HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/24/1998 REVISED MINUTES
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
June 24, 1998
1:30 p.m.
First Floor Conference Room
Members Present: John Blitsch,Tim Luce,Gwen Johnson,Walter Reed(Ex Officio)
Others Present: Tom Reardon,Paul Huting,Jim Rodemeyer,Cheryl Huddleston
Moved by Blitsch, seconded by Johnson to approve the Agenda as mailed. Motion carried. Moved by Blitsch,
seconded by Johnson to approve the Minutes from May 1, 1998 as mailed Motion carried
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Civil Service List for Sports Supervisor was presented for certification. There is a vacancy due to a
retirement. The Commission in March approved the job description and testing criteria. The position was
advertised in the local newspaper,listed with Job Service,a notice sent to the agencies and organizations on the
Affirmative Action List and posted in all City departments.Twenty resumes were received by the deadline date
and eight candidates were invited to interview. Gil Spence from the City of Dubuque, Bud Eggleston and
Cheryl Huddleston conducted oral interviews on May 27, 1998. Two candidates did not show for their
interview. Moved by Blitsch,seconded by Johnson:
We, the members of the Civil Service Commission, certify the following list of applicants, who are eligible,
based upon the examination process as set forth by the Civil Service Commission for the appointment to the
position of Sports Supervisor for the City of Waterloo, Iowa Recreation Commission. Appointments shall be
made from this list for the next year(June 24, 1998-June 23, 1999).
CERTIFIED LIST
Mike Guild
Mark Gallagher
Matthew Blackford
Sam Skarich
Ian Hannah
Todd Coulter
Motion carried.
Commissioner Johnson would like to see the scoring charts for each position.
The Civil Service List for Instrumentation Control Foreman-WPFC was presented for certification. There is a
vacancy due to retirement. The Commission in May approved the job description and testing criteria. The
position was posted as a promotional in all City departments. Three resumes were received by the deadline
date and two candidates were invited to interview on June 3, 1998. Larry Smith, Dan Youngblood and Cheryl
Huddleston conducted interviews. Moved by Johnson, seconded by Blitsch:
We, the members of the Civil Service Commission, certify the following list of applicant(s), who are eligible
based upon the examination process as set forth by the Civil Service Commission for the appointment to the
position of Instrumentation Control Foreman for the City of Waterloo, Iowa Water Pollution/Flood Control
Depan t[nent. Appointments shall be made from this list for the next two years(June 24, 1998-June 23,2000).
CER'1'IFLED LIST
James Anderson
Kent Quin
Motion carried.
Discussion on promotional lists of less than three candidates. In the past, the Mayor has signed a letter
recommending approval of these lists. We neglected to get the letter for this list. It is the opinion of Mr.
Rodemeyer that, based on Iowa Code, the Mayor probably does not have the authority to approve or
disapprove such a list. This should be changed in the Civil Service Rules and Regulations
Jim Rodemeyer gave updates on the following positions:
Instrumentation Control Technician-The promotion of a technician to foreman will create a vacancy. The
position has been advertised in the Courier and Des Moines Register, listed with Job Service, and notices sent
to the agencies and organizations on the Affirmative Action list. Eleven resumes have been received and will
be reviewed in the next few days. The pool of applicants for this type of skilled worker is limited.
ProgrammerAnalvst-There is one newly budgeted vacancy and a vacancy due to a resignation. The job
description and testing criteria were approved by the Commission in May and all the regular advertising done.
The salary offered is not competitive in today's market. There has been some discussion regarding lowering the
minimum qualifications and developing a "Technician" level position. Commissioner Johnson had some
questions regarding university/college program accreditation and the lack of a requirement for training skills for
the position. Mr.Rodemeyer pointed out that the position does not necessarily require a college degree and the
training is more a one-on-one or video type training than standing in front of a classroom full of employees.
TV Equipment Operator, Combination Unit Operator, Pressurized Sewer Cleaning Unit Operator,
Excavation Equipment Operator-No progress made. Ongoing discussions with Union but it doesn't look
hopeful that a satisfactory agreement will be reached.
NEW BUSINESS
The job description and testing criteria for Park Maintenance I was presented for approval. There is a vacancy
due to a promotion. This is one of ten seven-month positions that carry the same wage and benefits as the
twelve-month positions. Commissioner Johnson does not like the wording used regarding the physical
examination and drug screen requirement. After some discussion it was agreed that a pre-employment physical
examination and drug screen is always required for this position and the notice will be changed to reflect this;
the wording will also reflect that the physical examination is done to determine if the candidate is capable of
performing the essential functions of the job classification. There was also considerable discussion regarding
the consequences of an employee losing their driver license. Mr. Rodemeyer explained that an employee who
loses their Commercial Driver's License will be terminated but it may take a considerable period of time
depending on the appeals process. Also, the present language (depending on the seriousness of the offense)
allows some flexibility, a flexibility that we feel we need. Other changes included changing "Equipment
Information" to "Examination Information" and changing the lift and carry weight from 100 pounds to 60
pounds. Moved by Blitsch, seconded by Johnson to approve the job description and testing criteria for Park
Maintenance I as amended. Motion carried.
The job description and testing criteria for Park Maintenance II-Construction was presented for approval. A
revised job notice and description were provided to the Commission members. The changes added three
additional items under Minimum Qualifications in both the Job Notice and Job Description. Also, the wrong
list of Essential Functions was provided initially so the revised description provides the correct list. Also,there
is not a requirement for a Pesticide Applicator's License and the department head title was changed to Park
Superintendent. There is a vacancy due to additional funding in this year's budget. Commission Blitsch
wondered why this was not promotional. It was explained that this is entry level for the construction position.
Moved by Blitsch, seconded by Johnson to approve the job description and testing criteria for Park
Maintenance II-Construction as amended. Motion carried.
The position name for Forestry Coordinator has been changed to City Forester to accurately reflect what is in
the present City Ordinances. This change will have no impact on the job duties or pay.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Personnel Department and City Attorney's Office are still working on a nepotism policy.
With no further business moved by Johnson, second by Blitsch to adjourn. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk