Merit System

The Merit System ensures that employment, job classification and termination are practiced fairly with respect to classified employees. Therefore, the Personnel Commission operates on a merit system with the following objectives:

Hiring of classified employees is based on job qualifications and not on ”whom a job applicant knows.” An individual is not prevented from working for the office because someone working here does not like him or her.

Employees have a competitive chance for promotional opportunities.

Employees are placed in the proper job classification. If an employee is found to be doing tasks outside of his or her job classification, the commission has the legal authority to reclassify the employee to a different, more appropriate job classification.

If an employee is suspended, demoted, or terminated from the office, it is for a justifiable reason. The process is addressed through a formal hearing, which the Personnel Commission grants to the employee upon written request.

Merit Principles

The Merit System is designed to provide a fair and equitable personnel management program dedicated to the recruitment, retention and development of classified (non-teaching) employees on the basis of merit and fitness. It assures fair treatment of applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration without regard to political affiliation, sex, age or religious creed, and with proper regard for their privacy and constitutional rights as citizens.