RULE 4. CLASSIFICATION PLAN

Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. II, div. 4

in effect

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-56 Generally.

Sec. 14-56. - Generally. The commission shall, in cooperation with the mayor and council, have a classification plan which shall provide for the use of standard titles for all classes of positions in the classified service and a written job description for each classification which will describe duties and responsibilities and set forth minimum requirements necessary for the successful performance of the task involved in each classification. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-57 Adding or revising classifications.

Sec. 14-57. - Adding or revising classifications. The commission may, at any meeting, add new classifications or revise existing classifications whenever it is deemed advisable, always subject to the approval of the mayor and council. There shall be no new classification proposed for council approval until the proposal, with full details of the duties involved, has been submitted to the commission for its recommendation. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-58 Interpretation of specifications.

Sec. 14-58. - Interpretation of specifications. The specifications of the various positions in the classification plan are hereby declared to have the following force and effect: (1) The use of a particular expression or illustration as to duties, qualifications, or other attributes, shall not be held to exclude others not mentioned, provided such others are similar in kind or quality; nor to limit the power of the supervising authority to alter the detailed tasks involved in the duties of a position. But when a substantial change of duties is made, except for limited, temporary periods, such change shall be reported to the commission with a view to a possible reclassification of the position. (2) In determining where a given position is to be allocated, the specifications shall be considered as a whole. Consideration shall be given to the job purpose, the specific responsibilities, duties, tasks, and qualification requirements, and to the relation of the position to other classifications as all together affording a picture of the kind of employment the classification is intended to embrace. (3) The commission shall prescribe minimum and maximum age requirements of applicants for appointment to particular positions. The minimum age for employment in the classified service of the city shall be 18 years. (4) For all classes, qualifications such as legal authority to work, honesty, and industry shall be deemed to be required even though they may not be specifically mentioned in the definitions of the positions. (5) The statement of necessary special qualifications in the specifications of a position, comprising an enumeration of license, registration, or other legal qualifications required for the performance of the duties of the position, shall constitute a basis and source of authority for acceptance or rejection of applications for examination for the position and also for the evaluation of the qualifications of an applicant. When such qualifications exist in state laws or city ordinances, they shall be required even though they are not specifically stated in the specifications. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-59 Allocation of positions to classes.

Sec. 14-59. - Allocation of positions to classes. The commission shall allocate each position in the classified service to its appropriate class under the classification plan by placing in each class those positions substantially similar in nature, degree of difficulty, responsibility, and character of work which require generally the same kind and amount of training and experience for proper performance and which merit approximately equal pay. In making such allocations, provisions shall be made for the uniform application of the classification plan to positions in the various departments of the city. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-60 Status of incumbents of positions when allocated.

Sec. 14-60. - Status of incumbents of positions when allocated. Should a position in the original allocation process be allocated or reallocated to a different class in order to correct an error in its original allocation, the employee in such position shall be entitled to continue therein, provided he legally occupies that position by regular appointment thereto. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-61 Allocation of new positions and reallocation.

Sec. 14-61. - Allocation of new positions and reallocation. (a) Whenever a new position is created by the mayor and council, the commission shall allocate the position to its proper class in the classification plan, or if no suitable class exists, one shall be established as provided in these rules and the position allocated thereto. (b) Whenever the duties of a position are so changed as to justify its allocation to a different class, the commission shall make that reallocation and shall decide whether the change represents a promotion or a demotion for the incumbent of the position. Should it be a promotion, the incumbent must qualify therefor, provided he has not previously done so. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-62 Protesting allocations.

Sec. 14-62. - Protesting allocations. If an employee believes that his position has been improperly allocated, he may protest by presenting his reasons therefor upon such forms or documents as the director may prescribe. The claim shall be investigated consistent with the rules under a classification challenge under section 14-55.7(3) of this Code. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-63 Use of position titles.

Sec. 14-63. - Use of position titles. The commission-approved title of each position shall be its official title for all purposes having to do with the position as such and shall be used to the exclusion of all other titles on all payrolls, budget estimates, official records and reports and personnel forms. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-64 Effect of classification on payments of salaries.

Sec. 14-64. - Effect of classification on payments of salaries. No employee shall be appointed, employed, or paid under any title other than that of the class to which the position occupied by him is allocated. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-65 Right to make investigations.

Sec. 14-65. - Right to make investigations. The commission shall have the right to initiate and conduct investigations of positions in the classified service at any time and to propose changes in the classifications of positions when the facts warrant such action. The commission, through the director, may secure from the employee or his supervisor a new statement of the duties and responsibilities of the position under consideration. Should a change to the classification be proposed, the employee and/or the department director shall have an opportunity to be heard by the commission before the revised classification shall become effective. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH14CISE_ARTIIRU_DIV4RU4.CLPLFetched: 10/26/2026