Civil Service Board approves multiple probation extensions, military leave and reemployment requests

The City of Miami Civil Service Board on Aug. 19 approved a series of personnel actions including probationary period extensions for multiple employees, a military leave of absence, and the reemployment of a fire lieutenant returning from military service.

Board members moved and seconded each item; votes were recorded as voice approvals. The board approved probation-extension requests submitted by the Fire Rescue and Police departments that ranged from three to 12 additional months, in each case to allow the departments to complete required training or to account for medical leave or academy recycling.

Specific extensions approved on Aug. 19 included:

- B1: Extension of the probationary period for John Ramsey, firefighter, for 6 months beyond Sept. 30, 2025. Motion by Board Member Jimenez; second by Board Member Soliman; approved by voice vote.

- B2: Extension for Police Officer Eric Zamora Castillo for 3 months beyond Aug. 2, 2025. Motion by Board Member Lanier; second by Board Member Jimenez; approved by voice vote.

- B3: Extension for Thomas (record specialist) for 4 months beyond July 27, 2025 to allow proficiency in new classification under the Aspen contract. Motion by Board Member Soledemann; second by Board Member Lanier; approved by voice vote.

- B4: Extension for Uriel (Bridal/Uriel) Ramos, police officer, for 6 months beyond Oct. 25, 2025 to complete training required by the collective bargaining agreement after academy recycling. Motion by Board Member Diner; second by Board Member Soliman; approved by voice vote.

- B5: Extension for Darren Jones, police officer, for 3 months beyond Jan. 11, 2026 to complete FOP-required training. Motion by Board Member Soliman; second by Board Member Lanier; approved by voice vote.

- B6: Extension for Chelsea LeVitt, police officer, for 12 months beyond Dec. 12, 2025. The department explained LeVitt missed training time due to medical leave and light duty, and the extension is intended to cover the remaining training time within the 24-month maximum probationary window. Motion by Board Member Soliman; second by Board Member Jimenez; approved by voice vote.

- B7: Extension for Trayvon (Traven/Trayvon) Henry, police officer, for 6 months beyond Oct. 25, 2025 following academy recycling. Motion by Board Member Lanier; second by Board Member Soliman; approved by voice vote.

Other personnel actions recorded and approved:

- C1: Military leave without pay for Police Officer Catherine Triana Vasquez beginning July 7, 2025, for an indefinite period. Motion by Board Member Jimenez; second by Board Member Soledemann; approved.

- C2: Reemployment of Roberto Luna as Fire Lieutenant following return from military service; memorandum from the Air Force indicating honorable discharge was provided. Motion by Board Member Jimenez; second by Board Member Soledemann; approved.

- V8: Extension of probationary period for Janeth Iglesias, administrative aide 1, for 6 months beyond Sept. 18, 2025; Ms. Iglesias was ill and had signed a concurrence memo. Motion by Board Member Soledemann; second by Board Member Cabrera; approved.

The board also took "note" of several items including a settlement agreement between the city and Police Sergeant Gary Sampson relating to a 10-hour suspension, and a status update on an appealed termination for a former equipment operator, which staff said remains pending settlement negotiations. For the grievance hearings listed under item H, the board recorded that H1 was settled and H2 withdrawn; H1 was continued by joint motion to the Sept. 16 meeting as part of the Matias whistleblower schedule.

Board members and department representatives explained reasons for the extensions: most were the first probationary extensions for the employees and were requested either because employees were recycled to a later academy class, required additional on-the-job training for a new classification, or missed training time due to medical leave. Departments cited compliance with collective bargaining agreements (identified as FOP in the record) and specific contract terms (Aspen) when explaining the administrative requests.

All motions listed above were approved by the board in voice votes during the Aug. 19 session.