Johnson County’s IT director, with human resources, presented June 25 a proposed promotion process for newly created IT job levels (1, 2 and 3) intended to improve staff retention and make advancement criteria transparent.

What was proposed: The policy lays out objective criteria and procedures for moving employees between levels inside two IT role families that were established previously to aid retention. The plan includes written performance evidence, timelines and an annual effective promotion date in July.

Board reaction: Supervisors praised the clarity of the procedure and asked how it fits with hiring practices. Bill Horning, IT director, said the department prefers hiring at level 1 where possible and using the level path to develop local expertise; occasional hires at higher levels may be needed depending on skill needs. Supervisors asked about probationary periods and how quickly a new hire could advance; staff said initial hires would still have the standard probationary period and that promotions would become effective in the July following a review cycle.

Next steps: Supervisors asked staff to place the promotion process on the July 3 formal agenda for adoption.