Civil Service Commission

Authorized by and Date: Spokane City Charter (Article VI); 1960

Mission Statement: Providing a diverse, high-performing workforce to serve the Spokane community for generations to come through open, competitive, streamlined, and client-centric personnel services.

Role and Responsibilities: The Commission’s primary responsibility is to prevent political influence in the City’s hiring, promotional and disciplinary processes.

The Commission has a duty to ensure:

  • positions are open to all interested individuals, regardless of their connections or political affiliations,
  • candidates have the qualifications and appropriate skills to perform the jobs they apply for, and
  • positions are earned on the basis of individual merit.

The Commission upholds due process rights for employee discipline and terminations to verify any actions are taken for cause.

In addition, the Commission performs the following functions:

  • Advises the City Council, Mayor, and department heads on matters relating to the Civil Service Merit System.
  • Establishes and administers the Civil Service Rules.
  • Maintains a classification plan for City positions.
  • Provides oversight of personnel status changes.
  • Adjudicates employee appeals and complaints.

Meeting date, time and location: The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chamber.

Members Representing Dates of Term
Nicole Palmerton, Vice Chair Spokane City Council Appointee 04/19/2021 – 12/31/2024
Craig Hult Spokane City Council Appointee 01/01/2019 – 12/31/2026
Scott Stephens, Chair Civil Service Commission Appointee 01/01/2022 – 12/31/2025
Mark Lindsey Employee Retirement Board and Police/Fire Officers Unions Appointee 01/01/2019 – 12/31/2026
Judith Gilmore Employee Retirement Board 01/01/2021 – 12/31/2024

Documents

Annual Reports

Agendas

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

Minutes

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

Contact

Civil Service Commission
4th Floor, City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201

Phone: 509.625.6160
TTY: 509.625.6681
civilserviceinfo@spokanecity.org

Kelsey Pearson
Chief Examiner
509.625.6166
kpearson@spokanecity.org

Margaret Harrington
Legal Counsel
509.625.6285
mharrington@spokanecity.org