Sec. 21-12. - Discrimination prohibited.

No person in the civil service system, or seeking admission thereto, shall be appointed, reduced or removed, or in any way favored or discriminated against, because of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, religious creed, belief or grooming, sex, gender (including but not limited to gender identity and gender expression), marital status, age, medical condition, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veterans status, political opinions or affiliations, or any other legally protected category.

(Ord. Nos. 353 § 9, 305-A § 12.)

(Ord. No. 6448, § II, 10-3-2023)

Any officer or employee of the classified civil service may be dismissed, suspended or reduced in rank or compensation by the appointing authority after appointment or promotion is complete by a written order, stating specifically the reason for the action. The order shall be filed with the clerk of the board of supervisors and a copy thereof shall be furnished to the person to be dismissed, suspended or reduced.

The officer or employee may reply in writing to the order within ten (10) days from the date of its filing with the clerk of the board of supervisors. The officer or employee may within five (5) days after presentation to them of the order appeal through the clerk of the board of supervisors to the civil service commission from the order. Upon the filing of the appeal, the clerk of the board of supervisors shall forthwith transmit the order and appeal to the civil service commission for hearing.

Within twenty (20) days from the filing of the appeal, the civil service commission shall commence a hearing and either affirm, modify or revoke the order. The appellant may appear personally, produce evidence, and have counsel and a public hearing.

The findings and decision of the civil service commission shall be certified to the department head or officer whose action was the subject of the hearing and forthwith enforced and followed by them.

(Ord. No. 353 § 12A.)

(Ord. No. 6448, § II, 10-3-2023)

Sec. 21-12.2. - [Transfer of employees holding permanently allocated positions.]

Employees holding permanently allocated positions with the Sonoma County Water Agency, community development commission, or the Sonoma County Fair whose positions are transferred to the Sonoma County service by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, shall be granted Sonoma County Civil Service status. For these employees, service with the agency or organization shall be deemed to be service with the county for purposes of accrual, accumulation and use of paid vacation and sick leave, seniority credit, entitlement to salary step, and such other benefits to which the employees would be entitled to had the employees been continuously employed by the county of Sonoma.

Employees holding permanently allocated positions transferred to the classified service, as set forth in paragraph 1 above, who have not served a period of time equivalent to the probationary period shall be considered probationary employees. These employees must serve out any remaining balance of what the county service would deem to be the employee's probationary period for the job classification to which the employee has been assigned within the county service. Employee will be given credit towards completion of the probationary period for all time served in the permanently allocated position with the previous county organization or agency.

Employees of any agency or organization, identified in paragraph 1 above, may transfer (by way of a lateral transfer or promotion), pursuant to the Sonoma County Civil Service Rules, to a position within the county service. Whenever such employees transfer to the County service without a break in pay status with the other agency or organization greater than two (2) working days, service with the agency or organization shall be deemed to be service with the county for purposes of accrual, accumulation and use of paid vacation and sick leave, seniority credit, entitlement to salary step, and such other benefits to which the employees would be entitled to had the employees been continuously employed by the county of Sonoma.

(Ord. No. 353 § 12B; amended 11/8/94)

(Ord. No. 6448, § II, 10-3-2023)