Columbia Duration ordinance (§ 19-192)

(a) Every person transferred, demoted, promoted, appointed or reappointed to a permanent position with the city shall be required to complete a successful probationary or qualifying period of at least six (6) continuous months duration.

(b) Individuals placed in entry-level police officer, firefighter, or airport safety officer positions are required to complete a successful probationary or qualifying period of at least eighteen (18) continuous months. All other commissioned police and fire positions will serve a twelve-month probationary or qualifying period. Positions identified as ineligible for overtime in the city's pay plan, are required to complete a successful probationary or qualifying period of at least twelve (12) continuous months; other positions shall serve a six-month probationary or qualifying period.

(c) The probationary or qualifying period shall begin immediately upon appointment to a permanent position. The probation or qualifying time period may be extended if deemed necessary by the department head. Such an extension must be processed as a personnel requisition, with review by the

director.

(d) Time spent in an "acting" capacity immediately prior to receiving a permanent appointment to the same classification and department shall be considered as time spent as a probationary or qualifying employee in the position.

(e) An employee who is promoted or transferred prior to completing a probationary period shall begin a new probationary (not qualifying) period in the new position, and shall have no grievance/appeal privileges until a probationary period is successfully completed in one classification. The employee shall, however, be eligible for benefits specified in these policies (or prorated equivalent thereof if in a permanent part-time position).

(f) An employee whose position is reclassified will not be required to complete a new probationary or qualifying period. An employee whose position is reclassified prior to completing a probationary period will not complete a new probationary period, but shall be required to successfully complete the original probationary period.