CIVIL SERVICE

Reno City Charter art. IX

in effect

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.010 Civil Service: Objectives.

Sec. 9.010 - Civil Service: Objectives. The purpose of this article is to provide the City with an efficient workforce, with equity to all persons concerned. To attain this objective: 1. All appointments and promotions to positions in the Civil Service must be made on the sole basis of merit and fitness, without regard to non-job-related considerations. 2. Career and promotional opportunities must be readily available to employees. 3. A high level of performance is required of employees to meet their obligations to the City administration, to the users of City services and to the taxpayers. (Ch. 662, Stats. 1971 p. 1982; A—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 882; Ch. 349, Stats. 2013 p. 1833)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.020 Civil Service and exempt positions.

Sec. 9.020 - Civil Service and exempt positions. 1. A Civil Service System is created for the selection, appointment and promotion of all employees of the City except: (a) Any elected official described in section 1.060 or person who is appointed to fill a vacancy pursuant to section 1.070. (b) A person who serves as a member of any board, commission, committee or other body created pursuant to the authority of the City. (c) An appointive officer or appointive employee. (d) A person employed by the City for less than 18 hours per week or 234 hours per fiscal quarter, whichever is greater. (e) A person who is not subject to the provisions of this article pursuant to section 3.020, 3.040 or 3.060. (f) A person for whose position half or more of the money is provided by a source other than the City. (g) An employee of the Municipal Court who is hired directly by the Court. 2. The provisions of this article are not applicable to the selection, appointment, promotion, demotion, transfer, suspension, discipline or dismissal of any person described in subsection 1. 3. Any employee whose position was within the provisions of the Civil Service System before June 2, 2013, shall retain all rights and benefits to which he or she would otherwise be entitled under the Civil Service System. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 884; A—Ch. 561, Stats. 1977 p. 1398; Ch. 349, Stats. 2013 p. 1833; Ch. 163, Stats. 2015 p. 774)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.030 Civil Service Commission: Number, appointment, qualifications, terms, compensation of members.

Sec. 9.030 - Civil Service Commission: Number, appointment, qualifications, terms, compensation of members. 1. A Civil Service Commission is created to carry out the provisions of this article. The Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. 2. Members must: (a) Be residents of the City. (b) Have no other connection with the City government. (c) Hold no elective office. (d) Serve for terms of five years. (e) Receive compensation as provided by City ordinance. 3. One term of office shall begin on the second Monday in July in each successive year. A member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. A vacancy occurring during a term must be filled by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council for the remainder of that term. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 884; A—Ch. 373, Stats. 1979 p. 646; Ch. 89, Stats. 1995 p. 109)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.040 Commission meetings.

Sec. 9.040 - Commission meetings. The Commission shall provide by rule for the holding of not less than one regular meeting per month, for special meetings as needed, for the election of one member as Chair, for the election of one member or appointment of a nonmember as Secretary, for public announcement of the time and place of meetings, and for meetings to be open to the public except as provided for by Commission rule. A special meeting of the Commission may be called by the Chair of the Commission. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 885; A—Ch. 349, Stats. 2013 p. 1833)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.050 Authority of Commission.

Sec. 9.050 - Authority of Commission. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Commission has authority over and is responsible for: 1. All phases of the selection, appointment and promotion of employees in the Civil Service; 2. The appeal rights of such employees in regard to dismissal, demotion, suspension and disciplinary actions; and 3. The transfer of employees, together with all responsibilities assigned to the Commission by this article. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 885; A—Ch. 599, Stats. 1993 p. 2501; Ch. 349, Stats. 2013 p. 1834)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.060 Rules.

Sec. 9.060 - Rules. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Commission shall adopt or amend rules for the Civil Service System, consistent with the provisions of this article. The Commission shall give or cause to be given at least 10 days' notice of the time and place of a public meeting of the Commission on proposed rules by posting the notice and a copy of each proposed rule on the bulletin board of each department and by giving a copy of the notice and each proposed rule to the City Council, the City Manager, each department head, and the president or secretary of each employee organization formally recognized by the City. At the meeting, the Commission shall permit a representative of the City Council or the City Manager, or both, to comment on any proposed rule. Any amendment of the rule governing the number of qualified persons certified to the appointing authority on the Civil Service eligibility list is not effective until the amendment is approved by the City Council. 2. The rules adopted by the Commission must provide for the following matters relating to the Civil Service System: (a) The review and approval by the Commission of minimum qualifications set out in class specifications for positions. (b) Procedures for the review by the Commission of the allocation or reallocation of an employee's position pursuant to subsection 4 of section 9.180. (c) Open and promotional recruitment of employees. (d) The development and scoring of examinations of candidates for positions. (e) The development, maintenance and certification of Civil Service eligibility lists, which must include criteria for the use of selective certification as applicable to a position. (f) Procedures for emergency, temporary, provisional and such other types of appointments as the Commission deems desirable to facilitate the business of the City. (g) The establishment of probationary periods, procedures for the confirmation of employees into the Civil Service System after completion of any applicable probationary period, and procedures for the dismissal of probationary employees, including, without limitation, the identification of circumstances in which a probationary employee, including, without limitation, a promoted employee, may not be dismissed by the head of a department without right of appeal. (h) Procedures for the promotion of employees and any right of promoted employees to return to their previous positions. (i) Procedures for the transfer and layoff of employees. (j) Procedures for investigating and hearing appeals relating to the discipline or discharge of employees or alleged violations of the rules of the Commission. 3. A copy of all rules adopted and all changes in them must be filed in the Office of the City Clerk. The Commission shall cause the rules and all changes in them to be distributed as it deems necessary, except that the Commission shall cause a copy to be made available to all officers and employees of the City on the City's Internet website or in such other format as the Commission determines is appropriate. 4. The head of each department may adopt procedures for the governance of his or her department not inconsistent with this article or the rules of the Commission adopted thereunder. 5. As used in this section, "selective certification" means the certification of a person for inclusion on a Civil Service eligibility list for a position based upon specialized knowledge, skills or abilities of the person, in addition to those required to meet the minimum qualifications for the position, that are required to perform the duties of the position successfully. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 885; A—Ch. 349, Stats. 2013 p. 1834; Ch. 163, Stats. 2015 p. 774)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.070 Chief Examiner.

Sec. 9.070 - Chief Examiner. The Commission shall appoint a Chief Examiner who shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission. The Chief Examiner shall administer the provisions of this article in regard to the selection, appointment and promotion of employees in the Civil Service, under the direction of the Commission and within restrictions established by the Commission. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 885)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.080 Leaves of absence without pay.

Sec. 9.080 - Leaves of absence without pay. The City Manager may promulgate rules governing leaves of absence without pay, subject to the approval of the Commission after public hearing. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 885)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.100 Reports of employee performance.

Sec. 9.100 - Reports of employee performance. The Commission shall have authority to require from time to time reports on the performance and efficiency of employees. Each employee shall be entitled to see all such reports concerning him or her. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 885; A—Ch. 163, Stats. 2015 p. 775)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.110 Agreements.

Sec. 9.110 - Agreements. The Commission shall have authority to make agreements to enter into cooperative arrangements with or to obtain assistance from other agencies or persons for the purpose of improving the efficiency or quality of the services it provides. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 885)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.120 Blanketing into Civil Service.

Sec. 9.120 - Blanketing into Civil Service. When positions which have not been within the Civil Service are declared by law to be included in the Civil Service, the Commission may by rule: 1. Authorize the noncompetitive appointment to such positions of employees who have held those positions satisfactorily for a period of 1 year. Other employees in such positions may be given temporary or provisional appointments as ordered by the Commission. 2. Waive any requirement that an employee complete a probationary period in the position after the position is included in the Civil Service. 3. Accept prior service acquired in the position before the position was included in the Civil Service as the equivalent of classified service. 4. Provide for other such matters as the Commission deems necessary or appropriate to facilitate the inclusion of a position in the Civil Service. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 885; A—Ch. 163, Stats. 2015 p. 776)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.130 Return to Civil Service.

Sec. 9.130 - Return to Civil Service. An employee with confirmed Civil Service rating who is appointed to an exempt position shall not lose his or her Civil Service rating while serving in that exempt position. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 886)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.140 Layoff.

Sec. 9.140 - Layoff. Whenever in the judgment of the City Council it becomes necessary to reduce the staff of any City department such reduction of staff shall be accomplished pursuant to rules adopted by the Commission designed to encourage interdepartmental transfers and other procedures tending to minimize the impact of layoffs. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 886)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.150 Support.

Sec. 9.150 - Support. The City Council shall provide such employees, facilities and funds necessary or proper for the purpose of enabling the Commission to accomplish its functions and purposes set forth in this article. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 886)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.160 Prohibited acts.

Sec. 9.160 - Prohibited acts. 1. No appointment to or removal from a position in the Civil Service may be affected in any manner by any person's: (a) Race, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, religion, religious beliefs or affiliations, or any other characteristic for which such action is prohibited by the law of the State or of the United States, except when based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or otherwise authorized by law. (b) Political beliefs or affiliations except if that person advocates or is a member of any organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States by other than lawful means. 2. A person shall not practice any deception, fraud or unfair practice with respect to application, examination, employment or any other procedure authorized under this article or Commission rule, or in any information given to the Commission. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 886; A—Ch. 349, Stats. 2013 p. 1835)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.170 Penalties.

Sec. 9.170 - Penalties. Any employee who is found by the Commission to have violated any of the provisions of this article or of a Commission rule may be dismissed, demoted, suspended or disciplined by the Commission, pursuant to Commission rules. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 886)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.180 Classification plan: Preparation; requirements; review of classification.

Sec. 9.180 - Classification plan: Preparation; requirements; review of classification. 1. The City Manager or his or her designee shall: (a) Prepare, maintain and, as necessary, revise a classification plan for all positions in the Civil Service. (b) Allocate each position in the Civil Service to a class set forth in the classification plan. 2. Each class of employees that is set forth in the classification plan must include, without limitation, a title, a definition or statement of the characteristics of the class, a list of typical tasks or examples of the duties of the class, a list of the knowledge, skills and abilities required for employees in the class, a statement that describes the minimum qualifications of employees in the class and any other information that the City Manager determines is necessary for the proper classification and supervision of positions in the Civil Service. The minimum qualifications shall be subject to review and approval by the Commission as part of its responsibility for recruiting and selecting employees. 3. The City Manager shall allocate positions into each class by grouping positions that have similar qualifications and levels of difficulty and responsibility such that the similarities justify similar treatment. 4. Any employee in the Civil Service who is adversely affected by the allocation or reallocation of his or her position to a class pursuant to subsection 1 may request to have the classification reviewed by the Commission. A request for such a review must be submitted to the Commission not more than 30 calendar days after the employee receives notification of the allocation or reallocation of the employee's position by the City Manager. 5. In reviewing the allocation or reallocation of an employee's position pursuant to subsection 4, the Commission shall make findings as to the duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the position. If the Commission finds that a position is not classified correctly, the Commission shall notify the City Council and City Manager of its findings. Upon receiving such notification, the City Council shall review the findings of the Commission and, if approved by the City Council, the City Manager shall allocate or reallocate the position to a class pursuant to the findings of the Commission. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 886; A—Ch. 163, Stats. 2015 p. 776)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.230 Assistance in examinations.

Sec. 9.230 - Assistance in examinations. It shall be the duty of all departments, officers and employees of the City to assist the Commission in the development and administration of examinations as requested by the Commission. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 887)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.260 Duties and authority of City Manager.

Sec. 9.260 - Duties and authority of City Manager. 1. All employees in the Civil Service, other than those employed by the Commission, shall hold their positions at the pleasure of the City Manager and shall perform their assigned duties under his or her direction, subject to the provisions of this article. No employee in the Civil Service shall be suspended, demoted, dismissed or disciplined except as provided in this article. 2. The City Manager or his or her delegate may bring disciplinary action against any employee in the Civil Service who: (a) Is unable to or fails for any reason to perform his or her duties properly and efficiently. (b) Is guilty of any actions which reduce his or her effectiveness as an employee or bring discredit on the City service. (c) Has violated any provision of this article or of Commission rules. 3. The City Manager shall immediately report any suspension of more than 3 days or any action of demotion or termination to the Secretary of the Commission and at the same time deliver to the Secretary and to the affected employee copies of a complaint setting forth the action taken and the reasons for that action, with the name of the original complainant if other than the City Manager. 4. Whenever a written complaint against any employee in the Civil Service is made to the City Manager he or she shall immediately communicate it to the Secretary of the Commission. 5. The City Manager or his or her delegate have the authority to adjust an employee's salary within the salary range for the class on the basis of quality and quantity of the employee's work. The Commission shall by rule provide for appeals from such adjustment on a showing that it was made principally for disciplinary purposes. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 888; A—Ch. 373, Stats. 1979 p. 646)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.270 Appeals to the Commission.

Sec. 9.270 - Appeals to the Commission. 1. An employee in the Civil Service who has been suspended for a period of more than 3 days or who is the subject of an action by the City Manager to demote or terminate him or her may appeal such action to the Commission by serving the Secretary of the Commission with a written notice of appeal within 10 days after such action. The Commission shall set the time for hearing the appeal not less than 5 nor more than 15 days after the date of service of the notice of appeal. 2. The Commission shall adopt a rule for hearing such appeals and making any investigations it deems appropriate. The City Attorney or, if applicable, special counsel retained pursuant to section 3.070 shall represent the interest of the City in appeals to the Commission. 3. In connection with any hearing or investigation contemplated by this article each member of the Commission may administer oaths, secure by subpoena the attendance of witnesses residing within 50 miles of the City and the production of books and papers relevant to the hearing or investigation, compel witnesses to answer and punish for contempt in the same manner as provided by law for the governing of trials before justices of the peace for failure to answer or produce books and other evidence necessary for the hearing. All witnesses must be under oath. The accused has the right to be heard in person and by attorney in his or her own defense and is entitled to secure the attendance of witnesses at the expense of the City if within the reach of the Commission's subpoena and necessary for his or her defense. Upon a showing of necessity an accused may secure from the Commission an order requiring the taking of depositions of witnesses who are necessary to his or her defense and not within the reach of a subpoena. The Commission shall determine to what extent the expense of such depositions will be paid for by the City. Hearings on appeal must be reported and may be transcribed if a transcript is necessary for a deliberation of the Commission or for an appeal to the district court. The Commission shall render its decision within 7 days after the date of the hearing. 4. The action taken by the City Manager may be affirmed, modified or revoked by the Commission. If the Commission finds that the reason for which the action was taken is insufficient or conflicts with the provisions of this Charter, the Civil Service rules and regulations, or any applicable law, it must modify or revoke the action. 5. The Commission shall adopt a rule for the hearing and disposition of appeals concerning procedures or the content of examinations. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 889; A—Ch. 373, Stats. 1979 p. 647; Ch. 65, Stats. 1981 p. 162; Ch. 349, Stats. 2013 p. 1836; Ch. 163, Stats. 2015 p. 777)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.280 Disciplinary authority of Commission; judicial review.

Sec. 9.280 - Disciplinary authority of Commission; judicial review. 1. Verified charges may be filed with the Commission setting forth cause for disciplinary action against any Civil Service employee by any resident of the City. The Commission may conduct investigations and hold such hearings as it deems appropriate to determine the facts. If the Commission finds the charges true it may order the suspension, dismissal or discipline of the employee. 2. The Commission on its own initiative may conduct investigations and hearings with respect to violations of this article or rules of the Commission and impose such sanctions as it deems appropriate. 3. Within 180 days after service of the decision, any person who is aggrieved by a final decision of the Commission may petition the district court in the County for relief in the form of a writ of certiorari, mandamus or prohibition where such relief is otherwise authorized by chapter 34 of NRS or other applicable law. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 889; A—Ch. 97, Stats. 1995 p. 115; Ch. 349, Stats. 2013 p. 1837)

Reno City Charter, art. IX, § 9.290 Salary of suspended, demoted or disciplined employee.

Sec. 9.290 - Salary of suspended, demoted or disciplined employee. No employee shall be deprived of any salary or wages for the period of time he or she may be suspended, demoted or dismissed pending a hearing and decision unless such disciplinary action or removal shall be sustained by the Commission. (Added—Ch. 553, Stats. 1973 p. 890)

Source: City of Reno, Nevada, Administrative Code, City Charter and Annexation and Land Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nv/reno/codes/administrative_code?nodeId=PT1RECH_ARTIXCISEFetched: 11/1/2026