Columbia Filling of positions ordinance (§ 19-159)

(a) The recruitment and selection process for all classified and unclassified positions in the city service shall be coordinated by the human resources department. Applicants, regardless of protected category will be given equal consideration based on their total qualifications and background. All placement activities will be conducted in accordance with the city's equal employment opportunity affirmative action program. Department heads shall notify the human resources department as far in advance as possible of any requirements for new personnel, setting forth such information as requested by the human resources department. The director will then certify names of those best-qualified individuals to the department head for final selection.

(b) The city manager may authorize the chief of police to fill a budgeted police officer position by contracting with an individual to perform undercover police work.

(1) The hiring practices of this chapter shall not apply in filling a position under this subsection.

(2) The chief of police shall consider the city's affirmative action plan in filling a position under this subsection.

(3) An individual employed under this subsection must meet all qualifications for the position of police officer and must comply with the minimum basic training requirements of this chapter.

(4) Employment contracts under this subsection shall be for an initial term not to exceed two (2) years and may be renewed for no more than one (1) year.

(5) Any individual employed under this subsection who is retained by the city shall be treated as a permanent employee under this chapter. Such an individual's probationary period shall be extended to at least one (1) year after the individual's undercover assignment is completed.