§ 4-06. Personnel system.

A.

There is hereby established a classified personnel system in which all appointments and promotions shall be made on the basis of merit and fitness. The classified service shall include all officers and employees of the parish except the following: members of the council; clerk of the council; the parish president, his secretary and his assistants; the directors of departments; and the personnel officer.

B.

The director of finance shall serve as personnel officer until such time as the president, upon approval of the council, appoints another person to the office. The personnel officer shall:

(1)

Prepare, administer and recommend changes in such personnel rules and regulations governing the classified service as may be necessary or desirable for carrying out provisions of this charter.

(2)

Prepare, install and maintain a uniform classification and pay plan for all positions in the classified service.

(3)

Prepare, install and maintain an employee grievance procedure for dismissals, demotions and other disciplinary matters.

(4)

Perform such other duties and functions as may be directed by the president.

C.

The policies and administration of the classified service, including the classification and pay plans and grievance procedures, of the parish government shall be governed by written rules and regulations to be known as "personnel policies." The personnel officer shall prepare such policies and recommend their adoption to the president. Upon approval by the president, the personnel policies shall be presented to the council for adoption. Such policies shall become effective upon approval by a favorable vote of a majority of the authorized membership of the council. Thereafter, the personnel officer shall recommend additions to, modifications of, or deletions from such policies to the president for presentation to the council in the same manner as for adoption of the original policies. All personnel policies adopted by the council shall be by ordinance.

D.

The personnel policy and rules in effect in the parish at the time this charter becomes effective shall continue in effect until amended by the council or as they may conflict with this charter.

E.

The parish government shall adopt employment practices that will be effective in preventing future discrimination. Decisions on employment will be based on principles of equal employment opportunity. The personnel policy will insure that all personnel actions such as compensation, promotions, benefits, transfers, layoffs, recall from layoffs, education, tuition assistance, and social and recreation programs be administered in a nondiscriminatory manner.

F.

Any person holding a full-time position in the classified service when this charter takes effect, who served in that position at the time the charter was adopted by the electors of the parish, and at least one year prior thereto, shall continue in that position without competitive test or other method approved by the council, but shall be subject in all other respects to this section.