The City of Newton has an open position on the Civil Service Commission. This is a volunteer committee of three commissioners that serve for a term of four years. They are called to service a few times a year.
Commissioners must be citizens of the state and residents of the city for more than five years. This is a human rights commission under Iowa Code 400 This chapter applies to permanent full-time police officers and fire fighters in cities having a population of more than eight thousand.
The city’s police and fire currently run their own interviews and testing but do come to the commission to speak on the process and the applicants. The commission is always welcome to participate in the interview process. The commission then certifies the candidate list for council. The commission would also be called to discuss promotions, changes in positions, and disciplinary grievance issues.
The purpose of the commission shall be to provide a harmonious, efficient, and courteous public service which will protect the interests of the City of Newton and its employees. No person shall in any way be favored or discriminated against because of his race, political or religious opinions and affiliations, national origins, sex, age, employee union or association membership, or office therein. It is the hope and will be the endeavor of this Commission to carry on the purpose of its empowering act, and consequently bring to the citizens, employees and the city government of Newton the advantages of public service based on merit.