ARTICLE VII
PERSONNEL

SECTION 8.01 . MERIT SYSTEM ESTABLISHED.

   Appointments and promotions in the administrative service of the city shall be made according to merit, to be ascertained, so far as practicable, by open competitive examinations.

SECTION 8.02 . EXEMPT POSITIONS.

   All positions in the service of the city shall be filled pursuant to open competitive examinations except:

   (1)    Members of the council

   (2)    The clerk of council

   (3)    The city manager

   (4)    The directors of departments

   (5)    Members of boards and commissions appointed by the council, and advisory committees appointed by the city manager.

   (6)    Temporary employees of exceptional, professional, or scientific qualifications engaged as consultants.

SECTION 8.03 . PERSONNEL OFFICER.

   The city manager shall appoint a suitably qualified person to serve part or full time as personnel officer. He shall:

   (1)    Conduct recruitment of qualified persons;

   (2)    Prepare, schedule and hold examinations;

   (3)    Create eligible lists from results of examinations;

   (4)    Certify eligibles to appointing officers;

   (5)    Classify positions and establish job specifications;

   (6)    Certify payrolls;

   (7)    Prepare and recommend to the city manager for approval and publication, necessary rules to establish and maintain the merit system in the city;

   (8)    Develop and conduct training programs;

   (9)    Perform such other duties relating to personnel as the city manager may direct.

SECTION 8.04 . PERSONNEL APPEALS BOARD.

   There shall be a personnel appeals board consisting of three members who shall be selected by the council, one each year for an overlapping term of three years. Each member of the personnel appeals board shall be a qualified elector, known to be in sympathy with the merit principle as applied to the civil service, shall neither hold nor be a candidate for any public office or employment and shall not be a member of any local, state or national committee of a political party or an officer in any partisan political club or organization. Its members shall serve without compensation.

SECTION 8.05 . DUTIES OF PERSONNEL APPEALS BOARD.

   The personnel appeals board shall hear appeals when any officer or employee of the city in the non-exempt service feels aggrieved by any action of the personnel director or the city manager or of any department head, or is suspended, reduced, or removed, and requests such hearing. The board shall make its own rules, choose its own officers, and have authority to subpoena witnesses and to require the production of records.

SECTION 8.06 . CANDIDACY FOR PARTISAN OFFICE.

   No officer or employee in the non-exempt service of the city shall continue therein after becoming a candidate for nomination or election to any partisan public office.