Section 30.  Career Opportunities Program

30.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Career Opportunities Program is to provide current employees with opportunities to promote, transfer, or change careers within the County in a way that is fair, competitive, easily understandable, efficient and appropriate to the County’s needs.  Investing in and utilizing talents of its employees will enhance the performance of the organization.

30.2 Components

A. Promotional Opportunities

Recruitments for classifications covered by this program will be conducted on either a promotional basis (as designated in Exhibit L 1.) or an open and promotional basis (as designated in Exhibit L 2.).  All recruitments for these classifications will be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, and any appeals will be processed under authority of the Civil Service Rules.

B. Transfer Opportunities

The Transfer Program permits employees to transfer from one position to another without competitive examination, within the specific classification groupings listed in Exhibit L 3.  Utilization of the Transfer Program is at the department’s discretion.  An employee wishing to transfer must meet the minimum qualifications for the position desired, and must possess any certificates, licenses, education and experience required for that position.  Interested employees will be interviewed by the appointing authority, who may request that candidates submit paperwork for the interview.  Depending on the number of interested employees, the appointing authority may conduct a screening prior to the interviews.

Career Development Committee

In 2015, the County established a labor-management Career Development Program (CDP) Committee to evaluate the needs of today’s workplace and employees, and to restore and update the Career Opportunities Program. 

The CDP Committee is composed of County and labor representatives, not to exceed two (2) representatives from each participating labor organization and four (4) County representatives.

The CDP Committee will continue meeting on a quarterly basis during the term of this agreement to address training and development activities to enable employees to improve knowledge, skills and abilities in order to achieve promotional eligibility. 

The committee may agree to modify aspects of the program to include revisions to the classes listed in Exhibits L1 and L2. 

30.3 Appeals Process 

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Grievance Section of the Memorandum of Understanding appeals of employees of applications of the procedures of the Career Opportunities Program shall go directly to the Human Resources Director and if not satisfactorily resolved then to the Civil Service Commission.  Procedures that are appealable under this section have been mutually agreed to by the Career Opportunities Program Joint Labor/Management Committee.