(A) The Merit Board shall employ a chief examiner who shall operate under the Board's sole supervision.
(B) The Board shall only employ a person for this position who is qualified and experienced in the field of testing.
(C) The examiner shall design, administer, and evaluate all written tests the Board requires applicants for promotion to take for consideration for promotion. Each applicant for promotion shall be given an oral and written examination to determine the applicant's qualification for promotion.
(D) The examiner shall select a panel of three persons to conduct the oral portion of the exam battery. The panel shall be selected from an agency other than the local Sheriff's office, and the panel members shall be of at least the same rank to which the applicant aspires and of the same field.
(E) Unless the Sheriff certifies that the applicant is not physically fit for promotion, physical fitness shall be presumed.
(F) (1) The composite score of the examination battery shall be calculated as follows:
(a) Sixty five percent for the written examination; and
(b) Thirty-five percent for the oral examination.
(2) An applicant shall receive one seniority point to be added to the composite score for each full year over three full years of service. No applicant shall receive more than ten seniority points. No applicant shall receive a seniority point for serving less than a full year.
(G) Testing and scoring methods shall not depart from, or be inconsistent with, those set out in this section.
(H) The chief examiner shall deliver the final scores of the applicants for promotion, in a manner that will ensure complete privacy and confidentiality of the applicants and their score, directly to the Chair of the Board. The chief examiner shall not release this information to anyone but the Chair of the Board.
(I) Notice of the date, time, and place of examination shall be given no later than 90 days before the examination date.
(J) Promotions shall be filled by the Sheriff from a list of no more than three of the candidates who obtained the highest combined scores on the written and oral examination, including any seniority points, and are physically fit to serve in the new capacity.
(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 164-2007, approved 8-27-2007)