance shall be part of the classified service subject to the Merit System, except those positions excluded under Section 2.36.030 or exempted under Section 2.36.040 below.

(Ord. 475 § 1 (part), 1991: prior code § 1-7.020)

The following offices, positions or employments within the city, hereinafter referred to as "exempt service positions" are totally excluded from the scope of this chapter and are not subject to the merit system:

A. Elected officers;

B. Members of appointed boards and commissions and committees;

C. Persons engaged under contract or agreement who supply expert, professional, technical or any other services;

D. Volunteer personnel including, but not limited to, firefighters and volunteer fire department officers;

E. Emergency employees who are hired to meet the immediate requirements of an emergency condition, such as extraordinary fire, flood or earthquake which threatens life or property;

F. Nonpermanent, hourly, extra help, seasonal or other temporary employees;

G. Such other positions as the appointing authority shall create as exempt positions.

(Ord. 475 § 1 (part), 1991: prior code § 1-7.030; Ord. No. 07-688, § 1, 12-11-2007)

The following positions within the city, hereinafter referred to as (department heads) "executive service employees" are exempt from the classified service:

A. The city administrator/R.D.A. executive director;

B. Police chief;

C. Fire chief;

D. Director of finance;

E. Community development director;

F. Human resources manager;

G. City clerk;

H. Public works director/city engineer;

I. Such other positions as the appointing authority shall create as executive service positions.

(Ord. 475 § 1 (part), 1991: prior code § 1-7.040; Ord. No. 07-688, § 2, 12-11-2007)

A. At the time of creation of any new positions in city employment, the appointing authority shall determine whether the position shall be exempt or part of the classified service, and so notify the personnel commission in writing.

B. In making this determination, the appointing authority shall consider the charter's requirement for "an equitable and uniform procedure for the administration of personnel matters," and avoid, where practical, the creation of positions, whose classification as exempt or merit system is inconsistent with the classification of existing similar positions.

C. In the event a position is not clearly designated as exempt or part of the classified service, it shall be exempt until expressly included in the classified service by official action of the appointing authority.

(Ord. 475 § 1 (part), 1991: prior code § 1-7.050)

Employment in the classified service of the city shall be regulated by rules adopted by the personnel commission and by such supplementary regulations and procedures as adopted by the city council.

(Ord. 475 § 1 (part), 1991: prior code § 1-7.060)

The city council will, by ordinance or resolution, regulate the employment and compensation of exempt and executive service employees. The personnel commission shall have no authority in connection with exempt or executive service employees, unless authorized by the city council.

(Ord. 475 § 1 (part), 1991: prior code § 1-7.070; Ord. No. 07-688, § 2, 12-11-2007)

The appointing authority may utilize whatever selection system it deems appropriate for the selection and appointment of an exempt or executive service employee.

(Ord. 475 § 1 (part), 1991; prior code § 1-7.080; Ord. No. 07-688, § 2, 12-11-2007)

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, state law, city Charter or written agreement duly executed by the city and employee, exempt and executive service employees serve at the will and pleasure of their appointing authority, and have no vested right to their position. No cause or notice need be given for termination of exempt or executive service employees.

(Ord. 475 § 1 (part), 1991; prior code § 1-7.090; Ord. No. 07-688, § 2, 12-11-2007)