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Seattle Municipal Archives Finding Aids

6000-00. Personnel Department

 Record Group
Identifier: 6000-00
The Personnel Department was created in 1979. It administers the employee selection system, labor relations and negotiations, benefit programs, and the classification/compensation plan. The Department also manages employee records, implements affirmative action, and coordinates other personnel related programs. The City Charter of 1896 created the Civil Service system and established the Civil Service Commission and Civil Service Department to administer the system. The reorganization in 1979 abolished the Civil Service Department, replacing it with the Personnel Department, and established the Civil Service Commission as a separate City agency. In 1997, the Personnel Department was incorporated as a division within the Executive Services Department. In 2001, a departmental reorganization reestablished Personnel as a separate and independent department. The bulk of records in this record group are from the old Civil Service Department.

Found in 34 Collections and/or Records:

Labor Management Leadership Committee Records

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6003-04
Abstract

Agendas and minutes for the Labor Management Leadership Committee.

Dates: 1996-1999

Labor Relations Policy Committee Records

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6003-03
Abstract

Agendas, minutes, and other information relating to the Labor Relations Policty Committee.

Dates: 1988-2003

Labor Relations Subject Files

 Series
Identifier: 6003-01
Abstract

Subject files for the Personnel Department's Labor Relations unit

Dates: 1968-2003

Health Care Cost Containment Committee Records

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6003-02
Abstract

The Health Care Cost Containment Committee was formed to review and analyze ways to contain medical and dental care costs. Records include agendas, reports, surveys and correspondence.

Dates: 1985-1998

Equal Employment Opportunity Program Records

 Series
Identifier: 6002-04
Abstract

Files include progress reports, affirmative action plans, goal setting and general reports, organized alphabetically by department.

Dates: 1970-1995

Professional Development Guides

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6008-02
Abstract

Guides to training offered to city employees by the Personnel Department.

Dates: 1981-2003

Information Technology Classification Records

 Series
Identifier: 6001-12
Abstract

Records from an initiative to develop City information technology positions within the personnel system.

Dates: 1998-2008

Personnel Department Annual Reports

 Series
Identifier: 6000-01
Scope and Contents note

Annual narrative, statistical, and financial report of the Civil Service Department and Civil Service Commission. Includes reports of the secretary to the Commission and the Chief Examiner; exam results; dismissals and investigations; engineers licenses issued; digests of amendments to Civil Service rules and Official Opinions; and reports of the Public Employment Office.

Dates: 1901-1973

Personnel Department General Files

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6000-03
Scope and Contents note

Appointments, separations, general correspondence, applications, employee lists, reports, payrolls, and publications. Arranged alphabetically for each year.

Dates: 1896-1949

Personnel Director's Records

 Series
Identifier: 6000-04
Abstract

Records from the Personnel Director for the City of Seattle.

Dates: 1968-1996

Civil Service Laws and Rules

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6000-06
Scope and Contents note

Published laws and rules governing the City's civil service system.

Dates: 1896-1965

Department Head Confirmation Records

 Series
Identifier: 6000-07
Scope and Contents note

Records relating to the search, evaluation, selection, and appointment of candidates for department director positions. Includes appointments, oaths of office, resumes and references, background checks, search committee records, organization charts, public disclosure forms, and other materials related to searches.

Dates: 1951-2011; 1969-1993

Boards and Commissions Reports

 Series
Identifier: 6000-08
Scope and Contents note

Standardized reports filed by boards, commissions, committees, and task forces. Includes authorizing information such as dates established, ordinance authority, and appointment authority; administrative details such as membership requirements, terms, meeting dates, officers, subcommittees, members names, and attendance records; and program information such as current activities, planning for the following year, and historical information. Reports are arranged alphabetically by entity.

Dates: 1976-2006

Applications

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6001-01
Scope and Contents note

Applications for City positions. Include position, applicants name, address, citizenship, birthplace and date, age, marital status, sex, height and weight, work history, and references. Arranged alphabetically by year.

Dates: 1914-1948

Civil Service Examinations

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6001-02
Scope and Contents note

Copies of Civil Service examinations given to establish employment registers. Arranged chronologically. Most of the series dates from 1903-1934; there are a smaller number of later exams for positions in the Personnel Department.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1903-1934; 1903-1974

Examination Statistics

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6001-03
Scope and Contents note

Compilation of Civil Service examination statistics including dates, job title, type of exam, number of applications rejected, number of people examined, number failing to appear, and numbers of passed and failed.

Dates: 1948-1975

Board of Examiners Correspondence

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6001-04
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence from the Board of Examiners relating to applications for examination, exam results, and notices of examination dates.

Dates: 1903-1909

Register of Eligibles for Labor Service

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6001-05
Scope and Contents note

Register of individuals eligible to work as laborers on Seattle's public works projects. Includes name, address, ward, age, type of work sought, and general examination average and rank. Also includes date certified for employment, employing department, position, wage, and other comments. This register was replaced by a card file in 1905.

Dates: 1896-1904

Register of Applicants and Eligibles

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6001-06
Scope and Contents note

A register of applicants for positions in the fire and police departments. Includes name, address, age, marital status, nativity, height, weight, and number of dependents for each applicant. Also includes information on civil service examination scores and rank, certification of employment, probationary appointments, separation from service, application and examination for promotion, and general remarks. A card file system replaced the register in 1905.

Dates: 1896-1904

Appointments and Separations

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6001-07
Scope and Contents note

Notices of Appointment, Reports of Employment, Reports of Discharge, and Reports of Separation documenting personnel actions. Information generally includes name of employee, job title, date of action, wage paid for appointments, and reasons for discharges. Also includes a few transcripts and summaries of hearings over disputed discharges. Arranged by department and then chronologically.

Dates: 1896-1908

Employment Bulletins

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6001-08
Abstract

Official job announcements published by the Personnel Department

Dates: 1953-1992; Majority of material found within 1973-1992

Personnel Cards

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6001-09
Scope and Contents note The Personnel Cards document employment and personnel actions for regular and temporary employees of the City of Seattle. All cards include employee name, date of birth, City position, date appointed to City service, department, salary, and personnel actions including date of the action. Regular employee cards also include the employee's address. Personnel actions can include, but are not limited to, appointments, reappointments, termination, suspension, reclassification, transfers, salary...
Dates: 1904-1957

Fire Department Exams and Correspondence

 Series
Identifier: 6001-10
Scope and Contents note The Seattle Fire Department Exams date from 1955 to 1991 and include exam questions and answers for all positions (Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Fireboat Engineer, and Fireboat Pilot), as well as promotional exams and women's pre-recruit program exams. After 1978, only firefighter exams are included. Information regarding written and physical tests as well as other means of evaluating applicants are included. Exam instructions, correspondence, and number of exams taken...
Dates: 1955-1991

Affirmative Action Reports

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6002-01
Abstract

Employment data from City of Seattle departments and offices.

Dates: 1979-1992

Equal Employment Opportunity Reports

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6002-02
Abstract

Employment data reports filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Dates: 1973-1984

Affirmative Action Task Force Records

 Series
Identifier: 6002-03
Abstract

Records of the Personnel Department's Affirmative Action Task Force.

Dates: 1993-1997

Labor Commissioner's Correspondence

 Series
Identifier: 6005-01
Abstract

Correspondence of the Labor Commissioner, 1896-1908.

Dates: 1896-1908

King-Snohomish Manpower Consortium Records

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6006-01
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, reports, minutes, policies and procedures, program proposals, sub-Grant agreements and modifications, and audit material relating to City beneficiary programs of the KSMC. Records relate especially to the Seattle School District, desegregation training, the Central Area Motivation Program, and the City's Public Service Employment Program.

Dates: 1975-1981

Journeyman Plumbers Examination Board Minutes

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6007-01
Scope and Contents note

Proceedings of board established in 1926 to examine plumbers. Includes lists of names, test scores, and individuals who passed exam.

Dates: 1926-1973

Meat Salesmen Examination Board Minutes

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6007-02
Scope and Contents note

Proceedings of Board established in 1931 to administer examinations to individuals seeking a meat salesman license. Includes lists of people who were examined and their scores.

Dates: 1931-1964

Refrigeration License Examination Board Minutes

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6007-03
Scope and Contents note

Proceedings of Board established in 1951 to administer examinations for the various classes identified ad requiring refrigeration licenses for employment. Minutes include lists of people passing examinations and those who failed or did not have the requisite work experience to qualify for the exam.

Dates: 1951-1974

Massage Board Records

 Series
Identifier: 6007-04
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, applications, reports, policy and procedures, draft legislation, and examination results relating to the licensing and monitoring of masseurs and masseuses.

Dates: 1958-1976

Massage Operators Examination Board Minutes

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6007-05
Scope and Contents note

Proceedings of meetings of the Massage Operators Examination Board. Includes results of examinations, discussion and decisions on appeals, and policies regarding licensing.

Dates: 1943-1976

Personnel Department Digital Photographs

 Series
Identifier: 6008-01
Abstract

Content includes images from the Training and Development Division, Service Awards for 35 years and 20 years of service as a City employee.

Dates: 2007