(a) Commission to Rule on Promotional Examinations. Vacancies in positions above the lowest rank or grade or any category in the classified service shall be filled insofar as practicable, as determined by the Commission, by the promotion of employees in the service. The Commission shall, in each case, determine whether an open competitive fitness test shall be held, or whether a promotional examination shall be held among employees whose previous experience would be natural preparation for the higher position. Promotions shall, in every case, involve a definite change in duties and an increase in responsibilities, and shall not be made merely for the purpose of effecting an increase in compensation.
(b) Promotional Examinations. The term "promotional examination" signifies a fitness test, as defined in (e) of this section, which determines the relative standing of applicants for positions in a specified class and is open only to employees in the classified service who, at the time of the examination, are serving in other specified classes for such a period as may be prescribed by the Commission. No employee shall be deemed eligible for a promotion whose last performance rating was less than 80%. If an employee with an80% rating has been reprimanded since their last rating, or if an employee with a higher rating than 80% has been given a disciplinary action of a degree greater than a reprimand since their last rating, the Commission may disapprove said employee's application for promotional examination after first giving them an opportunity to be heard. If the Commission decides to disapprove the application, the reasons for the disapproval shall be stated in writing and a copy shall be given to the applicant.
(c) Announcement of Promotional Examination. Whenever the Commission orders a promotional examination to be held, notice of the examination shall be published by the Commission and posted in the division or divisions in which eligible persons are employed. It shall be the duty of the division head in each division where those eligible are employed to see that each is notified of the examination or has access to the notice.
(d) Application for Promotional Examinations. Each eligible person who desires to compete for promotion must fill out the prescribed application for promotion and present the application at the office of the Commission on or before the closing date specified in the official announcement of the examination. He or she must be able to read and write, and must fill in his or her own application, unless the Commission determines that such abilities are not necessary to perform the duties of the higher position properly. The Commission may reject an application for promotional examination if the applicant has competed in an open or promotional examination for the same or similar class within six months prior to the date of the promotional examination.
(e) Character of Promotional Examinations. All promotional examinations shall be practical in character and shall relate directly to those matters which will fairly test the relative capacity of the person examined to discharge the particular duties of the class of positions to which promotion is sought. Each promotional examination shall consist of the following parts:
(1) Performance ratings. This subject shall consist of the last three years' performance ratings of the employee concerned.
(2) One or more of the following tests:
A. Written tests. This part, when required, shall include written demonstration designed to show a competitor's familiarity with the knowledge involved in the class of positions for which he/she seek appointment, the ability in the use of English, the range of general information, or general educational attainments.
B. Mental tests. This part, when required, shall include any tests to determine intelligence, the general capacity of applicants to adjust their thinking to new problems and conditions of life, or to ascertain special character traits and aptitudes.
C. Practical performance test. This part, when required, shall include such tests of performance or trade as will determine the ability and manual skill of competitors to perform the work involved.
D. Oral interview. This part, when required, shall include a personal interview with competitors for classes of positions when the ability to deal with others, to meet the public, or other personal qualifications are to be determined. An oral test may also be used in examinations where a written test is unnecessary or impracticable.
E. Passing grades on each section. Any candidate who fails to attain a passing grade of 70 shall be considered to have failed the examination, and shall not be examined on any further parts, if any are planned.
F. When a position requires two or more distinct skills or bodies of knowledge, the Commission may devise a separate test on each such separate skill or body of knowledge. Any candidate who fails to attain a passing grade of 70 shall be considered to have failed the examination and shall not be examined on any further parts, if they are planned.
(3) Seniority.
A. This part shall consist of a credit awarded to each competitor on the basis of his continuous service with the municipality. "Continuous service" is defined as that not broken by dismissal or resignation without reinstatement. However, seniority credit is not given for service as an emergency, or provisional employee.
B. An employee whose municipal service is interrupted only by a layoff under 145.11 of this chapter shall receive credit for his service prior to layoff or resignation.
C. An employee whose municipal service is interrupted only by military service shall receive credit for seniority on the basis of his combined municipal and military service.
D. Should a full-time employee achieve a passing grade, the employee shall receive an additional 1 point toward the employee's final score for each year of creditable service, (maximum of four years), and an additional 0.6 points for each year thereafter, (maximum of ten years), culminating in a maximum of 10 points total added credit; however, should the employee receive a failing grade, no additional point(s) will be added for years of service.
E. Should part-time employee achieve a passing grade, the employee shall receive an additional 0.5 points toward the employee's final score for each year of creditable service (maximum ten years); however, should the competitor fail to receive a passing grade, no additional point(s) will be added for years of service.
F. In the event of the employee achieving a passing grade and his/her municipal service has consisted of a mix of full- and part-time employment, in no case shall the employee receive more than 10 points total added credit.
(f) If two or more candidates receive the same final grade on a promotional examination, including seniority credit, the candidate with the greatest seniority will be ranked highest. If two competitors were appointed on the same day, rank on the eligibility list determines relative seniority.
(g) Inspection of Examination Papers. Any applicant may inspect his/her respective examination papers within 30 days after the results of any examination are approved by the Commission or at such other time as authorized by the Commission. However, an applicant may review his/her papers only once. No applicant will be permitted to take notes, copy or reproduce any portion of the examination papers.
(h) Promotion without Examination. The Commission recognizes the following exceptional situations in which it may authorize the promotion without competition of an eligible employee. If a vacancy exists in a classification requiring particular and exceptional qualifications of a scientific, managerial, professional, or educational character, and the appointing authority establishes in writing to the satisfaction of the Commission that only one subordinate employee of the department has such qualifications, promotion may be made and that employee appointed to the position.
(i) Temporary Positions. An interim or temporary appointment to a higher position made necessary be it reason of sickness, disability or other absence of a regular employee may be authorized without examination by the Commission upon the written request of an appointing authority who shall set forth full information regarding such request. All such temporary promotions shall continue only during such period of sickness or disability and shall be recorded in the minutes of the Commission.
(Ord. 1-17. Passed 1-17-17.)