Civil Service Commission
Regular MeetingOak Harbor, WA · October 17, 2024
Minutes
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
MINUTES
City Hall – Mayor’s Conference Room
865 SE Barrington Drive, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Thursday – October 17, 2024 1:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL: 1:57 PM
Position and Board Member Attendance
Position 1 – Sandi Peterson, Chair In Person ☒ Online ☐ Absent ☐
Position 2 – Dana Ledford In Person ☒ Online ☐ Absent ☐
Position 3 – VACANT In Person ☐ Online ☐ Absent ☐
Staff Present: Civil Service Secretary, HR Analyst Liflor Barrera, HR Director Emma House, Police Captain
Kevin Barton, and Fire Chief Travis Anderson. Chief Tony Slowik—excused.
1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
a. MOTION: Chair Commissioner Peterson motioned to accept the Agenda, Seconded by
Commissioner Ledford. The motion passed unanimously and as presented.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
a. MOTION: Chair Commissioner Peterson motioned to approve the July 18, 2024 minutes as
presented, seconded by Commission Ledford. The motion carried unanimously.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comments were submitted electronically and no citizens
were in attendance at the meeting.
4. DISCUSSION/ACTION/PRESENTATION/REPORT ITEMS:
a. Discuss, Review, and Update the last two (2) amendments made to the Civil Service Rules.
I. November 11, 2019 (7.02, 7.03, 7.04, 7.05, 7.06, 9.02, 9.03) Futher review is required
before any language change is to be made.
II. September 21, 2023 (7.05(a1), (a2)) – refers to the promotional recruitment of firefighters.
Chief Anderson request to change it. Futher review is required before any language change
is to be made.
b. Police Department Update
I. Sargeant List Certification Extension request presented by Capt. Barton. – the commission
approved the request to extend the Sargeant List Certification to April 2025 as presented.
II. Evidence Specialist staffing plan – Capt. Barton presented the eligible register and
requested the commissioners to certify it for later recruitment. The initial plan to fill the
position externally has been changed to filling the position internally following Section “13.
TRANSFER—REDUCTION.” of the civil service rules.
III. MOTION: Commissioner Dana Ledford, seconded by Chair Commissioner Peterson,
moved to approve the transfer of current internal civil service employee Tammy Glover, a
Page 1 of 3
Records Information Specialist, to the Evidence Specialist position to fill the current
vacancy.
IV. MOTION: Commissioner Dana Ledford, seconded by Chair Commissioner Peterson,
moved to certify the Evidence Specialist Eligible Register as presented by Capt. Barton for
future recruitment. This motion passed unanimously.
V. The Police Department will fill the vacated Records Specialist position and the current
requisition for one (1) Records Information Specialist through the regular recruitment
process.
c. Fire Department Update
I. Concern on current contract calling for more qualifications to act in the position to be
promoted to the position.
a. The actual job requirements for the Lieutenant position are significantly less than what
is outlined in the job contract.
b. Job specifications are currently being revised to show all the actual training and other
requirements required to qualify and be in the Lieutenant position.
c. Chief to bring in-house the required training by teaching the classes himself avoiding
the Federal Government logistic issues.
II. Language change proposal to Civil Service Rule 9.02.02 to increase the total number of
candidates to “up to 30” invited to the interview and oral board. Further discussion of the
change to be discuss and consider at a later date. Chief to send the Secretary the language
change for action.
III. Any reference to Paid on Call (poc) firefighters will be removed from the Civil Service Rules
will be removed to reflect the phasing out of the poc by January 2025.
IV. Succession Planning –
a. Creating in-house officer development program that will give future officers/supervisors
the knowledge, skills, and abilities to hold these positions.
b. Will prepare candidates to be more successful in promotional processes. What and
how education plays a role in the career advancement process of the firefighters.
c. Currently working on job specifications to reflect appropriate educational requirements
by position.
V. Recruitment –
a. In the process of hiring two (2) full-time EMT/FF
b. Plan to create two (2) positions (Division Chief & Fire Marshall) to fill the Deputy Chief
position once it is vacated by the current Deputy Fire Chief. Currently, there is only
one person who is handling both the Operational and Fire Marshall role—too much for
only one person doing it.
a. Division Chief—Operation role (Leadership & Management), which the Chief will
have to take on temporarily until future funding or a grant becomes available. It
will be an added responsibilities, but it must be done for effective and efficient
operation of the Department.
a. Fire Marshall role—role independent of the leadership and management due to
tasks involve. This role handles “prevention, public education, and plan reviews.”
The position “requires a State certification” and one of their unique task is to
review building plans for compliance, and certify them before the structure is built.
d. Civil Service Secretary Update
Page 2 of 3
I. Status of the Commissioner Application Process—per the Mayor, the current recruitment
process for Commissioner is on hold and under review. Recruitment will resume after a
new process is put in place.
II. Police Academy locations update—with the regional testing facilities opening up in
Pasco and Marysville, and soon in Vancouver, showed a decrease in the waiting time
for candidates to attend the academy.
III. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)1 work eligibility
a. Police2
b. Firefighters3 and any other Civil Service positions
IV. 4th Edition Civil Service Rule Model is out
V. Additional Competitive Exam Preference Points (At Agency’s Discretion) 4
5. DETERMINATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
n/a
6. ADJOURNMENT: 3:05 PM.
Minutes taken and completed by Liflor Barrera, HR Analyst/Civil Service Secretary
[s]
________________________________ ___________________________
Chair Commissioner Sandi Peterson Civil Service Secretary Liflor Barrera
1 DACA Identification
2 41.12.070 (Civil Service for City Police). RCW 41.12.070: Qualifications of applicants—Law enforcement agencies.
(n.d.). Leg.wa.gov. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=41.12.070
3 41.08.070 (Civil Service for City Fire). RCW 41.08.070: Qualifications of applicants. (n.d.). Leg.wa.gov. Retrieved
October 16, 2024, from https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=41.08.070
4 RCW 41.054.012 Competitive examination preference points. RCW 41.04.012: Competitive examination preference
points. (n.d.). Leg.wa.gov. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=41.04.012
Page 3 of 3
Agenda
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
AGENDA
City Hall – Mayor’s Conference Room
865 SE Barrington Drive, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Thursday – October 17, 2024 1:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL:
Position and Board Member Attendance
Position 1 – Sandi Peterson, Chair In Person ☐ Online ☐ Absent ☐
Position 2 – Dana Ledford In Person ☐ Online ☐ Absent ☐
Position 3 – VACANT In Person ☐ Online ☐ Absent ☐
1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
a.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
a. Regular Meeting of July 18, 2024
3. PUBLIC COMMENT: During this time, citizens may comment on subjects of interest, not on the
agenda or agenda items. To ensure comments are recorded properly, state your name clearly.
Individual comments will be limited to three (3) minutes to ensure maximum participation during
the 15-minute timeframe allotted for this item. Public Comment may also be submitted online at
https://www.oakharbor.gov/publiccomment at least two (2) business days in advance of a Civil
Service Committee Meeting.
4. DISCUSSION/ACTION/PRESENTATION/REPORT ITEMS:
a. Discuss, Review, and Update the last two (2) amendments made to the Civil Service Rules.
I. November 11, 2019 (7.02, 7.03, 7.04, 7.05, 7.06, 9.02, 9.03)
II. September 21, 2023 (7.05(a1), (a2))
b. Police Department Update
I. Sargeant List Certification Extension request
II. Evidence Specialist staffing plan
c. Fire Department Update
I. Working on changing job specs for Lieutenant and Captain positions.
II. Concern on current contract calling for more qualifications to act in the position to be
promoted to the position.
Page 1 of 1
R:\Boards and Commissions\Civil Service Commission (CSC)\Agendas & Minutes\10.17.24_ CSC Agenda
(revised).docx
III. Succession Planning –
i. Creating in-house officer development program that will give future
officers/supervisors the knowledge, skills, and abilities to hold these positions.
ii. Will prepare candidates to be more successful in promotional processes
IV. Recruitment –
i. Hiring two full-time firefighters/EMT
ii. Discuss the planned recruitment process
d. Civil Service Secretary Update
I. Status of the Commissioner Application Process
II. Police Academy locations update
III. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) 1 work eligibility
a. Police 2
b. Firefighters 3 and any other Civil Service positions
IV. 4th Edition Civil Service Rule Model is out
V. Additional Competitive Exam Preference Points (At Agency’s Discretion) 4
5. MEMBER COMMENTS/DISCUSSIONS/ACTION/PRESENTATION/REPORT ITEMS:
6. DETERMINATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
7. ADJOURNMENT:
1
DACA Identification
2
41.12.070 (Civil Service for City Police). RCW 41.12.070: Qualifications of applicants—Law enforcement agencies.
(n.d.). Leg.wa.gov. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=41.12.070
3
41.08.070 (Civil Service for City Fire). RCW 41.08.070: Qualifications of applicants. (n.d.). Leg.wa.gov. Retrieved
October 16, 2024, from https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=41.08.070
4
RCW 41.054.012 Competitive examination preference points. RCW 41.04.012: Competitive examination preference
points. (n.d.). Leg.wa.gov. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=41.04.012
Page 2 of 2
FOOTNOTE 1
10/16/24, 10:30 AM RCW 41.04.012: Competitive examination preference points.
FOOTNOTE 4
PDF RCW 41.04.012
Competitive examination preference points.
(1) In all competitive examinations, unless otherwise provided in this section, to determine the
qualifications of applicants for public offices, positions, or employment, either the state, and all of its
political subdivisions and all municipal corporations, or private companies or agencies contracted with by
the state to give the competitive examinations may, at the discretion of the agency head within the hiring
organization, add a maximum of 15 percent to the passing mark, grade, or rating only, based upon a
possible rating of 100 as a perfect percentage in accordance with any of the following qualifications:
(a) Ten percent to a candidate who has obtained full professional proficiency or who is completely
fluent as a native speaker in two or more languages other than English;
(b) Five percent to a candidate who has obtained full professional proficiency or who is
completely fluent as a native speaker in one language other than English;
(c) Five percent to a candidate with two or more years of professional experience or volunteer
experience in the peace corps, AmeriCorps, domestic violence counseling, mental or behavioral health
care, homelessness programs, or other social services professions; and
(d) Five percent to a candidate who has obtained an associate of arts or science degree or higher
degree.
(2) Preference points under this section may not be aggregated to exceed more than 15 percent
of the applicant's examination score.
(3) The percentage shall be added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive
examinations until the candidate's first appointment. No preference points under this subsection may be
used in promotional examinations.
(4) For purposes of this section, "full professional fluency" means the ability to have advanced
discussions on a wide range of topics about personal life, current events, and technical topics, including
but not limited to law enforcement, emergency services, and public safety-related protocols. Candidates
with this level of fluency should demonstrate an extensive vocabulary and be able to carry on a
conversation with ease, making only minor mistakes.
(5) For purposes of this section, "native speaker" means a person who was either raised
speaking the language or has been speaking it for such a duration that the person is completely fluent.
[ 2024 c 330 s 1.]
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=41.04.012 1/1
10/16/24, 10:41 AM RCW 41.08.070: Qualifications of applicants. Footnote 3
PDF RCW 41.08.070
Qualifications of applicants.
An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service under the provisions of this chapter,
must be a citizen of the United States of America, a lawful permanent resident, or a deferred action for
childhood arrivals recipient. An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service under the
provisions of this chapter must be able to speak, read, and write the English language.
An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service must be of an age suitable for the
position applied for, in ordinary good health, of good moral character and of temperate and industrious
habits; these facts to be ascertained in such manner as the commission may deem advisable.
[ 2024 c 330 s 5; 2018 c 32 s 1; 1972 ex.s. c 37 s 2; 1963 c 95 s 1; 1935 c 31 s 7; RRS s 9558-7.]
NOTES:
Purpose—1972 ex.s. c 37: "It is the purpose of this 1972 amendatory act to increase the
availability of qualified applicants for employment in positions of public safety in municipal government;
namely, firemen and policemen; and to eliminate present inequities that result from the application of
residency requirements under existing statutes pertaining to such employment." [ 1972 ex.s. c 37 s 1.]
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=41.08.070 1/1
10/16/24, 10:41 AM RCW 41.12.070: Qualifications of applicants—Law enforcement agencies.
FOOTNOTE 2
PDF RCW 41.12.070
Qualifications of applicants—Law enforcement agencies.
An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service under the provisions of this chapter,
must be a citizen of the United States of America, a lawful permanent resident, or a deferred action for
childhood arrivals recipient. An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service under the
provisions of this chapter must be able to speak, read, and write the English language.
An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service must be of an age suitable for the
position applied for, in ordinary good health, of good moral character and of temperate and industrious
habits; these facts to be ascertained in such manner as the commission may deem advisable.
An application for a position with a law enforcement agency may be rejected if the law
enforcement agency deems that it does not have the resources to conduct the background investigation
required pursuant to chapter 43.101 RCW. Resources means materials, funding, and staff time. Nothing
in this section impairs an applicant's rights under state antidiscrimination laws.
[ 2024 c 330 s 6; 2018 c 32 s 2; 1972 ex.s. c 37 s 3; 1963 c 95 s 2; 1937 c 13 s 7; RRS s 9558a-7.]
NOTES:
Purpose—1972 ex.s. c 37: See note following RCW 41.08.070.
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=41.12.070 1/1
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