Civil Service

Official Proceedings of the Battle Creek Civil Service Commission City Hall 10 N. Division Street Room 302A Battle Creek, Michigan January 3, 2018 4:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Al Giguere and Mike Roller MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Tim Martinovich STAFF PRESENT: Victoria Houser, Chief Dave Schmaltz, Nancy Mullett CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Giguere called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS There were none. REPORTS There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was none. NEW BUSINESS Empco Assessment Center Presentation Charles Castle, Director of Marketing and Project Management, presented information to the Civil Service Commission related to the use of Assessment Centers for promotional testing of Battalion Chief candidates. Mr. Castle informed the Commission that the cities of Troy, Livonia, Southgate and Sterling Heights are all Act 78 cities who use assessment centers. Mr. Castle noted an assessment center is a test to determine a candidate’s knowledge, experience, skills and abilities. Mr. Castle stated the assessment center is customized for the department and position, starting with a job analysis, which includes the job description and the chief’s expectations of the duties and responsibilities, and interpersonal, writing and language skills. Mr. Castle noted Empco trains all of the members of the Assessment Panel. Mr. Castle noted the candidates are scored individually, with a required consensus within 5 points for each assessor. Mr. Castle stated the assessment center would include an interview or self-presentation, two role-play exercises and an In-basket exercise. Mr. Castle stated an orientation is conducted with all candidates to prepare them for the assessment center to ensure they understand the expectations. Mr. Castle noted some departments include the candidate’s education, annual reviews and discipline in the scoring. Due to the numerous tasks of an assessment center, Mr. Castle informed the Commission that only five candidates participate per day. Mr. Castle noted the assessment center would include an opportunity for feedback to the candidates to let them know how they performed and what they could do for future improvement. Responding to Chief Schmaltz’ question related to fees, Mr. Castle stated the City would need to have a new analysis conducted each time an assessment center is conducted, noting they do 1 not reuse past information to eliminate the fee as I/O Solutions does when a new structured oral interview is not created. As to other testing, Mr. Castle stated Empco could also facilitate written exams as the City requests for entry-level fire fighters, and lieutenants and captains if needed. As to entry level testing, Mr. Castle stated the testing is on line at several test sites throughout the state, generally at local colleges and universities. Mr. Castle noted the candidate, not the department, pays the cost of the exam. Mr. Castle stated the online testing saves the candidate time and money as one written test can be available to numerous agencies, allowing the candidate to choose local test sites and which agencies they want to review their records. Candidates are able to view their test scores online within 72 hours and can update their profiles at any time so that different agencies can contact them. Addressing concerns that the entry-level fire fighters would pay for the testing, Mr. Castle noted some agencies reimburse candidates upon hire. Mr. Castle also noted candidates may take the written test one additional time during a 12-month period. As to a question regarding diversity, Mr. Castle stated advertising and recruiting were up to the department, stating departments nationwide have experienced issues with diversity, noting they do not receive many applications from diverse candidates. Commissioners requested staff provide an amendment to the Civil Service Rules to reflect a potential change from written testing and structured oral interviews for Battalion Chief candidates to an assessment center. Commissioners also suggested the amendment include an assessment center for Captain candidates, with changes for Lieutenant and Entry Level Fire Fighters to be considered later. Chief Schmaltz stated he would also review an amendment to Rule 6: Eligibility List (2) to include Fire Lieutenant and Fire Captain. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. COMMISSION COMMENT : There were no Commission comments. ADJOURNMENT : Comm. Giguere adjourned the meeting at 5:18 PM. 2