civicminded
enthusiast
Posts: 5638
Age: 2
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
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11-14-07 01:49 PM - Post#32089
In response to sco
Great questions. This may not offer enough clarity, but it works like this in most agencies. And this is done by first meeting the qualifications for a given community (different examples exist).
An opening or openings exist. An exam is scheduled, or they refer to a list of existing applicants from the last exam. The results of the written exam determine who is in line for the next steps. These are typically physical testing (agility), background, and physical exam, and interview. Remaining applicants after these batteries of tests, are those considered for or hired for the open slots. Some of these people don't pass certain phases, or get hired elsewhere first. The typical number of potential applicants is as much the reason for these tests, as getting qualified personnel. Some cities have people fly in from elsewhere, just for the chance. If your town is hiring three, and a thousand show, then it's tough to get in sometimes.
Next either a training phase is conducted (after hiring)for some months, or you go right to work in cities that require you have the training before employment. Both examples are seen locally. Some won't make it through their probation, although most will. Yet others will leave and go elsewhere, as they think the grass is greener at the next place. This may or not turn out that way. Now, in a Civil Service city, rank advancement will again be by exam. Personnel will know who qualifies for testing, and what the tested materials will be. And there is typically a brief probation period as well, for the newly promoted. Personnel may either stay in the rank they choose to stay in (for "life") or simply fail to promote due to inadequate test scores. It's interesting to ponder and should be generally appreciated, that NEITHER the clear testing method nor lack thereof results in the best person getting put into a position. Examples can be claimed by either "camp" on such cases. Like Spock told Kirk once about the crew members abilities: "each to his own gifts". The system provided by the Law in discussion only provides an atmosphere of a level playing field, as much as it can be done.
Now for the bosses. Each example can be found among cities. Some places, Councils determine who the Department heads are, and often in the Council/Manager form, the Manager is expected to do these appointments, with the Council "signing off" on the choice. Where I work, the Council once did the selecting, then in a Charter election one change provided that the Manager would do this hiring of the top people. Now some of us (like me) have difficulty getting our foot in the door, simply due to the hiring requirements narrowing the field of potential candidates. Communities are still served, but that old glass ceiling is still there for others, haha.
I truly hope that helps a little. It's much better when people want to know about a thing, rather than be closed to it at the start. Like Mose Harper said (in the Searchers) "Thank you kindly". 
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MsAlyce
enthusiast
Posts: 2488
Age: 50
Loc: Allen,Texas,USA
Reg: 04-03-04
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11-14-07 07:19 PM - Post#32103
In response to sco
In for a penny as the saying goes: The question I ask you is what happens when the rank and file members of a police & fire department not only have problems with the chiefs but with the city manager who "protects" them?
Just a little question to get everyone thinking.
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sco
enthusiast
Posts: 765
Loc: allen,TX USA
Reg: 10-26-02
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11-15-07 08:34 AM - Post#32117
In response to MsAlyce
A firefighter or police officer that has a problem with the layers of management all the way through the city manager that cannot be resolved probably has no option but to vote with their feet and go elsewhere. I would ask the same question, how is that any different than an employee at a private company who has an issue with management?
I think any employee should have avenues for addressing management issues. They should be able to address grievances with management. I think they should be able to bring issues up even with the city council. I'm not sure I disagree with a policy that prevents going to the media. The problem with government employees going to the media has to do with legalities. An employee can go to the media and say they were fired for no reason. The department may of had plenty of reason to fire the person but they are legally prevented from revealing to the media things that are in the employee's confidential file.
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civicminded
enthusiast
Posts: 5638
Age: 2
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
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11-15-07 06:17 PM - Post#32148
In response to sco
My post reply was just lost again. Good thing too, as I was bouncing all over the keyboard from concern here. We're repeating the ailments of the system, and living with it. And also repeating the scenario of employees leaving, which they can not do in these Industries.
In short, if there is a sick system, why? Why not adjust it? Why beat up on employees simply because they can not leave, nor can they safely tell others why things are broken? This is sounding more like that old LAPD case, or some where I work. Self edited, and hopefully posted, haha. 
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MsAlyce
enthusiast
Posts: 2488
Age: 50
Loc: Allen,Texas,USA
Reg: 04-03-04
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11-15-07 07:04 PM - Post#32150
In response to sco
IMHO: The reason you don't want our police and firefighters to "vote with their feet" is COST. Training and experience is too expensive for any city to have a revolving door at the station houses.
Also IMHO:If management is the problem, the employers* of the city (*the populous) must demand a change in management.
Exclusively Before & After, Inc.
972/390-7162
alleneba.com |
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