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Valerie T.PoindexterBonnie S.Nims,CGAP <br /> Chair&Presiding Officer ;=4pJN o.y4 9... Legislative Auditor <br /> Council District 1 - : - t;%. <br /> =` J' Business Address <br /> 1266 Kamehameha Avenue <br /> B OF HP Suite A-8 <br /> Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Count of Cin1ixar`C • <br /> OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR ' '` <br /> CD c!) <br /> 25 Aupuni Street Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 * (808)961-8386 *,Fax(808)961-8905 r�t C G <br /> website:http:/,/hawaiicountv.gov e-mail:publiclao@co.hawaii.hi.us "a �= <br /> September 7, 2017 <br /> The Honorable ValerieT. Poindexter, Council Chairperson and <br /> Members of the Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Dear Chair Poindexter and Council Members, <br /> In accordance with Hawai`i County Charter Section 3-18(d)(2), attached is the Office of the <br /> Legislative Auditor's report of our audit of hiring practices at the Department of Human <br /> Resources (DHR). The purpose of this audit was to determine whether hiring practices in place <br /> were effective at ensuring equitable, uniform, and transparent selection of candidates and <br /> ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, County policies and procedures and best <br /> practices. In addition, we identified potential areas for improvement. We reviewed and <br /> evaluated internal controls over hiring practices during calendar year 2016 through January <br /> 2017. We also examined 46 new hire civil service positions in four departments during calendar <br /> year 2016. <br /> According to Hawai'i state law, DHR has the ultimate authority and responsibility of the human <br /> resource function for the County of Hawaii. However, we found numerous questionable hiring <br /> practices including how applicants were identified to be interviewed, how applicants were <br /> assessed, and how departments were using DHR's referred list of eligible applicants. <br /> This situation resulted, in part, from a fear of retaliation including a lack of a safe mechanism for <br /> reporting concerns or complaints. We also found inappropriate involvement by the Staffing <br /> Review Committee (SRC), which was established by the prior Office of the Mayor and DHR in <br /> March 2013. The current Office of the Mayor eliminated the committee in early 2017. This <br /> situation also resulted from: insufficient monitoring by DHR to ensure departmental compliance, <br /> the human resources software (NeoGov) was not fully utilized, extended open recruitment of not <br /> "difficult to fill"positions, and unclear guidance of prohibited personnel practices. <br /> The County of Hawaii Office of the Mayor and DHR should continue to ensure that the hiring <br /> selection rests solely with the appointing authority and prevent preferential treatment of potential <br /> new hire candidates. They should also consider implementing an independent whistleblower ilc-0 <br /> Comm.cm. No. <br /> Ref. <br /> R .n. Date SEP____w...-__M.__._� <br />