In order to establish an equitable and uniform system for dealing with personnel matters, and to comply with applicable laws relating to the administration of the personnel process, the personnel system set out in this chapter is adopted.
(Ord. 908 § 1, 1986)
The terms used to administer the personnel system shall be defined in the personnel rules.
(Ord. 908 § 1, 1986)
The city manager shall administer the city personnel system and may delegate any of the powers and duties to a personnel director or may delegate the appointing authority granted by the city council to any other officer or employee of the city or may recommend that such powers and duties be performed under contract as provided in PMC § 2.52.080. The city manager shall:
A. 
Act as the appointing authority for the city;
B. 
Administer all the provisions of this chapter and of the personnel rules not specifically reserved to the city council.
(Ord. 980 § 1, 1986; Ord. 04-1225 § 2, 2004)
This chapter applies to all offices, positions, and employments in the service of the city, except:
A. 
Elective officers;
B. 
The city manager, deputy city manager, or assistant city manager;
C. 
The city attorney and any assistant or deputy city attorneys;
D. 
Members of appointive boards, commissions, and committees;
E. 
All department heads and deputy or assistant department heads;
F. 
Persons engaged under contract to supply expert, professional, engineering, technical, instructional, or any other service;
G. 
All volunteer personnel;
H. 
All council-appointed city officers;
I. 
Emergency employees who are hired to meet the immediate requirements of an emergency condition, such as extraordinary fire, flood, or earthquake which threatens life or property;
J. 
Employees, other than those listed elsewhere in this section, who are not regularly employed in permanent positions. "Regularly employed in permanent positions" means an employee hired for an indefinite term into a budgeted position, who is regularly scheduled to work no less than 2,080 hours per year, and has successfully completed the probationary period and been retained as provided in this chapter and the personnel rules;
K. 
Employees not hired as referenced in this chapter and in the personnel rules and for whom the appointing authority compensates hourly, and anticipates employment for a definite time period.
Employees not included in the competitive service under this section shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
(Ord. 908 § 1, 1986; Ord. 09-1313 § 1, 2009)
Personnel rules shall be adopted by resolution of the city council. The rules may establish regulations governing the personnel system, including:
A. 
Preparation, installation, revision, and maintenance of a position classification plan covering all positions in the competitive service including employment standards and qualifications for each class;
B. 
Appropriate announcement of the selection process and acceptance of applications for employment;
C. 
Preparation and conduct of tests and the establishment and use of resulting employment lists containing names of persons eligible for appointment;
D. 
Certification and appointment of persons from employment lists, and the making of provisional appointments;
E. 
Establishment of probationary testing periods;
F. 
Evaluation of employees during the probationary testing period and thereafter;
G. 
Transfer, promotion, demotion, reinstatement, disciplinary action and layoff of employees in the competitive service;
H. 
Separation of employees from the city service;
I. 
The establishment and maintenance of adequate personnel records for purposes of accounting and legal requirements;
J. 
The establishment of any necessary appeal procedures.
(Ord. 908 § 1, 1986)
The political activities of city employees shall conform to pertinent provisions of state law and any local provision adopted under state law.
(Ord. 908 § 1, 1986; Ord. 04-1225 § 9, 2004)
The city manager shall consider and make recommendations to the city council regarding the extent to which the city should contract for the performance of technical services in connection with the establishment or operation of the personnel system. The city council may contract with any qualified person or public or private agency for the performance of all or any of the following responsibilities and duties imposed by this chapter:
A. 
The preparation of personnel rules and subsequent revisions and amendments thereof;
B. 
The preparation of a position classification plan, and subsequent revisions and amendments thereof;
C. 
The preparation, conduct, and grading of competitive tests;
D. 
The conduct of employee training programs;
E. 
Special and technical services of advisory or informational character on matters relating to personnel administration.
(Ord. 908 § 1, 1986; Ord. 04-1225 § 10, 2004)