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7.05 / Appointment to Classified Service

When a classified position becomes available, OHR will post the vacancy for a minimum of five business days internally for current, regular employees who have achieved permanent status and who meet the required qualifications.  After the fifth business day, vacancies may be listed for external applicants, e.g., employees from other state agencies and/or any other external applicant who is registered with the State of Kansas who meets the required qualifications.  Applicants should apply for a specific vacancy at the OHR offices.

Probationary Appointment:
Each newly hired employee is subject to a probationary period of six months.  This probationary period can be extended by the supervisor for up to six additional months if action to extend the probationary period is taken prior to the end of the original six-months probationary period.

Employees in trainee positions cannot achieve permanent status until the position has been reclassified into the regular classification.  Therefore, there is no probationary period for trainee positions.  An employee will remain in "trainee" status a minimum of six months and a maximum of two years.  In order to be reclassified to the regular classification, the employee must meet the requirements designated for the regular classification within the six-month to two-year trainee time frame.

Promotional Appointment:
Promotions will be subject to a probationary period of not less than three months, nor more than six months.  However, a probationary period of up to 12 months may be established when specific training or certifications requirements for a position cannot be completed within six months.

Rehire as a Reemployment:
Employees who are laid off, demoted, or transferred in lieu of a layoff will be eligible to apply for any vacancy to be filled, including internal vacancies, for up to three years from the date they were laid off.

Rehire as a Reinstatement:
An employee who separates from state service in good standing will be eligible to apply for any vacancy open for statewide promotion and transfer for one year from the date of separation.

Salary Increases:
A new employee to the State of Kansas will begin on step 4 of the State Pay Plan.  After a six-month probationary period the employee will be eligible for regular status assuming a satisfactory or better performance evaluation has been completed.  After that time, employee performance reviews will be completed annually.  If a cost of living increase or step increase is funded by the state legislature, that amount would be added to the employee's salary.  All pay increases are contingent on approval by the Kansas state legislature each year.

Temporary Positions:
Temporary positions may be filled by a person who meets minimum qualifications for the class.  Employment will not exceed 999 hours of employment in a 12-month period, from date of appointment.  All time worked, including overtime, will count toward the 999 hours.  Time in a temporary position will not be counted as the probationary period, nor will it count toward the six-month requirement in a regular position; however, time as a temporary will count toward the 60 day waiting period for group health insurance benefit should the employee be hired in to a regular position.

Demotion:

  1. Voluntary: Any permanent employee may be demoted to a position in a lower class if that position is in the same series of classes, or if the individual qualifies for the lower class position.  If a permanent employee voluntarily requests demotion, the request will be subject to the approval of the Director of Human Resources.
  2. Involuntary: The Director of Human Resources may demote any permanent employee for inefficient performance of duties, for disciplinary reasons, or for other good cause.
Lateral Transfer:
In a lateral transfer an employee moves from one position to another position in the same class and pay grade.  Lateral transfers of University personnel where no salary advantage is realized are not considered promotions.  They will be made in accordance with existing State of Kansas regulations and will be made only when it is determined that the transfer is in the best interest of both the employee and the University.  A permanent employee who transfers to another position at WSU or another state agency will not be required to serve another probationary period.

Revision Date:
March 1, 2002

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