REPORT TO CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion of Classified Minimum Qualifications
Report
BACKGROUND
At the April 11, 2024 Civil Service Commission meeting, commissioners requested to add a discussion item to a future meeting agenda regarding adding an experience equivalency for college/university degree requirements listed on some classified class specifications. This discussion also included consideration of degrees from institutions outside the United States.
DISCUSSION
The current City practice is for the hiring Department to review the class specification before a job announcement is posted. The hiring manager (also known as the subject matter expert) is provided the class specification and is given the opportunity to propose edits, including to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) section. If the hiring manager determines edits need to be made to the class specification, the revisions are reviewed by the Human Resources Department, the impacted City department(s), and the impacted bargaining group. During this review process, Human Resources staff may also conduct a classification study to ensure proposed modifications are in alignment with the industry standards of its comparator agencies, which would include aligning the minimum qualification requirements.
Once the revisions are completed and the impacted stakeholders agree with the proposed revisions, the class specification revisions are brought to the Civil Service Commission for approval in accordance with Civil Service Rules & Regulations.
As a preliminary matter, it is important to note that many classified positions do not require any education beyond a high school diploma or possession of a G.E.D. For class specifications that list “education equivalent to” a college/university degree, current practice is to consider the degree and/or number of units reported on the application to determine if the candidate meets MQs. For class specifications that list “education and experience equivalent to” a college/university and specified years of related experience, each year of qualifying work experience is considered as equivalent to the education requirement on a year-for-year basis. Staff wishes to note that for certain engineering classifications, such as the Civil Engineer classifications, graduation from a university that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is required as part of the education MQs and there is no flexibility to consider an experience equivalency or other substitution option.
In addition, the City would like to note that, at the direction of the City Manager’s Office, for classifications where the MQs require a college/university degree or coursework, all degrees earned from accredited post-secondary institutions outside the United States will be acceptable to the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff has no recommendation.
Staff
Reviewed by: Ashley Lancaster, Human Resources Division Manager
Approved by: Aracely Azevedo, Director of Human Resources