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Position types

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Understand different position types

Positions within the City are broadly classified into a handful of, what are known as, position types. The most common are:

  • Permanent Civil Service
  • Permanent Exempt
  • Temporary Exempt
  • As needed

Permanent Civil Service

Permanent Civil Service, typically referred to as "PCS", is the most common type of position within the City. PCS employees fit into nearly ever job classification from front-line to leadership. The PCS System is designed to ensure that every individual who is appointed to a PCS position is appointed fairly and based on their merits; this is why the PCS system is sometimes referred to as the "Merit System".

Employees who are hired into Permanent Civil Service positions are granted some additional rights and benefits. These rights help to protect the employees from the political forces that surround government work, and to help ensure that our team can continue to provide citizen services in an unbiased and inclusive way.

The merit process is complex, and can take some time. Individuals in consideration for PCS positions are required to compete in an "Exam" process that will result in an eligible list of candidates ranked in order, based on their results. The exam process may consist of several parts, and candidates may be required to complete a combination of the following components (depending on the position type):

  • Online or in-person standardized tests
  • Personal experience or situation-based essays
  • Interviews
  • Hands-on performance demonstrations

Each of these components is carefully crafted to ensure that the City is able to hire the individual that is the best fit for the job.

Three Public Works Employees

Permanent Exempt

In some circumstances, and for some job classifications, the City is allowed to exempt positions from the merit system. The positions, known as "Exempt Positions," are typically used to supplement the City's workforce in support of a project or initiative. In most cases, appointment to an exempt position is limited to a specific period of time.

The individuals who are appointed to Exempt Positions are appointed at the pleasure of their appointing officer and are considered to be "at-will". This means that exempt employees are not protected by the same grievance and job protection rights as Permanent Civil Service employees.

Temporary Exempt

The difference between a Permanent Exempt (PEX) and a Temporary Exempt (TEX) is a matter of the way the position is budgeted, rather than an indication of a difference in the rules that govern the position.

The individuals who are appointed to Exempt Positions are appointed at the pleasure of their appointing officer and are considered to be "at-will". This means that exempt employees are not protected by the same grievance and job protection rights as Permanent Civil Service employees.

As needed

When a position is "as needed" a department may schedule the employee on a variable basis. These positions may sometimes be referred to as "hourly", and schedules may change week-to-week. As needed employees support many operations throughout City departments.