Title
From the Director, Department of Human Resources, requesting an amendment to Civil Service Rule IV, Section 5 relating to the probationary period for Parks/Highway Maintenance Worker positions.
Body
Issue
As provided in Chapter 33.05(1) of the Milwaukee County Code of General Ordinances, modifications or amendments to existing civil service rules shall be referred to the County Board for consideration prior to the item being considered by the Civil Service Commission.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture, on behalf of both Parks and the Department of Transportation, is requesting that the Civil Service Commission amend Civil Service Rule IV, Section 5, to extend the probationary period for the position of Parks/Highway Maintenance Worker to one year (2,080 straight time hours) from the initial date of hire for persons hired after the effective date of the rule change.
Background
The Parks/Highway Maintenance Worker position is shared between Parks and the Highway Division of the Department of Transportation - the position reports to Parks for 33 weeks in temperate months and Highways for 19 weeks over the winter.
The probationary period for most classified positions is 1,040 straight time hours. However, due to the variable nature of the Parks/Highway Maintenance Worker position, a six-month probation is insufficient to properly assess the individual's ability to fulfill the duties and responsibilities in each function.
Recommendation
The Director, Department of Human Resources, recommends that the request of Parks, on behalf of Parks and DOT, be approved.