Employee Handbook

Section 1 — Introduction

The employees identified in this section must successfully complete an Introductory (Probationary) Period. During the Introductory Period, a supervisor observes an employee’s work and evaluates an employee’s ability to successfully perform the assigned job. In addition, regular meetings may be held to discuss an employee’s progress and areas that may need improvement, and to document an employee’s overall performance.

Successful completion of the Introductory Period shall not change an employee's status as an employee-at-will or in any way restrict the City's right to terminate an employee or change an employee's terms or conditions of employment.

Civil Service Employees

1. All civil service employees, except for police officers, dispatchers and firefighters, are subject to a six-month Introductory Period.

2. Firefighters and dispatchers are subject to a 12-month Introductory Period.

3. The Introductory Period for police officers is based on each officer's Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) certification status that is in effect at the time of each officer’s hire date, as follows:

1. A police officer who has successfully completed training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy or another training facility certified by Iowa Law Enforcement Academy before his or her hire date shall be subject to a nine-month Introductory Period, commencing on his or her hire date

2. A police officer who has NOT successfully completed training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy or another training facility certified by Iowa Law Enforcement Academy before his or her hire date shall be subject to an introductory period that will commence on the date of hire and continue for a period of nine months after successful completion of the aforementioned training requirements.

Introductory civil service employees may be terminated, without the right to appeal to the Civil Service Commission.

Non-Civil Service Employees

1. All regular full-time and part-time non-civil service employees are subject to a six-month Introductory Period.

2. Due to the nature of the positions and scope of responsibilities, all temporary and intermittent employees, as well as paid-on-call volunteer firefighters and reserve police officers, will be evaluated on an on-going basis and will not be subjected to the Introductory Period.

Promotions

A regular employee who vacated a position to accept a Promotion and who finds that the position is not suited to his or her qualifications or interests, may be reinstated to the former position with the recommendation of the Department Director and approval of the City Manager or Library Board if said position is still vacant. The City is under no obligation to honor the request of the employee.

See also Section 1.3, Employment-at-Will.