(a) Eligibility. Any person in the classified service may be examined for promotion pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, without regard to time or seniority served or held in the present grade.
(b) Method of Promotion. Promotion in the classified service shall be made on the basis of examination by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, particularly at Section 135.09
hereof.
All examinations for promotion shall be competitive among all members of the next lower rank or class immediately beneath the rank or class of the vacant position to be filled, provided however, that not fewer than three persons shall be certified to compete in such examination. In the event that fewer than three persons are eligible for promotion from the next lower rank or class or, for any other reason, the Commission is advised that fewer than three persons are willing to compete in any proposed promotional examination, then all members of the second lower rank or class shall be eligible to compete in such proposed promotional examination.
(c) Certification. Whenever a promotion is to be made in the classified service, the appointing authority shall make a written request to the Commission for the certification of eligible candidates. Upon receipt of such request, the Commission shall certify to the appointing authority the names and addresses of three persons standing highest upon the promotional examination given pursuant to Section 135.17
(b) hereof, provided however, that no person shall be certified to the appointment authority who has previously been removed from the service of the City for cause.
(d) Appointment. The appointing authority shall promote any one of the three persons certified to such appointing authority by the Commission.