Section 1. Officers: The Civil Service Commission, upon the appointment of a new member or the reappointment of an existing member, at the expiration of a regular term shall proceed to the election of a Chairman and a Vice Chairman (see Article 5, Section 1 of the Charter of the City of Cincinnati, for term of office).
Section 2. Civil Service Secretary: The Director of Personnel functions as the City Personnel Officer and the Civil Service Secretary pursuant to the provision of Article 5, Section 2 of the Charter of the City of Cincinnati, which states:
The City Manager shall appoint the secretary of the Civil Service Commission, who shall act as the personnel officer of the city government and must be a person experienced in personnel work. He shall also act as chief examiner and superintend the examinations subject to the direction of the Commission. He shall appoint all of his subordinates.
The City Manager may designate some other officer of the City, on a temporary basis, to perform the duties of the Civil Service Secretary in case of the absence or disability of the Director of Personnel.
The Civil Service Secretary, subject to the approval of the Commission, shall supervise its office and have charge of the preparation of examination schedules, the holding of examinations, the certification of eligibles, the keeping of records, and the preparation of policies and procedures prescribing the detailed proceedings to be followed in the administration of these rules and in carrying on the routine of business. He shall appoint such subordinates as may be necessary and shall recommend the names of special examiners for appointment by the Commission. He shall maintain official records of the acts of the Commission. He shall have such authority to take action on routine civil service matters as is delegated to him by the Commission and recorded in the minutes of the Commission.
Section 3. Official Signatures: The Chairman of the Commission, or in his absence or incapacity, the Vice Chairman, together with the Secretary, shall sign the minutes of the official acts of the Commission.
Section 4. Powers and Duties of the Commission: The Commission is required to administer and enforce the State Civil Service Laws and its own rules which sustain the State Civil Service Laws. As an administrative body, it is responsible for the legal advertising of all entrance and promotional civil service examinations; the conduct and grading of these examinations, the determination of rules and regulations governing examination conduct and other matters covered in the State Civil Service Laws; the classification of all positions; and the review of such personnel transactions as transfers, reinstatements, provisional, emergency and exceptional appointments for conformity with law.
In addition, it has the appellate function of hearing appeals from certain suspensions, dismissals and demotions.
Whenever the Commission has reason to believe that any officer, Board, Commission, or person concerned with appointments, layoff, suspension, or removal, has abused such power by making or recommending any action in violation of the State Civil Service Laws or these rules, it shall be the duty of the Commission to make an investigation, and if it shall find that such violation of the provisions or intent and the spirit of the law or rules has occurred, it shall make a report thereof to the chief appointing authority involved, who shall have the power to remove forthwith such guilty officer, Board, Commission or person, an opportunity first being given to such officer, Board, Commission or person of being heard publicly in person or by counsel in his own defense.
Section 5. Appearance Before the Commission: Whenever an individual or group has a matter which requires or might require the consideration or decision of the Commission, such individual or group shall first confer with the Secretary, who shall make the necessary arrangements to bring such matters before the Commission in regular session.
