Membership. The Civil Service Commission shall consist of three (3) electors of the Municipality, not holding other employment by the Municipality or other office or appointment with the Municipality, to be appointed by the Mayor, with the concurrence of a majority of the members of Council, for terms of six (6) years each, except that of the three (3) appointed for the term beginning January 1, 1960, one shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, one for a term of four (4) years, and one for a term of six (6) years. A vacancy occurring during the term of any member of the Civil Service Commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner authorized for an original appointment.
The Commission shall designate one of its members as Chairperson and may appoint a Secretary who need not be a member of the Commission and may hold other municipal office or appointment.
Classification of Service. The Civil Service of the Municipality is hereby divided into the unclassified and the classified service.
The unclassified service shall include the following:
(a) All officers elected by the people.
(b) All directors of departments except the Chief of Police and Fire Chief.
(c) The Clerk of Council and all officers and employees appointed by Council.
(d) The Municipal Engineer.
(e) The members of all boards and commissions appointed by the Mayor or Council.
(f) Any part-time office or position.
(g) Any temporary appointments not to exceed, however, a period of six months.
(h) Any emergency appointments not to exceed, however, a period of ninety days.
(i) Any employees serving probationary periods provided, however, that when an employee is terminated from a probationary position and the employee had held a civil service position with the City at the time of appointment to the probationary position, the employee shall revert back to the civil service position held with the City at the time of appointment.
(j) Secretaries to the Mayor and each director of a department or head of a division or a department.
(k) Seasonal employees such as student laborers and summer help.
(l) Students enrolled in a recognized college or university in a course of training in preparation for an administrative or professional career in the public service and employed upon the recommendation of the official in charge of personnel administration as student aids for training purposes without limitation as to assignment or duties.
(m) Any office or position determined by the Civil Service Commission to require professional or expert qualifications.
(n) All fulltime employees of the Department of Public Service and Properties.
(o) All fulltime employees of the Municipality, other than sworn fulltime officers in the Division of Police and sworn fulltime fire fighters in the Division of Fire.
The classified service shall include:
All other positions not specifically included in the unclassified service.
Duties. The Commission shall provide by rule for ascertainment of merit and fitness as the basis for appointment and promotion in the classified service of the Municipality, in the manner provided by the Constitution of the State of Ohio with respect to municipalities, and for appeals from the action of the Mayor in any case of transfer, reduction or removal except as otherwise provided in this Charter, and the action of the Commission upon any such appeal shall be final. The rules of the Civil Service Commission shall be adopted by Council. The Commission shall keep a record of its proceedings and examinations, which shall be open to public inspection.
In any matter where a rule, regulation, order or decision of the Civil Service Commission conflicts with any provision of the laws, rules or regulations of the State of Ohio, the rule, regulation, order or decision of the Richmond Heights Civil Service Commission shall prevail over and render null and void the State provision with respect to the City of Richmond Heights.
In any matter where a rule, regulation, order or decision of the Civil Service Commission conflicts with any provision of the laws, rules or regulations of the State of Ohio, the rule, regulation, order or decision of the Richmond Heights Civil Service Commission shall prevail over and render null and void the State provision with respect to the City of Richmond Heights.
Any person who shall have served the Municipality for at least one year immediately prior to January 1, 1960, may be retained in the same or any similar position without examination.
Removal. The Mayor may at any time suspend any Commissioner for inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office, incapacity or incompetency provided however, that such suspension shall not become final without the concurrence of five (5) of the members of Council.
Funds. A sufficient sum shall be appropriated by the Council each year to carry out the Civil Service provisions of this Charter.
(Amended 11-8-88; 11-4-03; 11-8-22))