Civil Service Commission to allow IVCC study resources; notes Telecommunicator guide behind paywall

The City of Ottawa Civil Service Commission voted April 10 to prepare rule changes allowing the Commission to provide IVCC-curated study resources for four classifications: Vehicle Maintenance, General Office, General Labor/Building Maintenance, and Water/Wastewater. The motion to prepare and modify rules was moved by Jim Reilly and seconded by Kim Czyz; the motion passed with all members voting in favor.

Legal counsel told the Commission that it may supply study materials so long as all individuals within a classification are treated equally and there is a reasonable basis for treating one classification differently from another. Haley Roalson reported that IVCC will provide the four study guides, while IOSolutions declined to provide a free Telecommunicator guide; candidates may purchase that guide on IOSolutions’ website for $22.99. Commissioner Heather Johnson said she was concerned about a study guide being behind a paywall; Commissioner Kim Czyz noted the paywall constitutes a reasonable basis for the Commission not providing a Telecommunicator guide while still directing candidates on how to obtain available materials.

The Commission directed staff to prepare rule modifications reflecting that IVCC materials may be provided and to include an explanation in Commission materials regarding the Telecommunicator guide’s paywall. IVCC has already created a Water/Wastewater reference that Haley Roalson edited to include Commission details and a disclaimer supplied by Heather Johnson. The Commission agreed to label the materials a 'Resource' rather than a 'Study Packet' and said it will formally approve the four resources once they are all received.