REPORT TO CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Modify the Human Resources Technician (Job Code 508) Examination Weighting Plan to 100% Oral Examination and a Qualifying Supplemental on an Ongoing Basis
Report
ACTION AND AUTHORITY
The Human Resources Department is requesting Commission approval to modify the examination weighting plan for Human Resources Technician (Job Code 508) on an ongoing basis. This request is based on the authority of Civil Service Rule 3.1, “The Commission shall determine whether the examination shall consist of a written, oral, or performance, or psychological, investigative, physical test, or any combination thereof, and shall indicate the procedure in the announcement.”
The Human Resources Technician (Job Code 508) is responsible for a variety of tasks associated with the administration of recruitments, classification and compensation, workers’ compensation, benefits, and training.
DISCUSSION
The Human Resources Department recommends modifying the examination weighting plan for Human Resources Technician (Job Code 508) on an ongoing basis. Currently, the examination weighting plan consists of 100% oral examination and qualifying written examination. The proposed modification is to make the examination weighting a 100% oral examination with a qualifying supplemental questionnaire. The City brought this request forward to the Civil Service Commission on February 14, 2022 and it was not approved by the Commission. The Department is requesting the Commission reconsider this request which will allow additional flexibility in the recruitment process and expand the qualified candidate pool.
The minimum qualifications for the position require a high school diploma or GED and 2 years of experience in technical or clerical human resources programs. The acceptable substitution allows for 30 college credits to be substituted for the experience requirement on a year for year basis. The written examination assesses written communication, analytical ability, ability to maintain accurate records, mathematical ability, and interpersonal skills. Given the minimum qualifications require either human resources experience or college credits, these areas of assessment on the written exam are already assessed based on the candidate meeting the minimum qualifications and possess applicable human resources experience or completing college credits. Additionally, the written examination is not assessing human resources technical ability which would be more relevant for the examination. In order to address the technical abilities normally assessed at the written exam, the Department will ask technical questions on the job application and oral examination which will be evaluated to determine the most competitive applicants to move forward to the next phase of the recruitment process. Additionally, the Department has 12-months to assess the employee’s performance during the probationary period and will use this time to assess the technical knowledge and abilities of the selected applicant.
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 to revise the examination weighing plan other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Civil Service Commission 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
Approve modifying the Human Resources Technician (Job Code 508) weighting plan to 100% oral examination and qualifying supplemental on an ongoing basis
Staff
Reviewed by: Ashley Lancaster, Deputy Director
Approved by: Aracely Azevedo, Director of Human Resources