2026-03-20 Merit Appeals Board Minutes

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Merit Appeals Board March 20, 2026 purposes. So, we have, say, “Civil Engineer V”—we can’t fill it at the five level, so we would re-allocate it down, all the way—say, to the “I” level, and then recruit for that position at multiple levels. So, if we’re able to find, say a civil engineer that qualifies at level “III”—they would be hired into that position—and with time and experience and completing—being able to meet the minimum requirements—that position would then be re-allocated back up to the permanent class over time. So, this demonstrates, from an HR perspective, all the different ways that we’re looking at positions, looking at options, and working with departments to address filling the vacancies—and then, also making sure that when we’re recruiting for positions, that the position description is accurate and that the class specification accurately reflects the work that’s being done—and then the minimum qualifications. Part of the big amendment to the class specifications last year was the removal of the— on specific degree disciplines for bachelor’s degrees. If there was no statutory or regulatory requirement to have a degree in a certain discipline—we removed that to broaden the applicant pool, so that any bachelor’s degree will qualify for that educational requirement. MS. BOND: Yeah, no—it’s just that so true that the qualifications change and position reviews really become a thing. It’s funny what you said about the language changing. I was talking to somebody yesterday who was a CNA, and they used to call them “patients”—and now they’re called, “participants” and you’re not allowed to call them “patients” anymore. I mean, and it’s like what an interesting that all of a sudden it’s not (inaudible) to be a patient—you have to be a participant in their program, and I just was—I, kind of, laughed when she said that—and then I went, “God, the world is just changing”—and every little thing becomes a thing—becomes a bigger thing because you didn’t learn that they’re now called “participants” and not “patients” or— MS. TOKIHIRO: And even things like having to have a certificate of typing proficiency or being able to type so many words a minute or—so some of those things have just changed over time, too, right, so— MS. BOND: Yeah. MS. TOKIHIRO: So, something we need to be looking at regularly. MS. BOND: (Inaudible.) MR. AGUINALDO: Sommer, I have a question. As far as, like, positioning in the County, like you just said, like, 800 positions or— Page 11