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Board hears staff and HR updates; introduces new civil service analyst Viviana Velez
Summary
Staff reported on an Oracle implementation timeline, a two‑year testing contract, upcoming police promotion oral interviews, a status report of one grievance and two disciplinary actions, and HR reported a nearly 200‑respondent pulse survey plus training and recruiting updates. Viviana Velez was introduced as a new civil service analyst.
During its Nov. 12 meeting the Civil Service Merit Board received routine staff and HR reports covering technology, testing, recruiting and training.
Melissa, speaking for the civil service staff, said the Oracle project is slated to move forward in January and that staff are preparing for that implementation. Melissa reported the department renewed its test platform (referred to as the Skill contract) on a two‑year agreement with a discount for a multi‑year purchase and said the vendor will provide custom questions, assessment consulting and an account manager.
Melissa also outlined the promotional process for police ranks: structured oral interviews are scheduled in November for promotions to captain, lieutenant and sergeant and are expected to finish by Nov. 18; she said raters from other agencies will participate. On disciplinary and grievance activity Melissa reported there is one active grievance and two disciplinary actions. She introduced the new civil service analyst, Viviana Velez, saying, “We’re very happy to have her.”
The HR representative reported results of an Oct. 31 pulse survey with "almost 200" respondents collected at the benefits fair and said the city is working with the Harvard Bloomberg Fellowship program to build an engagement baseline. HR announced a supervisory training session on Dec. 10 and a "first‑time leader" training in partnership with MPAS on Jan. 15. Vacancy reports show police and fire are nearly fully staffed while the public service department has the largest number of open positions; HR also said it has secured five Baker interns for the spring and named Leah Pendarvis as the TPMA representative for planning the spring conference.
Board members thanked staff for the reports; no formal action was required on these items during the meeting.
