DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION
The Commission hears appeals from the adverse actions taken to suspend, demote or dismiss an employee from the classified service if such right of appeal to the Commission is established in the personnel rules governing the employee; however, it may not hear any appeal of an action taken to suspend, demote or dismiss an employee of the government of Guam who has not been hired through the competitive hiring procedures of the personnel rules of the government of Guam, as such personnel rules required at the time of the hiring of the employee, nor any unclassified employee;
The provisions above shall not apply to the Judiciary or I Liheslaturan Guåhan [Legislature] in compliance with the doctrine of Separation of Powers, unless such separate Branch opts to make them applicable by submitting to the jurisdiction of the Commission; and all reference to classified employees will be deemed to mean classified employees of the Executive Branch, including agencies and authorities; and
The jurisdiction of the Commission shall not extend to academic personnel of the Guam Community College and the University of Guam, except upon mutual consent by the governing board of the respective institution and the Commission, nor to any position or person, appeal or proceeding of whatever kind or description if the position is denominated “unclassified” in this Title, except to the extent explicitly permitted in this Section, nor shall such jurisdiction extend to the determination of whether it is practicable to place a position in the classified service.
History
The creation of the Guam Civil Service Commission (CSC) was first contemplated in the Organic Act of Guam under §1422c, which states,
“The legislature shall establish a merit system and, as far as practicable, appointments and promotions shall be made in accordance with such merit system. The Government of Guam may by law establish a Civil Service Commission to administer the merit system. Members of the Commission may be removed as provided by the laws of Guam.” [cited in part]
However, it was not until August 7, 1967, with the passage of Public Law (PL) 9-86 that the CSC was actually created. The creation was prompted by a letter from then Governor Manuel F.L. Guerrero, which was submitted to the Ninth Guam Legislature to establish a CSC, separate from any operating department of the government in order to afford balance between the needs of the institution and rights of the employee.
Trainings and Community Service
- CSC worked for approximately a year on its proposed amendments to strengthen CSC’s Post Audit Authority. Supported by the Board, the staff proposed legislation to Senator Mary C. Torres. Senator Mary C. Torres agreed with CSC to adopt the draft proposals.
- Provided Political Activity training to political candidates, campaign managers, and other political officials as requested by the Guam Election Commission. CSC provided the Guam Election Commission with a copy of the Political Activity Power Point Presentation.
- Provided Grievance and Adverse Action training to the Guam Waterworks Authority for approximately 80 management, professional and supervisory employees.
- Provided Grievance and Adverse Action training to all Executive Branch departments, agencies, autonomous and line agencies, public corporations and instrumentalities and welcomed them to contact the CSC should they need assistance.
- Participated in numerous community service and outreach programs such as Governor’s Beautification program, costal clean-up, Relay for Life.
- Training provided to the Commissioners in conducting board hearing by Eric Miller, Administrative Counsel. Future trainings are to be scheduled for the Commissioners on Political Activity, Adverse Action, Grievances and conducting board hearing.
Goals and Future Plans
The Executive Director’s plans to maintain and improve operational effectiveness, with effectively timely, and judicious adjudication of classified employee’s appeals and complaints. CSC continues to be the vanguard of the merit system.
- To upgrade the CSC’s website in order to improve and make timely updates, improve storage capacity and to comply with transparency regulations.
- To upgrade CSC’s Microsoft Access System to stabilize the system and to be able to store, retrieve and query all records and information