(A) (1) All appointments to positions within the county, whether new hires, rehire, reinstatements (affected by reduction-in-force or leave without pay) or promotion, require an orientation period during which both the county and the employee can determine compatibility and competence. This period is regarded as a testing period designed to acquaint the new employee with the position and allow the employee, supervisor and department head/elected official to measure fairly the employee’s suitability for the job.
(2) The orientation period shall be six months in duration with an option by elected officials/department heads to extend the period an additional six months.
(3) The orientation period for Sheriff’s office employees shall be 18 months in duration with an option to extend the period an additional six months. The employment relationship may be terminated at any time during the new hire orientation period, with or without notice, and with or without cause, by either the employee or the county.
(B) (1) Promoted employees and all new employees who fail to demonstrate competence and/or compatibility with the new assignment within the six-month period or the 18-month period for Sheriff’s office personnel shall be terminated, unless the department head/elected official decides to extend the employee’s orientation period.
(2) Sheriff’s office personnel that are required to have Peace Operations Special Training (“POST”) certification (road deputies and correctional officers) shall have an orientation period that extends through the POST certification program(s) required for their jobs. In other words, the orientation period does not end until eighteen months after the POST certification program is completed.
(C) Upon completion of the orientation period, the supervisor shall conduct a performance review to apprize the employee of their suitability for the position and determine the employment actions to be recommended to the Board of County Commissioners.
(D) After the employee has completed the designated orientation period the employee is deemed to be a regular county employee.
(Ord. passed 6- -2019)