Examination Standards

Section 1. Character.

All examinations will be job-related and consist only of subjects which will fairly test the relative capacity of the person examined to discharge the particular duties of the class to which appointment is sought.

Section 2. Content.

Examinations held to establish a list of eligibles for any class will consist of one or more of the following components as determined by the Human Resources Director. (Amended 8/21/07)

a. Written Test. The written part, when required, will include a written demonstration designed to show the familiarity of competitors with the knowledge involved in the class of positions to which they seek appointment, their ability in the use of English (where job related), the range of their general information, or their general educational attainments. An essay upon one or more subjects may be required if advisable.

b. Oral Interview/Assessment. The oral interview, when required, will include personal interviews with the competitors for classes of positions where ability to deal with others, to meet the public, or other special personal qualifications or verification of special technical or professional knowledge are involved. Normally, such interviews will be given only to the upper group of candidates as ranked by the previous examination component.

c. Performance Test. The performance test, when required, will include tests to measure the skill or ability of competitors to perform the work involved.

d. Physical Test. The physical test, when required, will consist of tests of bodily condition, muscular strength, agility and the general physical fitness of competitors. The results either may be given a weight in the total examinations, or may be used to exclude from further examination applicants who do not achieve the minimum required physical standards.

e. Psychological Tests. The psychological test, when required, will include tests to determine mental alertness, the general capacity of applicants to adjust their thinking to new problems and conditions, or to ascertain their special character traits and aptitudes related to the job to be performed.

f. Training and Experience. An evaluation of training and experience, when required, will be based on the statements of education and experience contained in the application form or such supplementary data as may be required by the Human Resources Director. The Human Resources Director may investigate the truth of any statements by the applicant as to training and experience. If any such statement is incorrect, the Human Resources Director shall recommend to the Commission appropriate action as governed by these Rules.

Section 3. Subjects and Weights.

The Human Resources Director will determine subjects to be included in the examination and the weights to be ascribed each. The weights will represent reasonably the value of the associated subject in ascertaining the fitness of the applicants being examined.

Section 4. Special Examiners.

The Human Resources Director may use other persons qualified in a particular field to prepare, conduct or mark an examination. (Amended 8/21/07)

Section 5. Medical Examinations.

All eligibles for employment in the Civil Service may be required to pass a medical examination before physicians designated for such purpose by the Director to determine their physical fitness for the position for which they are applying.

Section 6. Notice of New Examinations.

A circular of information stating the date, time and place of examination, age, residence, experience, and other qualifications or limitations, definition of duties, salary schedules, and such other data as may be desirable will be prepared by the Human Resources Director and will be available for review to every person who applies for the position. He will also publish this information in a newspaper of general daily circulation at least once and will post the information on the official public bulletin board in City Hall and on the City web site. (Amended 8/21/07)

Section 7. Current City Employees.

Current City employees may take original entrance examinations if an examination is given on an original entry basis for a position, except as provided for hereunder. An employee will not be allowed to take an original entrance examination if the examination is actually promotional for the employee, and the employee would otherwise be ineligible to take the promotional examination for any of the reasons relating to such an eligibility contained either in the Charter or Rules. An employee will not be allowed to take any examinations as an original entrant if the person would otherwise be ineligible to take the examination for any of the reasons relating to such eligibility contained either in the Charter or the Rules. Employees wishing to take original entrance examinations because of probationary status must further demonstrate that the completion of their probationary status is not necessary for the employee to meet the minimum experience requirements of the position. Employees who are allowed to take original entrance examinations, and are placed on an eligible list as a result thereof, if selected for positions based on such standing on the eligible list, must resign their current City position prior to starting employment in the new position. (Amended 8/21/07)

Current employees hired in this manner will be considered for all purposes as an original entrant. All other provisions of the Charter and these Rules relating to the resignation of City employees shall apply. (Added 12/18/84)

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