(a) Examinations may be held at such places as the Commission deems advisable and shall be administered under the direction of the Commission in accordance with the Commission policy.
(b) Notice of examination.
(1) Entrance examinations. Notice of competitive entrance examinations shall be given in a manner determined by the Commission by advertising same in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Mentor and by posting notices in such places as may be deemed advisable.
(2) Promotional examinations. Notice of competitive promotional examinations to be held shall be given by the posting of bulletins in conspicuous places in the departments whose employees may be interested or may be by individual written communication to the employee eligible for such promotion. Such notice shall be given not less than 30 days prior to the examination.
(c) Identity of Examinees. All persons taking promotional examinations shall be concealed by the use of an identification number which shall be used on all examination papers. Any written examinations bearing the name of the applicant or any other identification mark shall be rejected and the applicant so notified.
(1969 Code 33.45)
(d) Scope: Content and Standards thereof:
(1) Entrance Examinations.
A. Written Examination. Applicants for the Police and Fire Departments shall be required to pass a written examination. Written examinations shall be practical in character and shall relate to those matters which will fairly test the relative capacity of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the position for which appointment is sought. The Commission shall prescribe the content of each written examination but shall consult with the City Manager and department head, relative to the content of each examination. Written examinations shall be graded on a scale of 100%, a passing grade being 70% or greater. No person with a score of less than 70% on the written examination shall be certified to an eligible list.
(Ord. 08-O-56. Passed 6-3-08.)
B. Credit for Military Service. Applicants who have proof of an honorable discharge (DD214) or of current active duty service in “good standing”, will have an additional two (2) points added to their passing grade on the written exam, effective for eligibility lists created after August 1, 2010. The proof of this service must be received by the Civil Service Secretary by the last day of filing applications. (Ord. 10-O-69. Passed 8-17-10.)
C. Additional Credits for Firefighter Applicants. Applicants who receive a passing grade on the written examination for the position of Firefighter and are active in their employment as Part-Time Mentor Firefighters, shall receive an additional one (1) point of credit for each full year of service as a Mentor Part-Time Firefighter, provided that they have worked a minimum of 1000 station hours for each year of service credit requested. Years of service must be continuous to be considered and will be based on the applicant's anniversary date. A maximum of five (5) points total may be granted for service as a Part-Time Mentor Firefighter. Applicants will be awarded service credit as of the last day of filing application. Applicants who receive a passing grade on the written examination for the position of Firefighter, who have successfully completed the Ohio Full-time Firefighter Recruit Training Program, shall receive an additional credit of two (2) points.
(Ord. 10-O-76. Passed 9-7-10.)
D. Additional Credits for Police Applicants. Applicants who receive a passing grade on the written examination for the position of Police Officer, who have successfully completed a Police Academy and currently hold an Ohio Police Certification, shall receive an additional credit of two (2) points added to their grade. Applicants who receive a passing grade on the written examination for the position of Police Officer, who have achieved an Associates Degree at an accredited university or college as determined by the United States Secretary of Education as published in the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, or the successor entity thereof, or who have accumulated class credits equal to two (2) complete years in pursuit of a four-year degree at an accredited university or college, credits which are recognized by the accredited university or college in which the applicant is enrolled for the degree program, shall receive an additional credit of two (2) points added to their grade.
(Ord. 12-O-10. Passed 2-7-12.)
E. Physical Agility Examination. Prior to appointment, applicants for the Police and Fire Departments shall be required to pass a physical agility examination designed to determine the capacity to discharge the duties of the position for which appointment is sought. The Commission shall prescribe the activities and standards for each physical agility examination, but shall consult with the City Manager and department head relative to same. The name of any applicant who the City Manager determines to be unsuited for appointment based upon criteria established for the physical agility examination shall be recommended for removal by the Commission from the eligible list.
F. Background Examination. Prior to appointment, a background examination shall be conducted in a manner prescribed by the City Manager in order to determine the suitability of an applicant for appointment. The name of any applicant who the City Manager determines to be unsuited for appointment based upon criteria established for the background examination, shall be recommended for removal by the Commission from the eligible list.
G. Polygraph Examination. Prior to appointment, applicants for the Police and Fire Departments shall be given a polygraph examination. The City Manager shall prescribe the content of the polygraph examination. The name of any applicant who the City Manager determines to be unsuited for appointment based upon criteria established for the polygraph examination, shall be recommended for removal by the Commission from the eligible list.
H. Medical Examination. Prior to appointment, applicants shall be required to pass a medical examination based upon criteria established by the City Manager. Medical examinations shall be made by a licensed physician designated by the City Manager. The name of any applicant who the City Manager determines to be unsuited for appointment based upon criteria established for the medical examination, shall be recommended for removal by the Commission from the eligible list.
I. Psychological Examination. Psychological examinations may be required to be taken and passed by applicants for the position of Police officer, Fire Fighter, or both. Based upon criteria established by the City Manager, the psychological examination shall be given by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist as designated by the City Manager. The name of any applicant who the City Manager determines to be unsuited for appointment based upon criteria established for the psychological examinations, shall be recommended for removal by the Commission from the eligible list.
J. Ora1 Examination. An applicant prior to appointment shall be required to take an oral examination based upon criteria and in a manner prescribed by the City Manager to test general suitability for the position to be filled. The name of any applicant who the City Manager determines to be unsuited for appointment based upon criteria established for the oral examination, shall be recommended for removal by the Commission from the eligible list.
(Ord. 08-0-56. Passed 6-3-08.)
(2) Promotional Examinations.
A. Written Examination. Written examinations shall be practical in character and shall relate to those matters which will fairly test the relative capacity of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the position for which promotion is sought.
The Commission shall prescribe the content of each examination but shall consult with the City Manager and department head relative to the content of each examination.
Written examinations shall be graded on a scale of 100 (100%) percent and no person shall be deemed to have passed the written examination with a score of less than 70 percent (70%).
In the Fire Department, the score on the written examination for the position of Fire Lieutenant shall comprise sixty-five percent (65%) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified eligible list. The score on the written examination for the position of Fire Battalion Chief shall comprise fifty percent (50%) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified eligible list. The score on the written examination for the position of Fire Deputy Chief shall comprise thirty percent (30%) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified eligible list.
In the Police Department, the score on the written examination for the position of Police Sergeant shall comprise sixty percent (60%) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified eligible list. The score on the written examination for the position of Police Lieutenant shall comprise fifty percent (50%) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified eligible list. The score on the written examination for the position of Police Captain shall comprise forty percent (40%) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified eligible list.
B. Assessment Center Examination. Applicants who have passed the written examination shall be required to pass an assessment center examination in order to determine an applicant's suitability for a particular promotional position. Evaluators for the assessment center examination shall be impartial and qualified to serve in such capacity based upon their training and experience in police, fire and/or personnel administration as determined by the Commission.
Applicants in the assessment center examination may object after the examination as to the impartiality of an evaluator. Any objection as to the impartiality of an evaluator must be filed by the applicant in writing with the commission within five (5) calendar days after the date of the examination and must contain the specific reasons for the objection. The Commission shall consider the objection and, if such objection is upheld by the Commission, the rating of the evaluator in question shall not be considered in determining the score on the assessment center examination of the applicant who has filed the objection. Evaluators for the assessment center examination shall not be informed of the written examination scores of those who have passed the written examination.
The assessment center examination shall be graded on a scale of one hundred percent (100%) and no person examined shall be deemed to have passed the assessment center examination with a score of less than seventy percent (70%).
For the Fire Department, the score on the assessment center examination for the position of Fire Lieutenant shall comprise thirty percent (30%) of the final grade for the purposes of establishing a certified eligible list. The score on the assessment center examination for the position of Fire Battalion Chief shall comprise forty-five percent (45%) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified eligible list. The score on the assessment center examination for the position of Fire Deputy Chief shall comprise sixty-five percent (65 %) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified eligible list.
For the Police Department, the score on the assessment center for the position of Police Sergeant shall comprise forty percent (40%) of the final grade for the purposes of establishing a certified eligible list. The score on the assessment center examination for the position of Police Lieutenant shall comprise fifty percent (50%) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified eligible list.
The score on the assessment center examination for the position of Police Captain shall comprise sixty percent (60%) of the final grade for purposes of establishing a certified-eligible list. The Commission shall consult with the City Manager and department head relative to the content of each assessment center examination and relative to the panel to be designated. The content of the assessment center examination shall be based upon the official City job class specification.
C. Seniority credit. Applicants taking promotional examinations in both the Police and Fire Departments who receive passing grades on the written and assessment center examination shall receive credit for seniority after the completion of five (5) years employment with the City of Mentor, in the amount of one-half point (1/2) and one- half point (1/2) for completion of each full year of service thereafter through the fourteenth (14th) year to a maximum of five (5) points.
D. Credit for seniority in promotional examinations. Credit for seniority in service shall not be a part of, but shall be a credit to be added to the applicant's earned grade resulting from the written and oral or assessment center competitive examinations provided the applicant received a passing earned grade in such competitive examinations without counting such extra credit.
(1969 Code 33.45)
E. Educational credit. In the Fire Department, two (2) points will be awarded for having a Bachelor or Graduate Degree in any field, and one (1) point will be awarded for having an Associate Degree in any field. Credit shall only be awarded for one degree, which shall be for the highest degree obtained. All degrees must be from an accredited post secondary institution listed on the U.S. Department of Education Database.
(Ord. 09-0-97. Passed 9-15-09.)
F. Credit for education in promotional examinations. Credit for education shall not be a part of, but shall be a credit to be added to the applicant’s earned grade in such competitive examinations without counting such extra credit.
(e) No promotion to positions in the classified service above the rank of Police Officer in the Police Department and Firefighter in the Fire Department shall be filled by original appointment. Vacancies in the classified service above the rank of Police Officer and Firefighter shall be filled by promotion from among eligible persons holding positions in a rank lower than the position to be filled. No classified position above the rank of Police Officer or Firefighter shall be filled by any person unless he has first passed a competitive promotional examination. Except as specified in Section 159.06(f) of this chapter:
(1) A police officer shall not be eligible to test for promotion to the rank of police sergeant who has not been a regular full-time sworn police officer in the Mentor Police Department for a period of at least 36 months;
(2) A fire fighter shall not be eligible to test for promotion to the rank of fire lieutenant who has not been a regular full-time sworn firefighter in the Mentor Fire Department for a period of at least 36 months; and
(3) No person shall be eligible to test for promotion above the rank of police sergeant or fire lieutenant unless he has served in the Mentor Police Department or Mentor Fire Department a minimum of 24 months in the next lower rank from which the promotion is to be made.
(f) Whenever the Commission determines that there are less than two persons holding positions in the next lower rank from which the promotion is to be made who are eligible and willing to compete, the Commission shall allow persons holding positions in the then next lower rank who are eligible, to compete with the persons holding positions in the rank lower than the position to be filled.
(g) Admitting Applicants to Examination. No applicant shall be admitted to any assembled examination more than 30 minutes after the advertised time for beginning such examination, or after any applicant competing in any such examination, or after any applicant competing in any such examination has completed his work and left the examination room, except by special permission of the person in charge, who, at his discretion, may admit the applicant conditionally, subject to the final approval or disapproval of such admission by the Commission.
(h) No applicant in any examination shall be given a longer time on any subject than prescribed by the Commission when examination questions are approved.
(i) Frauds in Examinations are Prohibited. No person or officer shall:
(1) By himself or in cooperation with one or more persons, defect, deceive, or obstruct any person in respect to his or her right of examination, appointment or employment arising under the provisions of this chapter; or
(2) Falsely mark, grade, estimate or report upon the examination or proper standing of any person examined, registered or certified pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or aid in so doing; or
(3) Make any false representations concerning the results of such examinations or concerning any person examined; or
(4) Furnish to any person any special secret information for the purpose of either improving or injuring the prospects or chances of any person so examined, registered or certified or to be appointed, employed or promoted; or
(5) Impersonate any other person, or permit or aid in any manner any other person to impersonate him, in connection with any examination, registration or appointment or application or request to be examined, registered or appointed; or
(6) Furnish any false information about himself, or any other person, in connection with any examination, registration, or appointment or application or request to be examined, registered or appointed; or
(7) Make known or assist in making known to any applicant for examination, any question to be asked on such examination; or
(8) For any applicant taking an examination, assist any other applicant in any manner whatsoever; or
(9) Personally solicit a favor from any member of the Commission, a City official, the City Manager, or have any person in his behalf solicit a favor.
(10) Any applicant in any examination found to be using any means of information, books of any kind to assist him in answering the questions shall have his examination papers taken up and filed with a zero marking when the circumstances justify such action.
(j) Visitors at Examinations. No visitor shall be admitted to the examination room during any examination except by special permission of the person in charge.
(k) Inspection of Written Examination Papers.
(1) Prior to grading. Unless otherwise announced prior to the examination, participants in written promotional examinations may inspect the written questions together with the rating key for the questions for a period of not more than five (5) days after the date of examination, (Sundays and holidays excluded). Any protest by a participant as to the questions asked or the rating key answers must be filed in writing within the five (5) day period and must contain detailed information and authority therefor. Immediately following this inspection period, the Commission shall review the protests with the testing company and thereafter make such changes in the tentative rating key as are warranted after which the rating key adopted shall be used in the actual scoring of the written examination papers.
The written examination papers of each applicant shall then be graded and each applicant shall be notified by mail as to his grade.
(2) After grading. Unless otherwise announced prior to the examination, after notice of grade has been received, each participant shall have the right to inspect his written examination papers together with the rating key within five (5) days of the postal date stamped on the mailed notice of his grade (Sundays and holidays excluded) and to inform himself as to the markings given to him on each subject or question. Any protest as to clerical errors in grading must be filed in writing by the participant within the five day period. The Commission shall then give consideration to all such claims of error and make such changes as are warranted. The Commission shall then establish the eligible list and no grades given in any written examination shall be changed after the posting of any eligible list.
(3) Public inspection. Papers (except recommendations of former employers) submitted by applicants in any written examinations shall be open to public inspection during office hours upon application to the Commission provided such application is made during the period in which persons whose names appear on the eligible list resulting from such written examination are eligible for appointment.
(l) Examination Postponed. Examinations, unless postponed, must be held upon dates fixed by the Commission. Examinations may be postponed by order of the Commission, which order shall designate the reason therefor.
(1969 Code 33.45)