Civil Service Commission (CSC)

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Guiding Principles & Values

Integrity - We fulfill our charge as an independent quasi-judicial body committed to ensuring fair administration of our responsibilities.

Equity - We pledge to treat employees who appear before the commission with impartiality, fairness, and justice. The commission recognizes that implicit bias and inequities are present in all social systems and works to eliminate them.

Accessibility -  We are open, available, and engaged with employees who feel harmed by alleged violations of the personnel rules and appeal to the Commission. We seek to reduce barriers to being heard and listen to employees who seek fairness in appeals of demotions, terminations, suspensions, and alleged violations of personnel rules. 

What we do

  • Hear Employee Appeals of Serious Discipline- The CSC conducts hearings and renders decisions on employee appeals of serious disciplinary actions (Demotion, Suspension, and Termination)
  • Political Patronage Investigations- The CSC is empowered to investigate allegations whether hires and promotions comply with Seattle’s merit-based hiring requirements.
  • Monthly Meetings- The CSC meets monthly to conduct business in an open, public setting. Meetings may occur more frequently when needed.
  •  Recommendations on City Personnel Systems- The CSC reviews rules, policies, programs, and legislation related to the City's personnel system, and makes recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council.
  • Training and Outreach- CSC staff members provide training to employee groups, department decision makers, HR units, and other audiences. Contact CSC staff to discuss training for your group.

Which employees are members of Seattle's civil service system?

Most regular City employees are members of the civil service and served by the Commission. Some classifications (types of jobs/positions) are exempt from Civil Service, including appointed positions, Assistant City Attorneys, positions in the Executive series, and employees of the Seattle Public Library. A comprehensive list of exempt positions can be found in the Seattle Municipal Code, SMC 4.13- Exemptions from Civil Service. Temporary employees, interns, and job training positions are exempt from the civil service. Employees are encouraged to contact their HR contact or CSC staff to inquire about their civil service status.

More about Appeals to the Civil Service Commission

Find more about filing an appeal with the CSC at Civil Service Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure and the Appeals section of our website. Employees may also contact their HR contacts with questions about the civil service and their rights.

The CSC does not provide legal advice. The information on this site is for informational purposes only.