Chapter 2.08 — Merit Personnel System

2.08.010 Purpose.

2.08.020 Rules for administration.

2.08.030 Classification plan.

2.08.040 Salary plan.

2.08.050 Personnel director.

2.08.060 Appointments and employee status.

2.08.070 Merit advancement.

2.08.080 Discharge and disciplinary action.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the establishment of a merit system and personnel program to regulate the appointment, advancement and removal of persons in the employment of the city. The merit system and personnel program shall provide for the analysis and classification of jobs, establishment of adequate and equitable wages, fringe benefits and retirement plans; development of effective recruitment, selection, placement, training,

employee evaluation and promotion programs; assurance of equal employment opportunity of persons consistent with merit principles without regard to race, national origin, politics, religion, age, sex or other nonmerit factors; protection of employees from discrimination, arbitrary removal and political pressures; development and administration of positive employee management relations and communications to promote improvement of personnel management and employer relations by providing a uniform basis for recognizing the rights of city employees to join organizations of their own choice and to represented by such organizations in their employment relationship with the city or to refrain from joining such organizations.

(Ord. 338 § 1, 1979).

The city council shall by resolution adopt rules providing for the administration of the merit system and personnel program.

(Ord. 338 § 2, 1979).

All positions, except those held by elected officers, boards or commissions, shall be included in a classification plan and shall be classified according to the duties and responsibilities in such a way that equitable schedules of compensation may be applied. Each class shall have a title, and a written specification defining the class, describing examples of duties and typical tasks related to the class and setting forth the employment standards and qualifications required of persons appointed to positions in the class.

(Ord. 338 § 4, 1979).

All classes of positions in the classification plan shall be assigned a salary range or rate as provided for by a salary ordinance. Employees appointed to positions in the classification plan shall be paid a salary within the range or rate so provided for in the salary ordinance and according to the procedures established pursuant to Section 2.08.020.

(Ord. 338 § 5, 1979).

A. A personnel director shall be appointed by the city council. The director shall responsible for the administration of merit system and personnel plan.

B. The personnel director shall:

1. Establish methods and procedures necessary for the proper functioning of the merit system and personnel programs;

2. Provide such personnel services and assistance to department heads and employees that will contribute to the efficient conduct of the city’s business;

3. Maintain such records necessary for the effective administration of the merit system and personnel program, including the file for each employee which will be available for review by the employee and authorized persons;

4. Provide the city council with such reports and information as they may require..

• C. Actions of the personnel director may be appealed to the city council.

(Ord. 338 § 3, 1979).

A. All department heads shall be appointed by the city council. Appointed department heads shall serve at the pleasure of the city council.

B. Recommendations for appointments to positions in the classified service shall be made by department heads, and appointment shall be approved by the city council prior to hiring. Regular appointments to positions in the classified service shall only be made from among those persons certified by the personnel director as being qualified applicants for appointment to a particular class of position. Appointments shall be made in writing on forms prescribed by the personnel director. The personnel director shall, before approving any appointment to the classified service, determine that there is a vacancy in an authorized position as allocated in the salary ordinance, that he work to be performed relates to the concepts of the position prescribed in the class specification, and that the appointment was made from among the highest ranking available qualified candidates for the position.

C. A copy of the approved appointment shall be delivered to the finance department before payment shall be made to any employee occupying a position in the classified service. Each employee appointed to a position in the classified service as shown in the salary ordinance who successfully completed a probationary period not to exceed six months shall have permanent status, excepting police officers, who shall have permanent status after a one-year probationary period.

(Ord. 338 § 6, 1979).

An employee in a classified service shall receive a merit pay advancement only upon satisfactory performance and in accordance with the procedures established pursuant to Section 2.08.020.

(Ord. 338 § 7, 1979).

An employee may be discharged, demoted, or suspended only for a reasonable cause. When a department head believes a reason- able cause exists, the employee shall be given a written notice specifying the disciplinary action taken, the effective date and the reason for the action. An employee with permanent status shall have the right to appeal that action pursuant to the rules established under Section 2.08.020.

(Ord. 338 § 8, 1979).