Chapter 3.08
HIRING POLICIES
Sections:
3.08.060 United States citizen.
3.08.080 Veterans preference for appointment and employment.
3.08.120 Application for employment.
3.08.010 Merit system.
Hiring, promotion, demotion and other personnel actions affecting employees in the classified service shall be made solely on the basis of merit. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.010)
3.08.020 Promotion.
When well qualified individuals are available, appointments to fill vacancies in the classified service shall be made from within the borough services. (Ord. 20-03 § 1, 2020; Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.020)
3.08.030 No discrimination.
Consistent with AS 18.80.220, there shall be no employment discrimination in the appointment, promotion, demotion, suspension or removal of borough employees. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 09-07 § 1, 2010; Ord. 00-09 § 1, 2000; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.030)
3.08.040 Tests.
Subject to the provisions of this chapter, before appointment to a position, each applicant shall take such tests and examinations of their qualifications as the personnel officer may consider appropriate, or as required by state law. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 09-07 § 1, 2010; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.040)
3.08.050 Minimum age.
Minimum age for borough employment shall be in accordance with state law. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.050)
3.08.060 United States citizen.
The borough may require that a position be filled by a U.S. citizen to comply with a state or federal requirement, or where the personnel officer determines that it is in the borough’s best interest. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.060)
3.08.070 Borough residents.
Other qualifications being equal, preference in employment or promotion shall be given to residents of the borough. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.070)
3.08.080 Veterans preference for appointment and employment.
A. In every department and upon all public works of the borough, veterans shall be preferred for appointment and employment. A person claiming such preference shall be required to show proof of such entitlement.
B. “Veteran” shall include the following:
1. Those persons who have served 181 days or more active service in the armed forces of the United States who have been honorably discharged;
2. Those persons who have served six years in the Alaska Territorial Guard or the Alaska National Guard and have received an honorable discharge; or
3. Those persons who are presently serving in the Alaska National Guard and have been credited with two years of service. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.080)
3.08.090 Inupiaq fluency.
The first language of a majority of residents of the borough is Inupiaq. In order to facilitate communications with its citizens, the borough shall give preference in employment to persons who have such language fluency and may require such language fluency in selected positions. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.090)
3.08.100 Nepotism.
A. Except as provided in this section no persons may be employed in a classified, exempt or partially exempt position supervised by a family member. If an employee is supervised by a family member in the same borough department, they shall elect which employee may continue with the department and which employee shall terminate employment or transfer to another department.
B. Except as provided in this section, no person may be employed in a classified, exempt, or partially exempt position if a family member holds a seat on the borough assembly. However, this limitation shall not apply to any such person who is employed by the borough prior to the election or appointment of a family member to the assembly.
C. “Family member” as used in this section means a supervisor or assembly member who is a spouse, parent, sibling or child in a full, half, step or official state or tribal adoptive relationship to the employee and also includes a supervisor or assembly member who is a brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of the employee.
D. Any of these restrictions may be waived upon review of the personnel officer and approval of the assembly. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 99-09 § 1, 2000; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.100)
3.08.110 Job description.
For each position of borough employment, a job description shall be prepared. Such description shall include a description of the duties to be performed, the qualifications required, the initial rate and pay range for the position, and whether the position is in the classified, exempt or partially exempt service. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.110)
3.08.120 Application for employment.
Each applicant for employment shall complete a written or electronic application which shall be kept on file for a period not to exceed one year. (Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2014; Ord. 91-04 § 2, 1991; Code 1986 § 3.08.120)
3.08.130 Relocation costs.
A. With written preapproval of the mayor and finance director, the borough may reimburse current or prospective employees for qualifying relocation expenses that do not exceed the employee’s actual or reasonably estimated expenses.
B. Current employees may be reimbursed for relocation costs that are related to a permanent change of assigned duties.
C. Grant funding may not be used for relocation expenses unless explicitly authorized in a grant agreement.
D. In no event will the borough reimburse an employee more than $2,500 in relocation expenses for any single relocation.
E. In the event that an employee who has been reimbursed for relocation expenses voluntarily resigns their employment before one year has passed since the employee’s date of hire, the employee must repay the borough for reimbursed relocation expenses. (Ord. 21-06 § 1, 2021; Ord. 17-15 § 1, 2017)