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PERSONNEL - Personnel Director Coral Ferrin
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) Request adoption of revised TCPR §1407: Political Activities
b) Request adoption of revised TCPR §2103: Recruitment
c) Request adoption of revised TCPR §2105: Screening Process
d) Request adoption of revised TCPR §2106: Interview Process
e) Request adoption of revised TCPR §2301: Probation Period Permanent Status
f) Request adoption of revised TCPR §7409: Skelly Process
g) Request adoption of revised TCPR §7410: Appeals Process
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Financial Impact:
There is no fiscal impact.
Background Information:
Regular Personnel Rules review and revision is a crucial part of an effective policy and procedure management plan. Updating rules to ensure they are consistent, effective, compliant with State and Federal laws, and understood by all parties. In addition to regular review and revisions, Tehama County has been in the process of transitioning the Department of Social Services and the Department of Child Support Services to an Approved Local Merit System (ALMS) for nearly three years. As part of this transition, Tehama County must demonstrate our personnel rules are in compliance with the six merit principles established by the Code of Federal Regulations Title 5 - Administrative Personnel as well as California Code of Regulations, which are also known as Local Agency Personnel Standards (LAPS).
In November 2024, Tehama County received conditional approval to operate as an ALMS County with the understanding further measures would be taken to correct certain areas which were identified for improvement by California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). The following revisions have been made specifically to ensure adherence to Merit System Services (MSS) standards.
TCPR §1407: Political Activities: Political Activities has been revised to include and expand on details specific to permitted and prohibited political activities with the goal of ensuring employees have a clearer understanding of the political activities they are allowed to engage in, as well as assist with maintaining a nonpartisan workplace environment.
TCPR §2103: Recruitment: Recruitment has been revised to reflect information relative to the closing date and time of each recruitment. Additionally, methods of accepting applications has been added.
TCPR §2105: Screening Process: Screening Process has been revised to identify the grounds on which applicants can appeal actions and decisions made during the candidate selection process and how to file an appeal. Further, additional information was added relative to application screening and examinations.
TCPR §2106: Interview Process: Interview Process has been revised to include language requiring notification to candidates who are unsuccessful regardless of whether they are external or internal candidates for employment.
TCPR §2301: Probation Period / Permanent Status: Probation Period / Permanent Status has been revised to identify the length of the probation period, the frequency of performance evaluations, and the appeal process for an employee’s release from probation specific to the Department of Social Services and Department of Child Support services.
TCPR §7409: Skelly Process: Skelly Process has been revised to include language which provides a clear explanation of a skelly officer’s impartiality, as well as the timeline required by MSS and how to file a post-discipline appeal.
TCPR §7410: Appeals Process: Appeals Process has been revised to include language which identifies that MSS post-discipline appeals must be in writing and include a description of the relief requested.
Additional language changes have been made to provide clarity. These rules were created by the Personnel staff, then routed through the Personnel Review Ad Hoc Committee, the Department Heads, and the bargaining units. The process then continues to presentation and/or approval by the full Board, which is the current step in processing these Personnel Rules.