Regular status in the classified service is acquired by successfully completing a probationary period. This probation is the final step in the examination process in which the individual demonstrates his or her ability and fitness while management determines whether an employee is suitable. The probationary period varies from three months for some classes of positions to six months for others. Generally, the shorter time period has been established for the more routine class of positions.
(AO No. 79-195)
A. 
Except as otherwise provided in section 3.30.073, every appointment to a position in the classified service shall be subject to a probation period as provided in this section.
B. 
Except as provided in subsection C, appointment to a position shall include a probationary period of 180 calendar days.
C. 
Probation does not apply to an appointment to a temporary or seasonal position since a person so appointed serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority and is subject to summary removal for any reason or for no reason.
D. 
The director may consider service rendered in a temporary position in connection with an assessment of a person's qualifications to apply for a position. The director may consider service rendered in a temporary position as probationary service for an appointment directly to regular position in the same class as the temporary position.
(AO No. 79-195; AO No. 86-207(S-1); AO No. 2014-32(S), § 3, 2-25-2014)
A. 
Reemployed employees. Reemployed employees shall be subject to a probationary period only to the extent of completing any incomplete probationary period, except that employees reemployed to a position in a different agency shall be subject to the probationary period in the different agency at the option of the agency head with the approval of the director. Prior municipal service in a position in the same class series may be credited toward completion of the current probationary period if the break in municipal service does not exceed one year.
B. 
Promoted employees. An employee promoted to a position in the same class series prior to completion of his or her probationary period shall complete his or her probationary period in the lower position by service in the higher, and shall be considered as having regular status in the lower position at the end of the applicable probationary period following his or her promotion and shall complete the full probationary period in the higher position.
C. 
Transferred employees. When an employee transfers to a position in the same class within an agency, no probationary period shall be served. When an employee transfers within an agency to a position in a parallel or different class or transfers from one agency to another to a position in the same class, a different class, or a parallel class, the agency head concerned shall make the decision whether a probationary period will be served, subject to approval of the director. The employee concerned shall be notified in writing of the requirement to serve a probationary period, before the transfer.
D. 
Demoted employees. Notwithstanding other provisions of this subsection, an executive employee who is demoted to a classified or partially exempt position shall serve a probationary period. When an employee is demoted to a position in a class where he or she previously held regular status, no probationary period shall be served, except in the case of demotion for disciplinary reasons. When an employee is demoted to a position in which he or she did not hold regular status, the agency head shall decide whether a probationary period will be served, subject to approval of the director. The employee concerned shall be notified of the decision, in writing, before the demotion.
E. 
Reallocation of position. The employee in a reallocated position, whether by reclassification or range change, shall not serve a new probationary period.
F. 
Acting appointments and acting assignments. No probationary period will be required when serving in an acting status. An employee serving in an acting appointment and promoted directly into that position shall have acting time count toward completion of probation. Time served in an acting assignment shall not count toward completion of probation but may be counted toward experience required in minimum qualifications for class of position.
(AO No. 79-195; AO No. 86-207(S-1); AO No. 94-117, § 15, 7-26-1994)
A. 
Regular appointment. Regular appointment to a position in the classified service shall be made only upon satisfactory completion of the probationary period. It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to provide the director a statement, in writing, to the effect that the services of each employee appointed for a probationary period have or have not been performed satisfactorily during such a period and that the employee is or is not recommended to be retained in the services. Unless action is taken by the agency head to separate or demote the employee or to request extension of the probationary period prior to the end of the probationary period, the appointment shall become permanent on the first working day following completion of the probationary period.
B. 
Extension of probationary period. The probationary period of an employee may be extended for a period of time not to exceed three months at the option of the agency head and with prior approval of the director. Notice of such extension and the reasons for it shall be given in writing to the employee, with a copy to the director, prior to the end of the established probationary period. Such an extension does not, however, change the merit anniversary date after the probationary period is finally passed.
C. 
Separation during probationary period.
1. 
If, at any time during the probationary period, the agency head in the exercise of his or her sole judgment and discretion determines that the services of a new or rehired employee have been unsatisfactory, the employee may be separated from his or her position without right of hearing or appeal. Written notice of such dismissal shall be given to the employee prior to taking action.
2. 
When the agency head, in the exercise of his or her sole judgment and discretion, determines that an employee serving a probationary period following promotion is not performing satisfactorily, the employee shall be so informed in writing with a copy to the director. The employee may be separated from the higher level position without right of hearing or appeal. Consideration will be given to demoting the employee to a position in his or her previous class, or in any other available position for which the employee is qualified, or, lacking an open position, the employee's name will be entered on the appropriate layoff list.
3. 
When the agency head, in the exercise of his or her sole judgment and discretion, determines that an employee serving a probationary period following demotion is not performing satisfactorily, the employee shall be so informed in writing with a copy to the director. Separation from that position may occur without right of hearing or appeal. Consideration will be given to placing the employee in an appropriate position for which he or she is qualified, or, lacking an open position, the employee's name will be entered on the layoff list for the class of position in which he or she last successfully completed a probationary period.
4. 
When the agency head, in the exercise of his or her sole judgment and discretion, determines that an employee serving a probationary period following a disciplinary demotion is not performing satisfactorily, the employee shall be so informed in writing with a copy to the director. Separation may occur without right of hearing or appeal. The employee will have no entitlement to placement considerations.
5. 
When the agency head, in the exercise of his or her sole judgment and discretion, determines that an employee serving a probationary period following a transfer is not performing satisfactorily, the employee shall be so informed in writing with a copy to the director. Separation from that position may occur without right of hearing or appeal. Consideration will be given to placing the employee in an appropriate position for which he or she is qualified, or, lacking an open position, the employee's name will be entered on the layoff list for the class of position in which he or she last successfully completed a probationary period.
6. 
Failure to complete a probationary period following transfer, promotion or demotion between a bargaining unit position and a nonrepresented position subject to this chapter shall not entitle an individual with or without status to placement in another nonrepresented position for which that individual is qualified. When the agency head, in the exercise of his or her sole judgment and discretion, determines that an employee serving such a probationary period is not performing satisfactorily, the employee may be separated from that position without right of hearing or appeal. The individual may make application for other positions for which he or she is qualified.
(AO No. 79-195; AO No. 94-117, § 16, 7-26-1994)