The classified service shall comprise all positions not specifically declared exempt by SCCC § 3.12.040; provided, however, that if a new position is created, or a position becomes vacant, which requires peculiar or exceptional qualifications or scientific, professional or expert character, and upon satisfactory evidence that competitive examinations to qualify applicants for such position or vacancy are impractical and that the position can best be filled by the selection of a person of recognized attainments, competitive examinations may be suspended by the Commission upon an affirmative vote of four-fifths of the members. However, no such suspension of competitive examinations shall be general in nature, and all such suspensions must be reported, together with the reasons therefor, to the Board of Supervisors.
(prior code § 4.05.300; Ord. 455-A, 1954; Ord. 2847, 1980; Ord. 5298 § 3, 2019)
The Civil Service Rules shall provide for emergency appointments without reference to the eligible list when such appointments are proven necessary to prevent stoppage of public business, loss of life, or damage to persons and property.
(prior code § 4.05.305; Ord. 2847, 1980; Ord. 4055 § 1, 1990; Ord. 5298 § 3, 2019)
(A) 
Positions in the classified service created as a result of an agreement between the County of Santa Cruz and another public agency, whereby the County undertakes to perform some function or project or task for a specified length of time or to its completion, and such other public agency agrees to reimburse the County in whole or in part for any expenses incurred, shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) 
Upon the completion of the function, project or task, as provided in the agreement, employment with the County of persons filling such positions shall terminate.
(2) 
Provisions of such agreement pertaining to qualifications, appointment, conditions of employment, and approval of persons employed shall take precedence over conflicting provisions of Chapters 3.04 through 3.28 SCCC or the Civil Service Rules. However, the persons so employed shall receive the benefit of the County's Civil Service System insofar as the terms of the agreement between the County and such other public agency do not abrogate the provisions of this code or of said rules.
(3) 
Upon recommendation of the appointing authority, any or all of such positions may be filled in accordance with the provisions of SCCC § 3.12.010.
(B) 
This section shall be applicable only as to those positions specifically designated by resolution of the Civil Service Commission and the Board of Supervisors adopted at the time a particular function, project or task is undertaken by the County.
(prior code § 4.05.310; Ord. 619, 1960; Ord. 5298 § 3, 2019)
All County employees shall be included in the Limited Civil Service System hereby adopted, with the exception of the following officers and employees:
(A) 
All officers elected by the people;
(B) 
All members of any board or commission who hold their positions by virtue of appointment by the Board of Supervisors;
(C) 
Inmates held in County institutions;
(D) 
All persons or officers serving the County without compensation;
(E) 
Personnel employed on an extra-help basis for a maximum of 999 hours in a fiscal year, including persons:
(1) 
Employed for short-term projects,
(2) 
Employed on a seasonal basis to meet recurrent work peaks,
(3) 
Employed on an as-needed basis to meet peak load, emergency or other unusual work situations;
(F) 
All interns and resident physicians associated with County institutions;
(G) 
Student nurses, emergency hospital aides or any persons partaking of any in-training or apprentice service training conducted by any County department or institution;
(H) 
Investigators, detectives or other persons paid from special funds furnished by the District Attorney and/or the Sheriff under the provisions of Government Code Sections 29400 et seq. and 29430 et seq.;
(I) 
Persons employed on a seasonal basis as firefighters;
(J) 
All program participants employed under the Emergency Employment Act of 1971, or under such other similar Federally funded programs as are determined appropriate for exemption from civil service by the Civil Service Commission (this provision shall not apply to County employees who administer such programs);
(K) 
The following particular classifications or officers:
(1) 
Assistant County Administrative Officer,
(2) 
Chief Probation Officer; provided, however, that the examination for vacancies in this office be conducted in accordance with traditional merit system procedures,
(3) 
Chief Deputy District Attorney,
(4) 
County Administrative Officer,
(5) 
Senior Board Clerk (Public Works),
(6) 
Sheriff's Chief Deputy,
(7) 
County Supervisor's Analyst,
(8) 
County Counsel,
(9) 
Agricultural Commissioner—Director of Weights and Measures,
(10) 
Special Qualifications Worker,
(11) 
Supervisor's Staff Assistant,
(12) 
Director of Public Works,
(13) 
Planning Director,
(14) 
Director of Parks, Open Spaces and Cultural Services,
(15) 
Health Services Agency Director,
(16) 
Chief Deputy District Attorney—Administration,
(17) 
Medical Services Director/Health Officer,
(18) 
Chief Assistant County Counsel,
(19) 
Director of Mental Health Services,
(20) 
Forensic Pathologist,
(21) 
Deputy County Administrative Officer,
(22) 
Undersheriff,
(23) 
Chief of Staff—Board of Supervisors,
(24) 
Human Services Director,
(25) 
Assistant Director of Human Services Department,
(26) 
Assistant Director of Health Services Agency,
(27) 
Director of General Services,
(28) 
Personnel Director,
(29) 
County Budget Manager,
(30) 
Director of Information Services,
(31) 
Chief Deputy Public Defender,
(32) 
Public Defender,
(33) 
Director of Child Support Services.
(prior code § 4.05.320; Ord. 455-A, 1954; Ord. 548, 1958; Ord. 1058, 1965; Ord. 1380, 1968; Ord. 1453, 1969; Ord. 1644, 1971; Ord. 1699, 1972; Ord. 2096, 1975; Ord. 2169, 1975; Ord. 2172, 1975; Ord. 2231, 1976; Ord. 2388, 1977; Ord. 2555, 1978; Ord. 2588, 1978; Ord. 2612, 1979; Ord. 2847, 1980; Ord. 3006, 1980; Ord. 3135, 1981; Ord. 3420 § 1, 1983; Ord. 3457 § 1, 1983; Ord. 3508 § 1, 1984; Ord. 3680 § 1, 1985; Ord. 3687 § 1, 1985; Ord. 3729 § 1, 1986; Ord. 3814 § 1, 1987; Ord. 3865 §§ 1, 2, 1987; Ord. 3900 § 1, 1988; Ord. 3963 § 3, 1988; Ord. 4039 § 1, 1989; Ord. 4176 §§ 1, 2, 1992; Ord. 4179 § 1, 1992; Ord. 4250 § 1, 1993; Ord. 4292 § 1, 1994; Ord. 4327 § 1, 1994; Ord. 4359 § 1, 1995; Ord. 4359A § 1, 1995; Ord. 4364 § 1, 1995; Ord. 4540 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4546 § 8, 1999; Ord. 4586 § 1, 2000; Ord. 4633 § 1, 2001; Ord. 4669, 2002; Ord. 4780, 2005; Ord. 5174 § 1, 2014; Ord. 5189 § 1, 2014; Ord. 5194 § 1, 2014; Ord. 5222 § 1, 2016; Ord. 5251 § 1, 2017; Ord. 5260 § 1, 2017; Ord. 5269 § 1, 2018; Ord. 5298 § 3, 2019; Ord. 5387 § 1, 2022; Ord. 5462 § 1, 2024)