[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6199563,"mediaKeyId","3825315-0e7dd23fc0703c301489516fd4872c37","parentId",3825315,"title","HR update: two summer interns, new certification and 'Days of Service' approved; board told executive secretary finalist will be recommended in July","audioSeconds",451,"startMs",1090000,"endMs",1541000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3825315-0e7dd23fc0703c301489516fd4872c37&start=1090&end=1541","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3825315-0e7dd23fc0703c301489516fd4872c37/thumbnail_1090000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199563/Tennessee/HR-update-two-summer-interns-new-certification-and-Days-of-Service-approved-board-told-executive-secretary-finalist-will-be-recommended-in-July","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199563-dba873c2c01dc314a091c3c5cf47bd27/orig.mp4?Expires=1776232259&Signature=BDzyoCBkz1uAGbmUmUlOCYM1-L8Q28w2~j2M1f0ipGpVjgajseNyKz-hHyzbMhwX09t-69H7NpwF2dWaeupxwrU90wufs9kuSxgbMHVMX5NIrKRyujWNrxK2~yZ0e7gtlnScRmOyt46bfQ7STI4ITQWULqRJc5OSLqOlFmpjCsHGvCWgiZAzAsoSRqeglPvv8r~DlxLfMROh55oJCHEJQdWBzQwg6omwCYLxAfFZkE2tG~okbFiSomSiIzBB1FC~DaiaRuk6VCk7zEEIhjEeP1VCTIVVKzRkAUiYzAeCJkxI6qB06lBworrk6VO0fEIPVM9NktM1UqngW~EUvPAaPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Knoxville, TN","date","2025-06-13T13:32:53Z","article","HR and employee‑selection committee members briefed the Civil Service Merit Board on staffing support, training credentials and an employee volunteer program, and said the board should expect a recommendation on the executive secretary final candidate at the July meeting.

The update matters because it covers workforce capacity, compensation expertise and an employee volunteer program the city plans to launch; the executive secretary selection affects a senior Civil Service leadership role.

An HR speaker introduced two summer interns, Katie Padilla (UT Baker Center School) and Erin Norris (from Sanford, Ala.). The speaker also reported that Christy Tunzel, a long‑time HR staffer, completed a national “World of Work” certification in compensation; the speaker said Tunzel is currently the only city employee with that certification and another staffer is finishing hers.

HR said June is the busiest month for personnel actions tied to budget year turnover, with classification updates and reallocations requiring system entries for salary changes to take effect by June 30; the department said most new hires are anticipated to start in early July.

HR also said the council approved a Days of Service project that will allow each full‑time employee to donate either four or eight hours to volunteer at a nonprofit located within city limits; the program is expected to begin late summer or early fall and will be implemented in partnership with United Way.

On the executive secretary selection, a committee member told the board the committee is finalizing recommendations and expects to present finalist(s) on the July agenda for a board vote. The speaker thanked staff and named internal contributors who supported interviews and coordination. No vote on the selection occurred at the June meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Merit Board R 4206 250611","oneSentenceSummary","HR reported two interns joining for the summer, celebrated an employee earning a national compensation certification, described a new Days of Service program for full‑time employees and said the committee will present executive secretary finalist(s) for a July vote.","taxTitle","Civil Service Merit Board Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee","taxId",69354,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6199566,"Board approves temporary civil‑service exemptions for two KPD positions and a KFD part‑time assistant",78,1273000,1351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3825315-0e7dd23fc0703c301489516fd4872c37&start=1273&end=1351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3825315-0e7dd23fc0703c301489516fd4872c37/thumbnail_1273000.jpg","/articles/6199566/Tennessee/Board-approves-temporary-civilservice-exemptions-for-two-KPD-positions-and-a-KFD-parttime-assistant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199566-11e35f4f8df430427d7da4a6d024d684/orig.mp4?Expires=1776232259&Signature=Zb2f~yDuzBXrZm35T2kG9UjxR3Ay3FXNsVQO3uI0iae9sMQ9I2bt9b5muIw4nfNaRmxmCpkj-M7RXugo2pNAQrNJQqYOhAcgd-Sh3izPRnlbVSsjFmL031C~mgRDCegKmag6nxSpUbMG-Ra-hLWaOv3EvsMzdzxdDnWdJvB0xHC4yr47S2jwxOyGnXWIBljhrNB~-XUbicKQTNFWrRnttWhAFuE8jRr8DXO4FUCvNHNxWdo8r0uuLxs5-Y0lPWCJRRZ-~ZPN8ikVtNlfqdZEhDnU0IeTmfwJbo5Czme2dSFoeXV1SDFll78ohc7VIr8Nfp97KBjcBCooRV9L28OHiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Civil Service Merit Board voted Wednesday to approve three temporary exemptions from civil‑service hiring rules: two requested by KPD and one requested by the Fire Department.

The votes matter because exemptions allow departments to fill time‑limited or grant‑funded roles outside the usual civil‑service competitive hiring process.

The first motion approved KPD’s request to exempt a firearms examiner trainee position through Sept. 30, 2027. Staff said the earlier VCIF grant that had funded two similar positions ends June 30, and a new CJ grant will pick up funding starting July 1 and run through September 2027, so the department asked to continue the exemption under the new grant.

The board then approved a second KPD exemption described on the agenda as a “NIVIM” technician. A staff member indicated that designation relates to ballistics; the agenda language did not spell out the acronym. The board approved that request without objection.

A third request from the Fire Department sought authority to hire a temporary, part‑time executive assistant for up to one year from the date of hire to provide training and fill in as needed; staff and the chief said pension and hiring nuances were being addressed. The board approved that request as well.

Each item was approved by voice vote; the clerk recorded “ayes” and no opposition was stated on the record. No motions’ maker or seconder names were given in the public discussion. All approvals were procedural in nature; the board did not adopt new policy or change civil‑service rules.","The Civil Service Merit Board approved three exemption requests: two from KPD (a firearms examiner trainee covered by a CJ grant through Sept. 2027 and a second 'NIVIM' technician related to ballistics) and a part‑time executive assistant for the Fire Department for one year from hire.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6199570,"Civil Service staff says budget near year‑end; funds rebalanced to cover higher litigation costs",158,344000,502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3825315-0e7dd23fc0703c301489516fd4872c37&start=344&end=502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3825315-0e7dd23fc0703c301489516fd4872c37/thumbnail_344000.jpg","/articles/6199570/Tennessee/Civil-Service-staff-says-budget-near-yearend-funds-rebalanced-to-cover-higher-litigation-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199570-03fda9ab930275719ca767afb05c0f93/orig.mp4?Expires=1776232259&Signature=esqBSnQxUCxHXvB7ZPeVx1X8NTFfisQhh9Xv7urtEjSSk432s78JR7JZmwBKTUKnJJhm90dbvubkTdpYFKDeKCQSOced55VtVyTQkjUBXb7PJtaVRvyehjB65zCiH53WOcXmsRymt7RMoup8CumnwuBjeZcvk~p0a72rknBX4PQv0DMKliomas8CY3pyUCq15nfoASttOmLAE-gBJVI-pPY1gKHsCdhDOaGNU7OUi3RnRKtkaZQGhW6gMGnLqDzs8wLM6ZUmvtY7XZMwBDjsT4o3I16f1JdoaEu0NOkJpaU3lnxXEySj9WKVIfLk~KaLckY6A1TvehQSwaHpCLkb~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff reported the Civil Service operating budget is nearing year end with overall utilization around 84% and described internal rebalancing of funds to cover outside counsel and litigation expenses.

The update matters because rebalancing affects which internal line items can be used to pay legal bills and other end‑of‑year needs without requesting additional appropriation.

Bradshaw, a Civil Service staff member, said personnel costs are under budget partly because a position has been vacant since January and noted office supply and service lines have small remaining amounts. He drew attention to outside legal counsel and litigation expense lines, saying finance moved funds between accounts to pay attorneys and hearing officers.

When a board member asked, “Can you explain what that means?” Bradshaw said the finance department sometimes moves funds from one account to another when bills arrive, and that recent hearing activity increased litigation costs. He said past years had seen larger outside‑counsel spends and that this year’s rebalancing included adding $60,000 to outside legal counsel for emergencies.

Bradshaw highlighted a professional services line (account 8399) as available for unanticipated needs and said the office expects to finish the fiscal year in good shape. No formal action was taken.","Staff reported the Civil Service budget at about 84% spent with end-of‑year rebalancing moving funds into outside counsel and litigation accounts after a busy hearing schedule.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6199575,"Civil Service staff reports improved applicant turnout for firefighter exam, plans to expand remote proctored testing",686,74000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3825315-0e7dd23fc0703c301489516fd4872c37&start=74&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3825315-0e7dd23fc0703c301489516fd4872c37/thumbnail_74000.jpg","/articles/6199575/Tennessee/Civil-Service-staff-reports-improved-applicant-turnout-for-firefighter-exam-plans-to-expand-remote-proctored-testing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199575-b611208d71086fd560761731b03cbbfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1776232259&Signature=QLRFwleevOQJ7sQMM7rIPrnFdqKHcdHJl-siUAHqMRmeCzjsaYCHLeR4NZ1dZ42HkkpDC7jN1fwA2ZYww~dgQPUD3pdPeEuV97ikUJIOJ154jT7yWyLg5YFkTkdEEEJBIr4IzB~O9HzMO6eQV2S07sTwDTZ7m5chAmEehQcaMrPDGbZm6gg2kdPk3bn2m0BxaHJ-9T7nSDqSLW~9JZpX-lGk6tp0YNLe156lURoKaB4jJjDfoRPaK3tRH2JG-69e8ozTkiU4RdxcVs8aCDfhg2LYX3ThkSdlzAAxHDQr10FfkRW-pgg5Ah8OZKHv4QRFoDy~skjwTACzydMpqr2bJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Civil Service staff presented a monthly update Wednesday showing stronger turnout for a recent firefighter posting, ongoing efforts to raise test report rates and plans to expand remote proctored testing capacity.

The report matters because Civil Service controls examination and referral processes that determine which applicants move into city hiring pools; changes to testing delivery and capacity could affect how quickly departments can fill vacancies.

Bradshaw, a Civil Service staff member, told the board the packet of handouts included a column “from receipt to referral” that the office uses to track the part of the process the board oversees. “That’s the one we care most about,” Bradshaw said, and he asked the board to focus on that column when reviewing staffing timetables.

Bradshaw detailed written-testing statistics and said some test formats — including vendor‑proctored e‑skills tests administered through Prometric-style services — produce higher report rates. On the recent firefighter posting he reported that 191 applicants met minimum qualifications, 146 were scheduled for tests and 141 showed up. “Some of those drop offs were folks that didn’t include all the proper documentation,” Bradshaw said.

Staff said the office’s aim is to raise the right‑hand “report rate” column by using testing methods better matched to the job — for example, relying less on written tests when a training‑and‑experience questionnaire is more appropriate — which the office believes will yield more and better applicants.

Bradshaw also described modernization work: a scanning project to digitize historical records and minutes, and a pending procurement to expand remote proctored testing licenses. He said the current contract ends in August and the new contract, now being routed, would increase remote‑proctored licenses from 150 to 500 per year, allowing more candidates to take examinations from home in qualifying situations.

The office noted that online testing and improved publicity — combined with recruiting efforts by hiring departments — have coincided with higher applicant counts for certain job classes. Bradshaw credited recruiting and marketing by departments as part of the increase and said Civil Service’s role is to “not get in the way” of those efforts.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the statistics; Bradshaw said he had shared the same data with the city COO, Brent Rosenberg, after a request for comparisons. No formal action was taken; staff said they will continue routing the contract and returning with updates when approvals are finalized.","Civil Service staff presented monthly testing and referral statistics showing stronger turnout for a recent firefighter posting, described steps to raise overall test report rates and said the office is routing a contract to increase remote proctored test licenses from 150 to 500.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

HR update: two summer interns, new certification and 'Days of Service' approved; board told executive secretary finalist will be recommended in July

Board approves temporary civil‑service exemptions for two KPD positions and a KFD part‑time assistant

Civil Service staff says budget near year‑end; funds rebalanced to cover higher litigation costs

Civil Service staff reports improved applicant turnout for firefighter exam, plans to expand remote proctored testing