§ 3.04.020. Employment and organization.

A.

The various officers are hereby allowed assistants, deputies, and employees, to be appointed or employed in the manner and to the extent as provided in this chapter and by law.

B.

The powers and duties of officers shall be such as are provided by or pursuant to the law of the state and ordinances of the County of Riverside. Appointive officers shall also have such additional powers and duties as may lawfully be delegated to them by the board of supervisors.

C.

All employees shall have and exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be directed by the respective officers under whose direction they work, subject to the provisions of this chapter.

D.

The conditions of employment specified in this chapter shall apply to all officers and employees except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable memorandum of understanding between the county and a recognized employee organization (herein "MOU"). One or more of such conditions may be varied as to Resident Physicians and Surgeons at the Riverside University Health System - Medical Center (RUHS - MC) by resolution of the board of supervisors.

E.

In the absence or incapacity of the sheriff, the undersheriff will command the department, followed by the assistant sheriff assigned to patrol and investigations, followed by the assistant sheriff assigned to court services/corrections, followed by the assistant sheriff assigned to administration/support services.

F.

After an agency/department head has been continuously absent as the result of illness, injury, or leave of absence for more than twenty (20) working days, the assistant agency/department head, or if there is none, the senior employee next in authority, if he/she possesses any required license, shall automatically assume the designation as acting agency/department head, unless the board of supervisors appoints another person as acting agency/department head. This shall be deemed a temporary promotion. If the position of agency/department head becomes vacant, or in any case not covered by the foregoing provision, the board of supervisors shall designate the acting agency/department head, which shall be a temporary promotion.

When the absence ceases or the vacancy is filled, the temporarily promoted employee shall return to his/her regular position, and his/her regular salary plan and grade and anniversary date shall be re-determined as if the temporary promotion had not occurred. Any step increases which would have been due in his/her regular position shall be allowed.

G.

Except as otherwise provided by law every officer shall be a citizen of the United States.

H.

When in the judgment of the board of supervisors it becomes necessary or desirable to use the services of an employee within the same agency/department in a capacity other than that for which he/she is regularly employed, the board of supervisors may by resolution authorize such additional employment, fix any conditions, and provide for the rate of pay. Such additional employment shall not be included in computing vacation, sick leave, or similar benefits; or eligibility for step advance.

I.

Employment of relatives. No officer shall appoint his or her spouse, or the spouse of any officer superior to himself/herself, in any capacity for compensation and no such spouse shall be eligible for appointment to or continued employment in the same position of any such person who succeeded thereto pursuant to any provision of law. Continued employment shall be deemed to include promotion, demotion, or transfer, if such employee is otherwise qualified.

Except as otherwise provided herein, no person shall be denied the opportunity for employment or continued employment because such person is related to any person presently employed by the County of Riverside. In no instance, shall a county officer or employee be within the chain of command or span of control (i.e. execute supervision over or initiate or participate in decisions (including but not limited to initial employment, retention, evaluation, promotion, or work assignments)) specifically pertaining to another county employee who is related within the first degree of consanguinity whether by blood or marriage or any familial relationship that management determines may lead to conflict. Familial relationship shall include, but is not limited to, spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, grandparent, or the equivalent relationships through a lawfully registered domestic partnership.

Should such relationship occur, the employee(s) may promote, voluntarily demote, or will be transferred to position(s) which the employee is eligible and selected to fill. The promotion, transfer, or voluntary demotion must be accomplished within six months.

J.

The Executive Director, Salton Sea Authority and the Executive Secretary for the Salton Sea Authority shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Salton Sea Authority and shall serve at the pleasure and will of the board of directors. Prior to appointment, the County of Riverside Human Resources Director shall obtain written acknowledgment from the prospective appointee(s) acknowledging his or her understanding of such at-will status. Any person appointed to either of these positions may be terminated from service at any time, by the Board of Directors of the Salton Sea Authority, without notice, cause, or rights of appeal. The Board of Directors of the Salton Sea Authority shall by employment agreement determine the compensation, benefits, and conditions of employment for the Executive Director, Salton Sea Authority.

(Ord. No. 440.1761, § 2, 9-15-2015; Ord. No. 440.1762, § 2, 1-5-2016)