The appointing authority shall determine whether open positions shall be advertised internally and/or to the general public. Notice of such open positions shall be posted on the city's website at least five days prior to the promotional closing.
A. 
Open positions may be published on the city's website and by any other means as the human resources director shall deem necessary at least 10 days prior to the closing date for such employment opportunity.
B. 
A notice of open positions shall contain the position title, a brief description of the job duties and requirements, the wage scale or salary range, and a description of all the benefits and other compensation to be offered as required by RCW 49.58.110. Applicants selected for examination shall be advised of the examination date and place, type(s) of examinations to be employed and any special examination requirements.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 34-86; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
Application for open positions in city employment shall be made electronically through the city's online applicant tracking system, and submitted to the human resources department at such time as a vacancy is advertised.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
The human resources department may reject any application for one or more of the following reasons:
A. 
If the applicant lacks any of the minimum qualifications set forth in the position classification or examination announcement;
B. 
If the applicant cannot perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation to which the applicant seeks appointment, or has previously been terminated from the city service for misconduct or unsatisfactory job performance;
C. 
If the applicant has falsified the application or the application is deemed incomplete;
D. 
If, after notification, the applicant is not present at the time and place designated for the examination.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
Oral, written, physical performance or skill proficiency examinations, or any combination of these, may be employed as it is deemed appropriate as long as they are job related and serve to provide a satisfactory measure of the applicant's qualifications and capability to perform the essential functions of the position. Examinations shall be developed and administered by the human resources department or purchased from vendors where such tests are verified to be valid and reliable.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
The human resources staff shall document examination results and scores using appropriate statistical and testing techniques and shall determine the relative rating of the competitors.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
A. 
In all competitive examinations, the city shall give a scoring criteria status to all veterans as defined by RCW 41.04.007 by adding to the passing score, based upon a possible rating of 100 points, a percentage in accordance with the following:
1. 
Ten percent to a veteran who served during a period of war or in an armed conflict as defined in RCW 41.04.005 and does not receive military retirement. The percentage shall be added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the veteran's first appointment. The percentage shall not be utilized in promotional examinations.
2. 
Five percent to a veteran who did not serve during a period of war or in an armed conflict as defined in RCW 41.04.005 or who is receiving military retirement. The percentage shall be added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the veteran's first appointment. The percentage shall not be utilized in promotional examinations.
3. 
Five percent to a veteran who was called to active military service from employment with the state or any of its political subdivisions or municipal corporations. The percentage shall be added to promotional examinations until the first promotion only.
B. 
All veterans' scoring criteria may be claimed:
1. 
Upon release from active military service with an honorable discharge or a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record, where applicable; or
2. 
Upon receipt of a United States Department of Defense discharge document DD form 214, NGB form 22, or their equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes his or her service as honorable.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
The city manager is authorized to make all appointments in the city administration, and when the city manager deems the best interest of the city requires, remove officers and employees of the city, unless otherwise provided by the Charter or by the general laws. The manager may authorize the deputy city manager, assistant city manager, and/or director of a department to appoint and remove subordinates in such department.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
A. 
The human resources department shall create a certification list for each vacant position, bearing the names of all persons completing the competitive examination process with scores of not less than 70 percent within classified service. These names shall be carried on the certification list for a period of one year.
B. 
Names may be removed from the certification list for the following reasons:
1. 
Request of the applicant;
2. 
In the case of police officer applicants, a prior conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
3. 
An applicant's prior conviction of a crime which relates reasonably to the position applied for, provided the date of such conviction or prison release, whichever is more recent, is less than seven years old;
4. 
Applicant's death;
5. 
Applicant's refusal to accept employment in a position class for which they applied;
6. 
Applicant's failure to inform human resources of their correct contact information;
7. 
Applicant's failure to appear for employment interview or preemployment testing;
8. 
Applicant's attempted deception or fraud in connection with the application or examination;
9. 
Applicant's dismissal from any other classified position for reasons of misconduct and/or unsatisfactory performance;
10. 
Expiration of one full year after entry on the list.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 30-99; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
A. 
Appointments for all classified service, both entry and promotional, in the city service shall be made from the appropriate certification list; providing, that where diligent efforts to establish such lists have been unsuccessful, a provisional appointment may be made.
B. 
Upon receipt of an appropriate certification list from the human resources director, an appointing authority shall make an appointment to a position from the top three names on that list; provided, however, that the appointing authority may refuse to appoint from a certification list containing fewer than three names and request a new certification list be made.
C. 
Should a candidate demonstrate exceptional qualifications by virtue of knowledge, skills and prior experience, the appointing authority may request a direct appointment to city service with the approval of human resources and the appropriate department head.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 2-86; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 30-99; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
A. 
Whenever the city manager determines that in order to secure the services of any person not residing within the Richland area as an employee of the city it is necessary to pay the cost of moving the household goods and personal effects of such person from place of residence to the city upon appointment to city service, then payment of reasonable and necessary moving costs may be made from appropriate available maintenance and operation funds in the city's annual budget, upon the recommendation of the city manager.
B. 
When the appointing authority deems it necessary to interview applicants to fill positions requiring special experience and training, and applicants reside outside the city limits, the appointing authority is authorized to pay necessary travel and subsistence expenses to bring a limited number of applicants to the city for in-person interviews; providing funds for the payment of such expenses are available.
C. 
In cases of certain examinations which may require the professional expertise of a person outside the city service, the appointing authority is authorized to pay necessary travel and subsistence expenses to bring a limited number of such persons to the city for participation in such examinations; providing funds for payment of such expenses are available.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
In order to best use knowledge, skills, abilities and performance of city employees, the appointing authority shall fill vacancies by promotion whenever practicable. Such promotions shall be based on competitive selection processes, except in those cases where the appointing authority determines that a particular employee, who by virtue of length and quality of work experience for the city, is exceptionally qualified for the promotion; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall apply to promotional appointments in the police department and fire and emergency services department covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Promotional appointments in those departments shall be based upon the process set forth in RMC § 2.28.410 through § 2.28.450.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 2-86; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 30-99; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
Provisional appointments may be made in the classified service when no appropriate certification list exists. Such appointments shall have a maximum duration of four months and may not continue beyond a 10-day period after the establishment of an appropriate certification list.
(Ord. 50-77 § 1.02; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)
In recognition of the special needs of the city from time to time to employ student trainees or interns in diverse programmatic areas designed to meet the desires and needs of the citizens of Richland, authority is granted to the human resources director to make occasional appointments of qualified persons to meet these special needs, budget permitting and in accordance with law and city policy.
A. 
The procedure and requirements for appointments to city service provided in this chapter are waived for special appointments made pursuant to this section or the compensation plan.
B. 
Persons appointed pursuant to this section shall be deemed employees only insofar as wages, and state or federal mandated benefits such as Social Security, industrial insurance, and unemployment compensation are concerned. Other benefits, privileges, protections or rights, including tenure, provided by this chapter, or the compensation plan shall not apply nor shall persons appointed pursuant to this section become eligible for them. Persons so appointed serve solely at the pleasure of the city. Persons so appointed shall be advised in writing of their specific employment status as set forth in this section.
C. 
Special appointment of individual persons may be recurring, but any single appointment shall not extend beyond eight continuous months.
D. 
Salary for services rendered by persons appointed pursuant to this section shall be an hourly rate and shall be set by the human resources director to be commensurate with the skills needed to meet the special need for which the special appointment is being made. Provisions of this chapter regarding salary and benefits other than those set forth in this section shall not apply to persons under special appointment.
(Ord. 34-86; Ord. 6-87; Ord. 3-97; Ord. 47-99; Ord. 25-07; Ord. 2022-29 § 1; Ord. 2023-30 § 1)