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PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND RULE VI, SEC.2, (b)(3) (APPLICATION AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LATERAL FIRE FIGHTER TRAINEE) OF THE CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MISCELLANEOUS EMPLOYEES AND AMEND THE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to amend Rule VI, SEC.2, (b)(3) (Application and eligibility requirements for Lateral Fire Fighter Trainee) of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations for Miscellaneous employees and amend the application and selection process.
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DISCUSSION
To more efficiently meet their operational needs, the Fire Department is requesting to amend Civil Service Rule VI, Sec 2, (b)(3) for Miscellaneous Employees to update the eligibility requirements for Fire Fighter Trainee - Lateral. The current rule hinders the Department’s ability to hire experienced lateral Fire Fighter Trainee candidates. Amending the rule and the application and selection process will allow the department to accept EMT and Paramedic certifications from additional qualifying organizations, expand the definition of acceptable agencies in which candidates can obtain work experience, and include the requirement of a Fire Fighter 1 certification issued from an expanded list of acceptable organizations.
The department believes these changes will not only increase the applicant pool of experienced candidates, but it will allow the department to shorten the current mandatory Academy from eighteen (18) weeks to approximately eight (8) weeks. While a shortened academy could potentially result in significant cost savings to the City; more importantly, it will expedite the process of having trained personnel available to service the needs of the community.
Attached, for your review, is the proposed Rule amendment for Miscellaneous employees (Attachment A) and the proposed amendment to the application and selection process (Attachment B). On July 13, 2020, HR provided a copy of the proposed rule amendments to the affected bargaining unit. On August 21, 2020, the City met with Stockton Professional Firefighters Local 456 and came to an agreement that the union stated ‘best serves the department and the Citizens of Stockton’ (Attachment C).
AUTHORITY
These changes are being proposed in accordance with Stockton Municipal Code Section 2.36.030 (A), which states “It shall be the duty of the Civil Service Commission to Establish Rules and Regulations: To adopt, amend, or repeal rules for the administration of the Civil Service System.”
Attachment A - Civil Service Rule VI, Sec. 2 (b)(3) - Redline
Attachment B - Application and Selection Process - Redline
Attachment C - Local 456 - Support for lateral changes