REPORT TO CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Modify the Jail Service Officer (Job Code 353) Examination Weighting Plan to 100% Oral Examination, and Qualifying Written and Performance Examination on an Ongoing Basis
Report
ACTION AND AUTHORITY
The Human Resources Department coordinated with the Police Department and is requesting Commission approval to modify the examination weighting plan for Jail Service Officer (Job Code 353) 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 Jail Service Officer (Job Code 353) is responsible for a variety of tasks including operating the temporary detention facility, fingerprints and photographs arrestees in the booking process, conducting searches and inventory of property, monitoring building security console, maintaining detention records and releasing prisoners as authorized.
DISCUSSION
The Human Resources Department and Police Department recommends modifying the examination weighting plan for Jail Service Officer (Job Code 353) on an ongoing basis. Currently, the examination weighting plan consists of 100% oral examination and qualifying written examination. The proposed modification is to add a qualifying performance examination. The addition of the performance examination would require candidates to submit proof of completion of a physical test, Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB). The WSTB test includes the following components: obstacle course agility run, body drag, chain link fence climb, solid fence climb, 500-yard run, and 1.5 mile run. This is the same physical test that is required of Recruit Police Officers to submit at time of their application.
The Jail Service Officer classification requires employees to “engage in physically strenuous activities, including: using physical techniques to control persons, pushing or shoving persons to defend self, wrestling people to the ground, breaking up fights between people, operating fire extinguishers or other fire equipment.” Additionally, Jail Service Officer’s are required to complete a Corrections Academy (Adult Corrections Officer Core Course) during their probationary period. During the most recent recruitment process, the hired candidate was not able to complete the physical components required during the academy and resigned from City service within the first week of employment. Another employee, who did pass the academy, struggled through the physical component of the academy. Given the physical nature required by the job and the resources spent for candidates to complete a full backgrounding process, the City is recommending to modify the weighting plan to require candidates to pass the WSTB and submit proof at time of application. This will assist the City with moving candidates forward in the recruitment process will have the best chance of being successful in completing the Corrections Academy.
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 Jail Service Officer (Job Code 353) weighting plan to 100% oral examination, and qualifying written and performance examination on an ongoing basis
Staff
Reviewed by: Ashley Lancaster, Acting Assistant Director of Human Resources
Approved by: Marco Mercado, Acting Director of Human Resources