The Ethics Commission did not offer a written opinion on the issue, according to OEC executive director Paul Nick, who added the OEC had no formal record of anyone making a query about the issue, although there could have been an informal phone call.
Evans has served as a human resource analyst for Dayton since 1989, focusing on contract negotiations and labor arbitrations, according to the city.
“He is energetic and passionate about his work. We’ve had good experience with him in the past,” said Talbert Grooms, chairman of the Civil Service Board.
Grooms said Evans has firsthand knowledge of civil service’s rules of governance, and added that his relationship with labor groups and city management “will be a valuable asset as we move forward.”
Jim Cox, president of Dayton’s firefighters union, agreed Evans would be a good fit, citing his willingness to “be open and honest and discuss things” when the parties have had disagreements in the past.
Grooms said Evans’ annual salary will be about $104,000. The secretary/chief examiner is the city’s top hiring official and runs the civil service department on a day-to-day basis, while a separate three-member civil service board has final voting authority.
Jim Moore had been interim secretary/chief examiner since March, as the city worked through a difficult police testing process overseen by the U.S. Justice Department. The city’s previous secretary and chief examiner, Giselle Johnson, resigned under pressure in February after the DOJ rejected the city’s recommended passing score on the November 2010 police exam. Since then, Dayton has continued its police testing process under Moore, and has had its hiring eligibility list approved by the DOJ.
Grooms said his department is now working with Dayton Fire Chief Herbert Redden on a testing and hiring process for firefighters that will satisfy DOJ requirements.
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