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Personnel Commission

Merit System Rules and Regulations

The San Mateo County Office of Education Personnel Commission is guided by Merit System Rules & Regulations, which have been set forth to treat employees and applicants fairly and equitably.

The Merit System is a method of Personnel Management designed to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that the County Office hires and promotes qualified employees through a consistent, lawful, and job-relevant testing and hiring process. One of the fundamental goals of any public educational institution is to be accountable for representing the public interest. The community expects that public employment procedures be conducted in a fair, efficient, and transparent manner. The Merit System provides a personnel selection system that is open to all, free from political influence, and aims to provide highly qualified employment candidates.

Core Functions

  • Ensuring open competitive employment selection procedures for classified employees based on job relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Establishing and approving classified job descriptions and compensation for classified positions.
  • Hearing and resolving protests concerning employment examination or selection procedures.
  • Hearing and adjudicating classified disciplinary appeals.
  • Prescribing classified personnel management policies on matters concerning employee recruitment, selection, promotion and other employment subjects enumerated in the Education Code.
  • Working closely with the Superintendent of Schools to ensure efficient management of the classified service

Classification & Compensation Study

The San Mateo County Office of Education has concluded its classification and compensation study in October 2024. The report is separated into two sections: one that outlines the classification study, and the other that outlines the compensation study. At the appendix of each section, the deliverables related to each phase of the study are included. The primary goals of the study were as follows:

  • To obtain detailed information regarding each position through a variety of techniques, including written Position Description Questionnaires (PDQs) and interviews with employees and management;
  • To prepare an updated classification plan, including recommended class descriptions and position allocations, that recognizes the scope and level of the various classes and positions;    
  • To provide class descriptions and other documentation that includes information required for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and appropriate qualifications, including knowledge, skills, and other requirements that are job-related and meet other legal guidelines;
  • To allow for the development of training programs/plans that foster succession planning; and
  • To design an equitable and competitive salary structure

About the Personnel Commission

Commissioners

The Personnel Commission staff is committed to providing "hands-on" service support in helping the San Mateo County Office of Education meet all of its classified human resources management needs while fulfilling our purpose to uphold the principles of fairness, consistency, and accountability in administering our merit-based employment program.