The Council shall have the authority to adopt personnel ordinances or personnel rules and regulations which modify, supplement, or supersede the laws of the State of Ohio and which, in the case of conflict, shall prevail over the laws of the State of Ohio.
All appointments and promotions of City employees shall be made on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated through a competitive selection process to the extent practicable and except as otherwise provided by Council.
Exempt Positions:
(1) All elected officers.
(2) The Clerk of Council.
(3) The City Manager.
(4) Assistants to the City Manager
(5) The Directors of the departments.
(6) Assistants to the Directors.
(7) Chief of Police.
(8) Fire Chief.
(9) Members of boards and commissions appointed by Council.
(10) Unskilled labor, as defined by Civil Service Commission Council.
(11) Temporary employees of exceptional professional or scientific qualifications engaged as consultants for special work by the City.
(12) Seasonal and part-time employees.
Classified Service: The classified service shall comprise all positions not specifically included in this Charter in the unclassified service as exempt positions.
The City Manager shall provide rules for the determination of merit and fitness as the basis for appointment and promotion of classified personnel
Appointments for all positions in the classified service shall be made by the City Manager based on a competitive examination and on the basis of experience, character, and conduct. Appointments shall be made from a list of the five candidates ranked highest on the eligibility list for that position, provided five candidates qualify to be placed on the list.
Promotions for all positions in the classified service shall be made by the City Manager based on competitive examination and on records of merit, efficiency, character, conduct and seniority. Promotional examinations may be restricted to current employees or the City Manager may open the exam to qualified candidates from outside the City service.
Promotion appointments shall be made from a list of the three candidates ranked highest on the eligibility list for that position, provided three candidates qualify to be placed on the list. No officer or employee in the classified service shall be demoted or removed except for cause and after a hearing, and the Council shall provide by ordinance for the enforcement of this provision and also for appeals to the Personnel Appeals Board for suspensions, demotions and removals by the City Manager.
An original appointment of a new employee shall not be deemed complete until a period of probation not to exceed twelve months has elapsed; except that in the police department division said probationary period for sworn officers, shall not exceed eighteen months. Such probationary employee may be discharged at any time within the said probationary period, upon recommendation of the head of the department in which said probationer is employed, with the approval of the City Manager.