Civil Service Commission

About the Commission

The Civil Service Commission is established by Xenia City Charter Article VIII, §8.01 and governed by Article X  - Civil Service and Personnel and Chapter 282 of Title Eight: Boards, Commissions, and Committees, or Part Two, City Government of the Xenia City Code, which was recently updated with passage of Ordinance 2022-21. The Civil Service Commission shall consist of five members, who are residents of the City, who shall be appointed by City Council for staggered terms of five years each. The staff representative is the Administrative Services (HR) Director. The Commission's powers and duties are as follows:

1. Be responsible for the administration of competitive examinations for original appointments and promotions in the classified service of the City. 
2. Have the authority to hear appeals from administrative determinations that result in suspensions, demotions, and removals, made by an appointed official pursuant to any rules, regulations or policies adopted by Council, any administrative rules, regulations, or policies promulgated pursuant to authorization by Council, or as otherwise permitted by the classified employee’s applicable collective bargaining agreement.
3. Perform all duties assigned to it by Article X of this Charter or by the City Council, by ordinance or resolution, related to merit system and personnel management policies for classified employees of the City; and
4. Any other powers or duties assigned to it by City Council, by ordinance, or the laws of the State to the extent that those assigned powers or duties do not conflict with the provisions of the City’s Charter.

Competitive examinations are administered when the current eligibility list has expired or when no valid eligibility list exists for a classified position. When tests are conducted, candidates are required to complete an employment application and applicable forms for each position. Candidates must meet minimum position requirements as established for each job classification. Candidates will then take the scheduled written test. Those candidates who meet the minimum position requirements and receive a passing score on the written test will be ranked in test score order from top to bottom (tie scores are resolved based on date/time of filing of application).

Positions Requiring Additional Information

Some positions (currently the Clerical, Finance Clerk, and Communications Operator positions) require the determination of words/characters per minute (WPM or CPM) speed via a typing/data entry and/or 10-key numeric keypad test prior to the establishment and approval of the eligibility list. Those candidates who achieve a passing score on the written test will be invited to take the typing/data entry and/or keypad test. You will be contacted by the Administrative Services Department to schedule a convenient date and time for your test. Those candidates who do not achieve a passing score on the written test are not eligible to advance to this next step and will not be considered for the eligibility list.

Some positions (currently the Firefighter/Paramedic and Police Officer positions) require Physical Agility testing. Those candidates who meet the minimum position requirements and receive a passing score on the written test may be invited to take a Physical Agility test. Those candidates who do not achieve a passing score on the written test are not eligible to advance to this next step and will not be considered for the eligibility list. The number of candidates invited to take the physical agility test will be determined each year. You will be notified in writing by the Administrative Services Department of the date and time of the test.

Eligibility Tests

Once the required testing is complete for all competitive examinations, an eligibility list will be prepared by the Administrative Services Department for approval by the Civil Service Commission, which means the Commission shall certify the score of all candidates completing the testing/assessment process. This listing shall not be disclosed to the public until the Civil Service Commission has rendered their approval. The Administrative Services Department will mail letters to each applicant noting his/her test score and whether the applicant has been placed on the eligibility list and his/her ranking on said list. A Rule of 10 shall apply for all eligibility lists. The list of 10 shall be considered a "rolling list of 10" in that candidates who become disqualified or hired may be replaced by the next candidate on the list, thereby maintaining 10 viable candidates. Competitive class eligibility lists are in effect and in force for a fixed period of one year. Promotional eligibility lists are in effect and in force for a fixed period of two years.

View the Civil Service Commission’s rules and regulations (PDF).

Current Competitive Examination Application Information

A listing of job opportunities for the City of Xenia can be found through public notice advertisements in local newspapers, on our local government channel, or via the employment listings page. For information on competitive examinations, please contact the Administrative Services Department at (937) 376-7273.

Interested in Serving?
If a vacancy on the Commission is noted above and you are interested in serving, please contact City Clerk Michelle Johnson at (937) 376-7235 or email.