REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Approve Modifications to Existing Classified Classification Specifications Represented by the Santa Clara Employees' Association (Units 5/7/8)
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Manage Strategically Our Workforce Capacity and Resources
BACKGROUND
Sections 4 and 6 of the Personnel and Salary Resolution require City Council approval of new or revised classifications. The proposed Council action satisfies these requirements.
The Human Resources Department proposed to modify various classification (class) specifications to remove the typing certification and/or words per minute (WPM) requirement as part of the recruitment testing process for various classifications represented by the City of Santa Clara Employees' Association (Units 5/7/8) (hereafter, "SCEA").
The Human Resources Department reviewed these revisions with the SCEA. The SCEA agreed with the proposed revisions and spoke in support of the action at the February 8, 2024 Civil Service Commission meeting.
The modifications to the class specifications were approved by the Civil Service Commission on February 8, 2024.
DISCUSSION
The typing certification primarily assesses the gross words per minute and gross number of errors by a candidate. It is more important for the City to assess quality of work and writing ability, which is assessed during the employee's probationary period.
Additionally, there have been technological advancements in programs and software that significantly reduce the number of errors an individual may make; therefore, the City believes the typing certification does not provide value and is an obsolete assessment tool to determine success of a candidate in the position. The typing certification requirement causes unnecessary constraints on the City's ability to fill vacancies and screens out otherwise qualified candidates from the recruitment process.
There are eighteen (18) class specifications that will be revised to remove references to the ...
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