Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
1046.0.0
EMERGENCY HIRES
1046.0.1 This
establishes Department of Human Services (DHS) policy and procedure regarding
short term emergency hires that for the maintenance of essential services to
clients and the public may be made without regard to other provisions of hiring
policies.
1046.0.2 This policy is
applicable to any regularly authorized position determined by the DHS
Director/designee to be critical to the provision of services and internal
operations. "Critical" is defined to mean that if the position is left vacant
for an extended period of time, services will be disrupted to the point that
the safety or welfare of clients or the public will be placed in jeopardy or
the continued provision of services will require additional expense in the form
of compensatory time. Documented justification for the emergency hire must be
provided in each instance.
1046.1.0
Emergency Hire will be
Approved only on Rare Occasions
It is the policy of DHS to ensure equal opportunities in the
recruitment and selection for all DHS jobs. Therefore, emergency hire, without
the benefit of minimum advertising, is the least desirable method of filling
positions and will be approved only on rare occasions. This method should be
used only when the delay from the minimum advertising period will have an
immediate effect on public peace, health and safety. The requesting
division/office must provide substantial and specific justification detailing
the situation that constitutes an emergency.
1046.2.0
Conditions for Emergency
Hire
1046.2.1 Emergency hire cannot
exceed the amount of time necessary to satisfy advertisement requirements and
complete the selection/placement process. In no event can the emergency hire
exceed six (6) months.
1046.2.2 The
position must be vacant with freeze requirements satisfied (freeze exempt or
freeze approval obtained).
1046.2.3
The job offer is contingent upon the emergency hire candidate passing a
pre-employment drug screening test. (See DHS Policy 1087, DHS Employee Drug and
Alcohol Prevention)
1046.2.4
Criminal and maltreatment history checks may be required, depending on the
position. (See DHS Policy 1080, Employment Disqualification: Criminal &
Maltreatment History Checks)
1046.2.5 The emergency hire candidate must
complete employment disclosures.
1046.2.6 The emergency hire candidate must
complete a state application and meet minimum qualifications as specified on
the State Job Specification.
1046.2.7 The emergency hire candidate must
sign a written DHS 1105, Employment Agreement (available on DHS Gold) that
clearly specifies the hire is temporary and if the candidate desires to seek
the position as a regular employee he/she must compete with all other
applicants for the position.
1046.2.8 If the position is ultimately filled
by a candidate other than the emergency hire, a separate freeze approval must
be requested if the position is non-freeze exempt.
1046.2.9 Credit for experience in the
emergency hire status will not be given to the emergency hire when applications
are pre-screened to determine the certified list of eligibles (initial ten
applicants referred for interview).
1046.2.10 The emergency hire may be internal
(DHS employee) or external (Non-DHS employee). However, DHS employees must
understand that to accept an emergency hire position will mean they must resign
from their current position.
1046.3.0
Responsibilities
1046.3.1 The DHS Director/designee will
approve all requests for emergency hire, assure Employment Agreements are
executed, and certify that the qualifications of the applicant meet the minimum
qualifications as stated on the classification specification.
1046.3.2 The Office of Finance and
Administration (OFA) Personnel Office or applicable Institutional Personnel
Office staff must certify that the candidate meets required minimum
qualifications. Verbal approval followed by written verification is
permissible.
1046.3.3 Emergency
hire requests will be submitted to the OFA Office of Personnel Classification
and Compensation Unit and will include:
* Emergency Hire Request Form (OPM Form 090) (located on DHS
Gold in the DF&A Office of Personnel Management Policy & Procedures
Manual)
* Completed State Application
* Detailed Justification
1046.4.0
Originating
Section/Department Contact
Office of Finance and Administration Human Resources/Support
Services Section Policy and Administrative Program Management P.O. Box
1437/Slot Number W403 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 Telephone: 682-5835
Replacement Notation: This policy replaces DHS Policy 1046
dated October 3, 1988.
