(a) Notice of Examination. Notice of competitive promotional examinations to be held shall be given by posting of bulletins in conspicuous places in the departments whose employees may be interested or may be by individual communications to the employees, eligible for such promotion. Such notice shall be given not less than thirty days prior to the examination unless waived by all persons eligible to participate. A description of readily available source material shall be published prior to exam.
(b) Nature of Examination. Promotional examinations for all promotions except mechanic with the Fire/Rescue Division shall consist of a written examination and assessment center as determined by the City Administrator. The fire department mechanics exam shall be a written examination only as determined by the City Administrator. The testing procedures shall be practical in character and shall relate directly to those matters which shall fairly test the relative capacity of the person examined to discharge the particular duties of the position for which the promotion is sought. Only applicants who receive a final score of seventy or higher may receive consideration for promotion.
(c) Policeman Promotions.
(1) Promotions to positions above the rank of police officer in the Police Department shall be in accordance with the provisions of Ohio R.C. Section 124.44, with the exceptions that the seniority requirements for sergeant shall be five years, all other ranks shall require two years seniority in the next lower grade.
(2) Assessment efficiency and seniority credits shall be as provided in subsections (e), (f) and (g) hereof respectively.
(3) In the event that not more than one candidate is eligible for examination to a promotional rank because of lack of time in grade or service, then all persons holding the rank which qualifies them for that examination shall be deemed eligible regardless of time in grade or service.
(4) Results of a promotion process will remain valid for one year from their compilation and may be used by the City Administrator in determining additional promotions within the one year period.
(5) Candidates for promotion to the rank of sergeant or higher in the Police Department shall be graduates of an accredited college, university or institution of higher learning with an associate degree or bachelor degree in police science/criminal justice, public or business administration, or other related field as approved by the City Administrator and Civil Service Commission. The candidates who were members of the Police Department prior to October 18, 2004, the effective date of Ordinance No. 04-65, which established the education requirement, shall remain eligible for promotional exams for the rank of sergeant or higher.
(6) The Civil Service Commission shall certify to the City Administrator the names and addresses of three persons standing highest on the eligibility list for promotion following the promotional examination, assessment process efficiency rating, and seniority. The City Administrator is his or her discretion shall promote any one of the three persons certified by the Commission.
(d) Fire Fighter Promotions. Promotions to the positions above the rank of regular fire fighter in the Fire/Rescue Division shall be as follows:
Lieutenant Promotions
(1) A candidate for the Lieutenant's exam shall have completed six years of continuous service as a Tiffin Firefighter prior to the date of the examination, and shall have completed the following items prior to the announcement date for the position:
A. Must be certified as a Fire Safety Inspector (CFSI).
B. Must be certified as a Fire Officer I.
C. Must be certified as an Assistant Fire or EMS CEU Instructor.
Captain Promotions
(2) A candidate for the Captain's exam shall have completed eight years of continuous service and shall have held the rank of Lieutenant for at least one year prior to the date of the examination, and shall have completed the following items prior to the announcement date for the position:
A. Must be certified as a Fire Safety Inspector (CFSI).
B. Must be certified as a Fire Officer II.
C. Must be certified as a Fire or EMS Instructor
Deputy Fire Chief
(3) A candidate for the Deputy Chief's exam shall have at least 10 years of continuous service and shall have held the rank of Captain for at least one year prior to the date of examination, and shall have completed the following items prior to the announcement date for the position:
A. Must be certified as a Fire Safety Inspector (CFSI).
B. Must be certified as a Fire Officer III.
C. Must be certified as a Fire and EMS Instructor.
Fire Division Mechanic
(4) A candidate for the mechanics exam shall have successfully completed probation as a fire fighter prior to the date of examination.
(5) Candidates for promotion to the rank of Captain or Deputy Chief in the Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division shall be graduates of an accredited college, university or institution of higher learning with an associate degree or higher in fire science, fire administration, public or business administration, or other related field as approved by the City Administrator and Civil Service Commission.
A. This section shall only apply to those individuals who became members of the Fire and Rescue Division After 01/01/2015.
(6) Those individuals wishing to take a promotional exam must provide documentation to the Civil Service Commission showing they meet the minimum requirements for the position.
A. Documentation shall consist of the following:
1. A completed City of Tiffin employment application.
2. Copies of all applicable required training certificates and education as found in Section (d)1,2,3 and 4.
a. In order to be accepted all certificates of training and education must be completed prior to the date the vacancy is announced.
(7) In the event that no more than one candidate is eligible and willing to take the examination for Deputy Chief, Captain or Lieutenant because of time in grade or service, then all persons meeting the certification and training requirements which qualifies them for that examination shall be deemed eligible regardless of the time in grade or service.
A. In the event that no more than one candidate is eligible to examination for Deputy Chief, Captain, or Lieutenant the qualified candidate shall be awarded the position.
(8) Assessment, efficiency, and seniority credit shall be as provided in subsections (e), (f) and (g) hereof, respectively.
(9) Results of a promotion process will remain valid for one year from their compilation and may be used by the City Administrator in determining additional promotions within the one year period.
(e) Assessment Process and Credit.
(1) The assessment credit for promotion purposes shall be based on an assessment process conducted by an outside testing company chosen by the department head, City Administrator and the Civil Service Commission; provided, however, that in the event that only one applicant receives a final score of seventy or higher on the written examination then such applicant shall be awarded the position without conducting an assessment process.
(2) The purpose of the assessment process shall be to evaluate the applicant's practical ability to perform the necessary duties and functions of the position for which the promotion is sought.
(3) To qualify to take the assessment center an applicant must score a minimum of seventy percent (70%) on the written exam.
(4) The method of scoring assessment centers shall be based on maximum final score of 100 points. The scoring process used by the assessment panel shall be approved by the Civil Service Commission prior to the date of the exam.
(f) Efficiency Rating and Credit.
(1) The efficiency rating for promotion purposes shall be based on the average of the two most recent efficiency ratings prepared on an applicant with either the police department or fire department under this section.
(2) Department efficiency rating system shall be based on 100 points as the highest attainable score.
(3) The efficiency rating system shall be determined by the City Administrator, shall be related to job performance, and shall be submitted to Council for approval by resolution.
(g) Seniority Credit.
(1) Applicants in the promotion process shall receive credit for seniority, which shall be determined as follows: One point shall be added to the total grade for each year of service following the second year and through the sixteenth year. A maximum of fourteen points can be awarded. Partial years of service shall be calculated as a percentage of the year. The date the test is administered shall determine years of service.
(h) Credit Weight For Police Department Examinations. All credits applicable to the promotion process are weighted as follows:
Written Test | 45% |
Assessment credit | 45% |
Seniority Credit | 5% |
Efficiency Credit | 5% |
For examinations involving written tests only credit shall be weighed as follows:
Written Test | 90% |
Efficiency Credit | 5% |
Seniority credit | 5% |
(i) Credit Weight for Fire Department Examinations.
All credits applicable to the promotion process are weighted as follows:
Written Test | 35% |
Assessment Credit | 55% |
Seniority Credit | 5% |
Efficiency Credit | 5% |
For examinations involving written tests only credit shall be weighed as follows:
Written Test | 90% |
Seniority Credit | 5% |
Efficiency Credit | 5% |
(j) Promotions.
(1) Vacancies in positions in the classified service shall be filled insofar as practicable by promotions. Promotional appointments shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Ohio R.C. Section 124.31 with the exception of those of policemen in the Police Department and of firefighters in the Fire Department. Promotion of policemen shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Ohio R.C. 124.44 and this chapter. Promotion of fire fighters shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Ohio R.C. 124.45 except as provided for in this chapter.
(Ord. 16-79. Passed 12-5-16.)