A. Whenever a position in the classified service becomes vacant, the appointing authority, if it desires to fill the vacancy, shall make requisition upon the commission for the names and addresses of the persons eligible for appointment thereto.

B. If an eligible list exists for the class of such position which contains the names of at least five eligibles who are willing to accept employment, the commission shall forthwith certify the names of the top five persons eligible for appointment to the appointing authority, and the appointing authority shall appoint one person so certified to the position; provided, that they are in fact found to be qualified for the position by the appointing authority.

C. If there is no eligible list for the class, the commission shall either establish such a list as provided in this chapter or otherwise determine what list shall be deemed appropriate for such class. The commission shall then certify the names of the five persons standing highest on the list and the appointing authority shall appoint one person so certified to the position, providing that they are found in fact to be qualified for the position by the appointing authority.

D. If there is an eligible list for the class which contains the names of less than five eligibles, the appointing authority may, upon being notified of such fact, elect to fill the vacancy by temporary appointment until the eligible list contains the names of at least five eligibles, or may, in the alternative, request that the commission certify the names of those remaining on the list for appointment.

E. If, upon the conduct of any background or other investigation by the appointing authority the appointing authority determines that the name of any person should be removed from the eligible list, the commission shall remove the name forthwith. If any name is so removed or if any person certified by the commission requests not to be considered for appointment, the commission shall certify the next highest person on the eligible list to replace those removed.

F. To enable the appointing authority to exercise a choice in the filling of positions, no appointment, employment or promotion in any position in the classified service shall be deemed complete until after the expiration of a period of one year of probationary service, during which the appointing authority may terminate the employment of the person appointed by him or her, if, during the performance test thus afforded, upon observation or consideration of the performance of duty, the appointing authority deems such person unfit or unsatisfactory for service in the department. Upon such termination of employment, the appointing authority shall request the commission to certify the next three persons highest on any eligibility list for the position and the appointing authority shall appoint one person so certified to the vacant position; provided, that the appointing authority finds such person to in fact be qualified for the position. Upon such appointment, the person appointed shall likewise enter upon the duties of the position for a period of one year’s probationary service in the same manner as the original appointment. This process shall be repeated until some person is found who is deemed fit for appointment, employment or promotion for the probationary period provided therefor, whereupon the appointment, employment or promotion shall be deemed to be complete.

G. The appointing authority may, in its discretion, extend probation for any appointee up to an additional six months after expiration of the original one year probationary period. (Ord. 741 § 2, 1996; Ord. 510 § 2, 1987).