The City of Denton is actively seeking applications to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Civil Service Commission, with the current term set to expire in August 2024. The commission plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code, which governs police and fire departments.
Purpose and Role of the Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission is responsible for several key functions, including:
- Approving position announcements for entry and promotional exams, and the material from which promotional candidates will be tested.
- Conducting fair and impartial appeal hearings on test questions for promotional exams and making decisions based on the evidence presented.
- Approving eligibility lists for entry-level and promotional exams, determining the order in which candidates will be considered for further testing.
- Reviewing promotional bypass reasons, if requested by the employee, and deciding whether to sustain or overrule them.
- Hearing suspension appeals, with the authority to uphold, reverse, or reduce the length of the suspension, and potentially reinstating a suspended employee if a procedural defect is found.
- Approving or denying demotions requested by the department head.
Appointment and Membership
Commission members are appointed by the City Manager and confirmed by the City Council. They serve staggered three-year terms, with the term of one commissioner expiring each year. The commission is comprised of three members who form the Civil Service Commission.
To be eligible for appointment, a person must:
- Be of good moral character.
- Be a United States citizen.
- Have resided in the municipality for more than three years.
- Be over 25 years of age.
- Not have held a public office within the preceding three years.
Meetings
The Civil Service Commission typically meets once a month, currently on the fourth Wednesday. Meeting times vary depending on the agenda, with most meetings lasting less than one hour unless there are appeals of promotional test questions, which can extend meetings to two or three hours.
Application Process
Eligible Denton residents interested in serving on the commission are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and resume, including a statement of why they wish to serve and confirmation that they meet the eligibility requirements. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 22. Letters of interest and resumes should be sent to Megan Gilbreath, the Civil Service Director, via email at Megan.Gilbreath@cityofdenton.com.
Detailed information about the responsibilities and eligibility criteria for the Civil Service Commission can be found on the city’s official website.
