§ 400.9 — Promotional examinations and procedures

Iowa § 400.9

• Jurisdiction: Iowa
• Title IX: LOCAL GOVERNMENT
• Ch. 400: CIVIL SERVICE

Text

1. The commission shall, at such times as shall be found necessary, under such rules as
shall be prescribed and published in advance by the commission, and posted in the city hall,
hold competitive promotional examinations for the purpose of determining the qualifications
of applicants for promotion to a higher grade under civil service, which examinations shall
be practical in character, and shall relate to such matters as will fairly test the ability of the
applicant to discharge the duties of the position to which the applicant seeks promotion.
2. The commission shall establish guidelines for conducting the examinations under
subsection 1. The commission shall hire persons with expertise to prepare and administer
the examinations approved by the commission for the position in the city for which the
applicant is taking the examination. It may also hire persons with expertise to consult in the
preparation of such examinations if the persons so hired are employed to aid personnel of
the commission in assuring that a fair examination is conducted. A fair examination shall
explore the competence of the applicant in the particular field of examination. The names
of persons approved to administer any examination under this section shall be posted in the
city hall at least twenty-four hours prior to the examination.
3. Vacanciesincivilservicepromotionalgradesshallbefilledbylateraltransfer, voluntary
demotion, or promotion of employees of the city to the extent that the city employees qualify
for the positions. When laterally transferred, voluntarily demoted, or promoted, an employee
shall hold full civil service rights in the position. If an employee of the city does not pass the
promotional examination and otherwise qualify for a vacated position, or if an employee of
the city does not apply for a vacated position, an entrance examination may be used to fill the
vacancy.

4. If there is a certified list of qualified candidates for a promotional appointment, the
following procedures shall be followed:
a. A publication stating that interviews are being scheduled to make a new certified list to
fill a vacancy in a civil service promotional grade classification shall be posted for at least
five working days before the closing date for the interviews in the same locations where
examination notices are posted.
b. An employee who wishes to voluntarily demote or to laterally transfer into a vacancy
and has previously been or is currently in the classification where the vacancy exists shall
notify the civil service commission of the employee’s interest in the vacant position. The
employee shall be added to the list of candidates to be interviewed and considered for the
vacancy.
5. If there is no certified list of qualified candidates for a promotional appointment, the
following procedures shall be followed:
a. When an examination announcement is posted to make a certified list of qualified
candidates, the announcement shall also state that an employee who has been or is
currently employed in the classification where the vacancy exists may notify the civil
service commission of the employee’s interest in the vacant position. Upon notification, the
employee shall be added to the list of candidates for an interview and consideration for the
vacant position.
b. All civil service employees of a city who meet the minimum qualifications for a
classification shall have the right to compete in the civil service examination process to
establish a certified list of qualified candidates.

Legislative History

[C31, 35, §5696-d1; C39, §5696.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §365.9; C75, 77, 79, 81, §400.9]