(a) Classification of Positions. All positions, unless otherwise noted, shall be grouped into classes or grades and each class or grade shall include those positions sufficiently similar in respect to their duties and responsibilities and which have similar requirements as to training, experience, knowledge and skills, and similar rates of compensation.
(b) Preparation and Content of Classified Service Specifications.
(1) Specifications shall be prepared by the City Administrator and submitted to the Civil Service Commission. These specifications shall define the duties and the desirable qualifications for successful performance of such positions.
(2) The specifications shall not be incorporated into this Chapter, but shall remain on file at the Municipal Building.
(c) Classified Service Plan. The list of class titles for the positions along with the applicable rules regarding the classified service of this and related Chapters shall be the Classified Service Plan.
(d) Allocation of Positions. The City Administrator and the Civil Service Commission shall maintain a record of the allocation of individual positions to appropriate classes and all amendments to the same. Any proposed change in allocation of a classified service position shall be in accordance with this Chapter.
(e) Responsibilities for Administration and Maintenance.
(1) The City Administrator, under the guidance of the Civil Service Commission, shall be responsible for administering, maintaining and modifying the Classified Service Plan. The City Administrator shall provide for the reallocation of any position from one class to another class whenever a change in duties and responsibilities of such a classified position makes the class to which the position was previously allocated no longer applicable.
(2) Upon reallocation of an employee, the City Administrator shall notify in writing such employee and his or her appointing authority setting forth the proposed reallocation, pay range and salary. If the employee or appointing authority desires a hearing, the party shall file a written request within seven (7) days with the City Administrator and the Civil Service Commission. Within thirty days after receiving written notification, the Civil Service Commission shall set the matter for hearing and notify the City Administrator, appointing authority and classified employee of the time and place of the hearing. The parties, along with their legal representation if desired, shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit facts for consideration by the Commission.
(3) No person in classified service shall be reduced in pay or position, laid off, suspended or discharged unless the appointing authority furnishes such employee with a copy of the order, lay off, reduction or suspension and his reasons for the same, and gives such employee a reasonable time in which to make and file an explanation. In response to such action, the Civil Service Commission upon request of the employee shall hold a similar hearing as described above in subsection (e)(2). This does not apply to employees on probationary status pursuant to Chapters 155 and 161.
(f) Changes Shall Be Initiated By the City Administrator and Civil Service Commission and Council. Any changes to the structure of the Classified Service Plan pursuant to this Chapter shall be initiated by the City Administrator. Thereafter, such changes require the approval of the Civil Service Commission and Council, excluding changes to the pay rate addressed below in 159.08.
(g) Employee Requests for Classification Adjustments. Any employee shall have the right to consideration of any request he or she may have with respect to change in the classification of his position (i.e. Classified or Unclassified designation). The employee shall make his or her request to the department head and the department head shall certify to the City Administrator who shall arrive at a decision which is consistent with the Classified Service Plan. If the City Administrator is unable to resolve such request in the manner that the employee is requesting and the employee desires further review, the matter shall be referred to the Civil Service Commission for consideration. Statements of position may be submitted to the Commission by the parties. If a change is suggested by the Commission after the consideration, this decision must be reviewed for approval by the City Administrator and Council to be adopted. The employee carries the burden of persuasion in such an appeal.
(h) Unclassified Employees. The City Administrator shall have the authority and discretion to establish salaries and other terms and conditions for employment for all unclassified personnel, subject to the restrictions of this Chapter.
(1) In the event of the incapacity, retirement, resignation or absence of a department head, the City Administrator shall have the right to appoint an acting department head at the salary or within the salary range fixed by these Chapters.
(i) Advancement to Succeeding Steps. Advancement to succeeding steps in the compensation plan shall be pursuant to Chapter 161. A classified employee may appeal a disapproval of advancement to a succeeding step to the Civil Service Commission by giving written notice of appeal to the Commission and City Administrator within seven (7) days after the date on which the employee learns of such decision. The Commission shall determine whether the action shall be upheld if an appeal is filed by the affected employee. No hearing shall be held, however the affected employee and the administration may submit statements of their respective positions. The employee carries the burden of persuasion in such an appeal. The employee shall have no further appeal rights.
(Ord. C79-79. Passed 12-17-79; Ord. C47-01. Passed 8-6-01.)