2006-09-21 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Mr. Joseph asked how long Civil Service's orientation took, and Mr. Ben said four hours. Mr. Joseph asked when the orientation was held and whether new employees are required to attend. Mr. Takahashi said that currently it held once a month, on the last Wednesday of each month, during work hours. It is scheduled in Hilo and Kona on alternating months. Employees are required to attend, and departments are informed that employees must attend the orientation within 90 days of hire. Mr. Joseph asked, since they had restarted the program three months ago, how long the lapse was prior to those three months, and Mr. Ben said it had been years, from 1992 to three months ago. Mr. Ben said that for ten of those years, they were not allowed to have a training officer and were not authorized to fill the position. Departments were told they could set up their own orientation. Mr. Takahashi said that although there was a 13 -year gap without a trainer, he would do the training himself when a department indicated a need. Though the program was not structured at that time, he would do it every so often and fit it in when there was a need. In addition, he performed the training for every police and fire recruit class. Other departments would call him if they needed training done. He said that although they did not have a structured program during that time, training was still done, and they intend to keep it going every month now, even though the employee assigned to this is on extended leave. Mr. Joseph asked whether it was written somewhere that all County employees need to go through orientation, or whether it was a policy; and Mr. Takahashi said it is a Civil Service policy. Mr. Ben said that they sent out a memo or circular to the effect that there is a program, that it is held once a month, and employees are required to attend within 90 days of hire. Mr. Sakaguchi said this could be made a recommendation. Mr. Takahashi said there is also a checklist for departments to follow with new employees. The list includes the various issues which need to be discussed with each employee, including going over again the issues covered in the general orientation. Mr. Ben said he wanted to mention that at one point, previous to the trainer they have now, they had a trainer who worked with them for three to four years. She worked on a leadership course that all fire fighter supervisors went through. It was one day per week for six weeks and covered various supervisory aspects and duties. His Department is trying to develop this class again. They did not have property rights to the course given by the previous trainer. Ms. Provalenko asked whether they received feedback from the departments about the course and how many attended. Mr. Ben said the feedback was always positive, and he could get the attendance if needed. M