(A) (1) When department directors identify the need to substantially change or alter the duties of a position, then the county may conduct a job analysis, prepare a new job description and may re-evaluate the position to determine its appropriate classification and salary range. If the newly evaluated position shows that the position should be reclassified upward then the reclassification may be treated as a promotion and may be subject to the provisions defined under § 33.019.
(2) All consultant recommendations will be reviewed by the Human Resources Director and the County Manager prior to approval and implementation as per determination of the County Manager.
(3) Reclassifications requested at any time must be approved by the County Manager.
(4) Department directors should avoid adding new duties to a position until the County Manager or County Council approves the position for reclassification.
(B) If the newly evaluated position shows that the position should be classified downward, then the employee currently holding the position may have the option of:
(1) Applying for a transfer to a position classified at a level equal to the classification previously held; or
(2) Choosing to stay in the current position.
(C) If the employee chooses to apply for a transfer, then the county shall give the employee the first available opportunity to transfer to a position for which the employee is qualified. Until the opportunity for a transfer is made available to the employee by the county, the employee shall continue to occupy the current position at no loss in pay and shall continue to be a candidate for merit increases and benefits as if no reclassification has occurred.
(D) If the employee accepts the transfer opportunity offered by the county, then the acceptance shall be treated as a transfer and shall be subject to the provisions of § 33.022.
(E) If the employee chooses to remain in a position that has been reclassified downward, or refuses to accept a transfer opportunity when it is offered by the county, then the continuance of the employee in the reclassified position shall be treated as a voluntary demotion and shall be subject to the provisions defined in § 33.021.
(F) The reclassification of a position shall become effective after the approval of the County Council.
(G) When an employee is demoted because the position the employee occupies has been reclassified downward and the employee requests and is willing to accept a transfer, the employee’s salary shall remain at the same rate for a period of two years following reclassification if the employee’s salary is above the maximum for the new grade. If the employee’s salary at the time of reclassification is below the maximum of the new grade, it shall remain unaffected by the reclassification, and the employee shall be eligible for consideration for merit salary adjustments not to exceed the maximum of the new grade. Salary changes will become effective at the beginning of the pay period following the date of the change.
(‘77 Code, § 13-31) (Ord. 1584, passed 9-17-84; Am. Ord. 5288, passed 10-17-88; Am. Ord. 2601, passed 7-16-01; Am. Ord. 1214, passed 5-5-14; Am. Ord. 3918, passed 8-20-18; Am. Ord. 1022, passed 2-21-22; Am. Ord. 2823, passed 5-1-23)