HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CSC-2020-01-15CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
January 15, 2020
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Abrams
Commissioner Thompson
Excused: Commissioner Richardson
Staff Present: Valerie Saul (Deputy Director of Human Resources)
John Joly (Deputy Police Chief)
Commissioner Abrams called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm.
APPOINTMENT OF ACTING CHAIR
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to appoint Commissioner Abrams as Acting Chair
of the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 2-0.
ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to elect Commissioner Richardson as Chairperson
of the Civil Service Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 2-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2019
meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0.
DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS TO CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION EXECUTIVE
SECRETARY
Commissioner Abrams made the following motion:
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Civil Service Commission, at its annual organizational meeting held
on January 15, 2020, has reviewed the functions and responsibilities of the Commission and
the Executive Secretary and has determined that certain functions may be carr ied out more
efficiently and effectively by the Executive Secretary.
NOW, IT IS RESOLVED, that the Executive Secretary of the Ithaca Civil Service
Commission be delegated and is authorized to carry out the following functions on behalf of
the Ithaca Civil Service Commission:
Certify payrolls;
Approve and/or disapprove permanent, provisional and other temporary
appointments to competitive class positions;
Approve and/or disapprove appointments to non-competitive, labor and exempt class
positions;
Approv e and/or disapprove personnel transactions including, but not limited to,
appointments, promotions, demotions, resignations, retirements, lay -offs, removals,
transfers, reinstatements, leaves of absence, and suspensions;
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January 15, 2020 Page 2
Manage and administer the examination process including, but not limited to, ordering
examinations, preparing and issuing exam announcements, ordering exam materials,
receiving and securing exam materials, approving and disapproving requests for
alternate test dates or testing accommodations, administering examinations to
candidates, calculating and awarding seniority points, and receiving and processing
exam results;
Manage eligible lists including, but not limited to, certifying eligibles for appointment,
canvassing eligible lists, and restricting or reinstating candidates from or to eligible
lists;
Approve and/or disapprove applications for examination, employment or promotion;
Determine eligibility for transfer or reinstatement, within the parameters set forth in
NYS Civil Service Law and the City of Ithaca Civil Service Rules;
Establish qualifications for promotional examinations;
Approve and/or disapprove claims for veterans and disabled veterans credits;
Review and recommend classification of positions;
Maintain and manage roster rec ords, personnel files, and other employment records;
Prepare, maintain and manage the official records of the Ithaca Civil Service
Commission, including meeting agendas, meeting minutes, job descriptions, duties
statements, examination records, eligible lists, and annual reports;
Prepare and maintain the City of Ithaca Civil Service Rules.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Civil Service Commission reaffirms the
appointment of Deputy Director of Human Resources Valerie Saul as its Executive
Secretary.
Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0.
NEW BUSINESS
New Position Duties Statement and Adoption of Job Description: Planning – Director
of Sustainability
The Commission reviewed and discussed a New Position Duties Statement from the
Planning Department and the proposed job description for Director of Sustainability.
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to classify the position as Director of Sustainability
and adopt the job description as proposed. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion
carried 2-0.
Revision of Minimum Qualifications and Special Requirements: Senior Water
Treatment Plant Operator
The Commission reviewed proposed revisions to the minimum qualifications and special
requirements for Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator. The revisions align with the state
licensing requirements for a Grade IA Water Treatment Plant Operator certificate, which will
be required within two years of appointment. The revised minimum qualifications and
special requirements will be as follows:
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January 15, 2020 Page 3
“MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Graduation from a NYS registered or regionally accredited college or university with
a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Natural Resource
Management or a closely related field with similar course curriculum, and two (2)
years of full-time paid experience, or its part-time paid equivalent, in the operation
of a Type IA water treatment plant; or
B. Graduation from a NYS registered or regionally accredited college with an
Associate's Degree in an applied science, with at least one semester course in
water treatment plant operations, and four (4) years of full-time paid experience, or
its part-time paid equivalent, in the operation of a Type IA water treatment plant; or
C. Graduation from a NYS registered or regionally accredited college with an
Associate's Degree in an applied science, and six (6) years of full-time paid
experience, or its part-time paid equivalent, in the operation of a Type IA water
treatment plant; or
D. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalenc y diploma
and ten (10) years of full-time paid experience, or its part-time paid equivalent, in
the operation of a Type IA water treatment plant.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Candidates must possess a current Grade IIA Water Treatment Plant Operator
certificate issued by the New York State Department of Health pursuant to Part 5,
Subpart 5-4.2 of the New York State Sanitary Code at the time of appointment, and
must obtain a Grade IA Water Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the
New York State Department of Health pursuant to Part 5, Subpart 5-4.2 of the New
York State Sanitary Code within two (2) years of appointment. Said licenses must
be maintained for the duration of employment.
2. Possession of a valid New York State Class D driver license or a valid driver
license equivalent to a New York State Class D driver license at the time of
appointment and maintenance of said license for the duration of employment.”
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to revise the minimum qualifications and special
requirements as proposed. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0.
Revision of Minimum Qualifications: Building Maintenance Mechanic (ICSD)
The Commission reviewed proposed revisions to the minimum qualifications for the Building
Maintenanc e Mechanic title at the Ithaca City School District. The revisions reflect the
current career paths applicants traditionally follow to reach the journey level in skilled
building trades. The revised minimum qualifications will read as follows:
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January 15, 2020 Page 4
“MINIMU M QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and
completion of an approved apprenticeship program in one or more of the mechanical,
electrical or construction trades; or
B. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma,
including or supplemented by completion of a BOCES trades program, VoPro or similar
program in one of the mechanical, electrical or construction trades, and two (2) years of
full-time experience, or its part-time equivalent, in one or more of the skilled building
trades, general building construction work, building maintenance work ; or
C. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and
four (4) years of full-time experience, or its part-time equivalent, in one or more of the
skilled building trades, general building construction work, building maintenance
work ; or
D. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of this
section.”
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to revise the minimum qualifications as proposed.
Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 2-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to go into executive session to discuss civil service
examination and eligible list matters. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion
carried 2-0. During executive session, the Commission took the following actions:
Disqualification of Candidate
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to disqualify a candidate from Police Officer
Eligible List #67-955, pursuant to Section 50.4(a) of New York State Civil Service Law and
Rule IX, Section 3 of the City of Ithaca Civil Service Rules. Seconded by Commissioner
Abrams. Motion carried 2-0.
CONTINUING BUSINESS
Addition of Candidates to Continuous Recruitment Eligible Lists
Commissioner Abrams m ade a motion to add candidates to the continuous recruitment
eligible lists. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0.
Approval of Personnel Transactions
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to approve the monthly personnel transactions.
Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0.
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January 15, 2020 Page 5
The next Civil Service Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at
11:30 am.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm.