Rule 2: Definitions
2.01 APPEAL
APPEAL means a request in writing by an employee of the Sheriff’s Department addressed to and filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time provided by these rules, seeking an investigation, review, or hearing of facts therein represented to constitute a deprivation or impairment of rights vested in such employee as a member of the classified service.
2.02 CIVIL SERVICE STAFF
CIVIL SERVICE STAFF means the employee in the office of the Civil Service Commission.
2.03 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION means the title of an individual position in the classified service and also the process by which the proper title and pay level for each position are determined.
2.04 CLASSIFICATION LIST
CLASSIFICATION LIST means an orderly arrangement and description of types of positions by separate and distinct classes, each class recognized on the basis of similar duties and responsibilities in the classified service.
2.05 CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE means an employee occupying a position in the classified service.
2.06 CLASSIFIED SERVICE
CLASSIFIED SERVICE means all positions in the Sheriff’s Department except those specifically placed in the unclassified service by law.
2.07 COMMISSION
COMMISSION means the Sheriff’s Department Civil Service Commission.
2.08 COMMISSIONER
COMMISSIONER means a member of the Sheriff’s Department Civil Service Commission.
2.09 COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION means the salary, wages, fees, allowances, and all other forms of valuable consideration earned by or paid to any employee by reason of service in any position, but does not include allowances or expenses authorized and incurred as incidents to employment.
2.10 COMPENSATION PLAN
COMPENSATION PLAN means a schedule of salaries and wages established by County Commissioners Court for the several classes of positions included in the classified plan.
2.11 COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION means an examination in which the candidates are in competition and from which the eligibility list is promulgated.
2.12 DEMOTION
DEMOTION means the transfer of an employee from a position in one class to a position of lower classification or salary range, or a reduction in pay without such transfer unless such reduction is part of a general plan to reduce salaries for that class of position.
2.13 DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR when used alone, means the Director of the Sheriff’s Department Civil Service Commission.
2.14 DISCIPLINARY PROBATION
DISCIPLINARY PROBATION means a probationary period to accompany certain disciplinary actions taken by the Department.
2.15 DISMISSAL
DISMISSAL means the act of dispensing with or terminating the services of an employee.
2.16 DISMISSED
DISMISSED discharged, removed means the separation of an employee from his position for cause.
2.17 ELIGIBLE
ELIGIBLE designates the status of a person whose name has been placed on an employment, reemployment or promotional list for a given class.
2.18 ELIGIBILITY LIST
ELIGIBILITY LIST means any of the lists of names of persons who have been found qualified through suitable tests for promotion to positions in the classified service, or who have been approved for interbureau transfer, and includes lists and transfers list.
2.19 EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYEE means a person legally occupying a position in the Sheriff’s Department.
2.20 EMPLOYEE LIST
EMPLOYEE LIST means a list of names of persons arranged in order of acceptance by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department as provided by these rules, who have met all minimum basic requirements for employment, and who are entitled to have their names certified by authorities for original appointment under these rules.
2.21 EXAMINATION
EXAMINATION means all tests of fitness, taken together, that are applied to determine fitness of applicants for positions of any class in the classified service.
2.22 HEARING OR PUBLIC HEARING
HEARING OR PUBLIC HEARING means a session of the Commission held for the purpose of receiving evidence and reaching a decision with respect to matters or issues appropriately submitted to it for determination.
2.23 PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE RATING
PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE RATING means the evaluation by an employee’s supervisor of the manner in which said employee’s service was rendered.
2.24 POSITION
POSITION means a group of current duties and responsibilities, assigned or delegated by competent authority, requiring the full-time employment of one person. A position may be occupied or it may be vacant.
2.25 PROBATIONARY PERIOD
PROBATIONARY PERIOD means length of time during which an employee is on trial (working test period) and is expected to prove his complete fitness for his position; an employee may be in a probationary period after his original appointment, after transfer, after promotion, and/or for disciplinary reasons.
2.26 PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION
PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION means all tests of fitness for determining the eligibility of applicants for promotion.
2.27 PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEE
PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEE means an employee who has not completed a period of probation after appointment in a classified position.
2.28 PROMOTIONAL LIST
PROMOTIONAL LIST means a list of names of persons arranged in order of merit as provided by these rules, who have been found qualified for promotion to a higher position.
2.29 REINSTATEMENT LIST
REINSTATEMENT LIST means a list of names of persons arranged in order of merit as provided by these rules, who have occupied positions in the classified service, who have separated from the classified service or were demoted and who are entitled to have their names certified to the appointing authorities under the provisions of these rules.
2.30 RULE
RULE means a rule or regulation officially adopted by the Sheriff’s Department Civil Service Commission.
2.31 SCORE
SCORE means grade attained by a person for promotion in the Sheriff’s Department.
2.32 SENIORITY
SENIORITY means years, months, and days gained by an employee through length of service within a given classification, organizational unit, or total service with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department.
2.33 SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION means the period of time during which an employee, through disciplinary action of a superior, is forbidden to work and may or may not be denied salary.