REGULAR MEETING OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2026, AT 9:30 A.M. AUSTIN HUMAN RESOURCES, LEARNING AND RESEARCH CENTER 5202 E. BEN WHITE BLVD., SUITE 500, AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Municipal Civil Service Commission may be participating by videoconference. EXECUTIVE SESSION (No Public Discussion on These Items) The Commission will announce it will go into closed session pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel, or to discuss matters of litigation and personnel matters as specifically listed on this agenda. If necessary, the Commission will go into closed session, as permitted by law, regarding any item on this agenda. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Matthew Chustz, 512-974-2859, Matthew.Chustz@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Kevin Mullen, Chair Mellissa Rogers Vacant AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kavita Gupta, Vice Chair John Umphress The first ten (10) speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes from the Municipal Civil Service Commission regular meeting on October 27, 2025. HEARING 2. 3. 4. Conduct a hearing in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Andrew Rivera regarding their Discharge from Austin Energy. Deliberate in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Andrew Rivera regarding their Discharge from Austin Energy. Action and approval on the appeal filed by Andrew Rivera regarding their Discharge from Austin Energy. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and action to approve future meeting dates, times, and locations. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before …
MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025 The Municipal Civil Service Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 5202 E. Ben White Blvd., Suite 500, Austin, TX 78741. Vice Chair Kavita Gupta called the Municipal Civil Service Commission meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kavita Gupta, Vice Chair Melissa Rogers Ayo Akande John Umphress PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Robert Duncan spoke suggesting a rule be added to the MCS Rules to prevent about Departments removing a job posting after a Denial of Promotion Grievance has already been filed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes from the Municipal Civil Service Commission Regular Meeting on September 8, 2025. The minutes from the Municipal Civil Service Commission regular meeting on September 8, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Umphress’ motion, Commissioner Rogers’ second on a 4-0 vote. PUBLIC HEARING 2. Conduct a hearing in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personal exception), on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction-In-Force from Austin Public Health. A hearing was conducted on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction-In-Force from Austin Public Health. 3. Deliberate in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction- In-Force from Austin Public Health. Vice Chair Gupta recessed the Municipal Civil Service Commission meeting to go into closed session at 4:53 p.m. The Commission deliberated in closed session on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction-In-Force from Austin Public Health. Closed session ended, and Vice Chair Gupta called the Municipal Civil Service Commission meeting back to order at 5:30 p.m. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Action and approval on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction- In-Force from Austin Public Health. The motion to deny Lindsey Randall’s appeal and uphold the decision made by the City of Austin in the Discharge – Reduction-In-Force of Lindsey Randall was approved on Vice Chair Gupta’s motion, Commissioner Rogers’ second on a vote of 3-1. Those members voting aye were: Vice Chair Gupta, Commissioner Akande, and Commissioner Rogers. Those voting nay were: Commissioner Umphress. 5. Discussion and action to approve future meeting dates, times, and locations. Discussion was held regarding future meeting …
Municipal Civil Service Commission 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule January 12, 2026 January 26, 2026 July 13, 2026 July 27, 2026 February 9, 2026 August 10, 2026 February 23, 2026 August 24, 2026 March 9, 2026 September 14, 2026 March 23, 2026 September 28, 2026 April 13, 2026 April 27, 2026 May 11, 2026 June 8, 2026 June 22, 2026 October 12, 2026 October 26, 2026 November 9, 2026 December 14, 2026 2026 MCSC Meeting Schedule Approved on September 8, 2025
REGULAR MEETING OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026, AT 9:30 A.M. AUSTIN HUMAN RESOURCES, LEARNING AND RESEARCH CENTER 5202 E. BEN WHITE BLVD., SUITE 500, AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Municipal Civil Service Commission may be participating by videoconference. EXECUTIVE SESSION (No Public Discussion on These Items) The Commission will announce it will go into closed session pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel, or to discuss matters of litigation and personnel matters as specifically listed on this agenda. If necessary, the Commission will go into closed session, as permitted by law, regarding any item on this agenda. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Matthew Chustz, 512-974-2859, Matthew.Chustz@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Kevin Mullen, Chair Mellissa Rogers Vacant AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kavita Gupta, Vice Chair John Umphress The first ten (10) speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes from the Municipal Civil Service Commission regular meeting on October 27, 2025. HEARING 2. 3. 4. Conduct a hearing in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Keiona Ausbie regarding their Discharge from Austin Police. Deliberate in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Keiona Ausbie regarding their Discharge from Austin Police. Action and approval on the appeal filed by Keiona Ausbie regarding their Discharge from Austin Police. STAFF BRIEFING 5. 6. Staff briefing regarding an extension to the pilot program and temporary waiver of the Municipal Civil Service Rules, including Rule 4.03, to exempt specific Positions from Posting or application requirements, while maintaining provisions of the Competitive Process to allow conditional offers based on Merit and Fitness. Presentation by Rebecca Kennedy, Deputy Director, Austin Human Resources. Staff briefing regarding Municipal Civil Service Commissioner Appointment Process and updated term …
MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025 The Municipal Civil Service Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 5202 E. Ben White Blvd., Suite 500, Austin, TX 78741. Vice Chair Kavita Gupta called the Municipal Civil Service Commission meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kavita Gupta, Vice Chair Melissa Rogers Ayo Akande John Umphress PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Robert Duncan spoke suggesting a rule be added to the MCS Rules to prevent about Departments removing a job posting after a Denial of Promotion Grievance has already been filed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes from the Municipal Civil Service Commission Regular Meeting on September 8, 2025. The minutes from the Municipal Civil Service Commission regular meeting on September 8, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Umphress’ motion, Commissioner Rogers’ second on a 4-0 vote. PUBLIC HEARING 2. Conduct a hearing in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personal exception), on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction-In-Force from Austin Public Health. A hearing was conducted on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction-In-Force from Austin Public Health. 3. Deliberate in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction- In-Force from Austin Public Health. Vice Chair Gupta recessed the Municipal Civil Service Commission meeting to go into closed session at 4:53 p.m. The Commission deliberated in closed session on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction-In-Force from Austin Public Health. Closed session ended, and Vice Chair Gupta called the Municipal Civil Service Commission meeting back to order at 5:30 p.m. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Action and approval on the appeal filed by Lindsey Randall regarding their Discharge – Reduction- In-Force from Austin Public Health. The motion to deny Lindsey Randall’s appeal and uphold the decision made by the City of Austin in the Discharge – Reduction-In-Force of Lindsey Randall was approved on Vice Chair Gupta’s motion, Commissioner Rogers’ second on a vote of 3-1. Those members voting aye were: Vice Chair Gupta, Commissioner Akande, and Commissioner Rogers. Those voting nay were: Commissioner Umphress. 5. Discussion and action to approve future meeting dates, times, and locations. Discussion was held regarding future meeting …
Municipal Civil Service Municipal Civil Service Contingent Hiring Pilot Extension Contingent Hiring Pilot Extension Austin Human Resources | January 26, 2026 Purpose In October 2024, the Municipal Civil Service Commission recommended that the City Council approve a 12-month pilot to waive the posting requirement for specific positions for Citywide hiring. The City Council approved the waiver on November 21, 2024. The pilot began in January 2025 and ended December 2025. This focused on positions that require no experience or where substitution for minimum experience is allowed. Austin Human Resources is requesting an extension of the pilot through December 2026. 2 Article IX – City Charter At a minimum, the civil service rules must contain provisions governing: (1) initial appointments, promotions, and lateral transfers, all of which shall be based on merit and fitness; (2) disciplinary probation or suspension, involuntary demotion, denial of promotion, and discharge, all of which, in the case of non-probationary employees, must be for cause; (3) the establishment of probationary periods not to exceed six months for all initial appointments, during which time the appointee may be removed from the position without cause; (4) the establishment of probationary periods not to exceed three months for all promotional appointments, during which time the appointee may be removed from the position promoted to, and returned to his/her prior position, without cause; (5) procedures for reductions in force that give consideration to the affected employees' length of service and past work performance; and (6) other provisions, not inconsistent with this subsection, that may be required by the city council. 3 Pilot Guidelines were developed stating that all departments are eligible to participate in the pilot if they have titles on the approved list. The process eliminated the posting requirement for those titles. Eligible events included in the pilot: City-sponsored job fairs, University job events, Reentry-initiative programs, Community job events. City-sponsored, community, or public events where contingent offers are provided are advertised to allow current employees and temporary employees the ability to participate. 4 4 Pilot All candidates for vacant positions must complete an interview process where they are: Evaluated for Merit and Fitness Merit: Demonstrated education, training, experience, performance, knowledge, skills, ability, licenses, or certifications. Fitness: Physical and/or mental ability to do a job with or without …
Min Experience Code City of Austin MCS Meeting 01.26.2026 Dept. Multi Multi Multi AE Aviation Aviation Aviation Aviation Aviation Aviation Multi ARR ARR Auditor APH Multi Multi SMBR AFM Multi Muni Court APH APH Multi Muni Court Muni Court Parks Multi Multi APH AE Multi Multi AE Multi Multi AE Multi Multi Multi APD Fleet Title Accountant I Accounting Associate I Administrative Assistant AE Utility Chemist I Airport Access Control Tech Airport Agent Airport Facility Representative Guest Services Specialist Airport Operations Communications Specialist Airport Operations Specialist Architect ARR Associate ARR Operator Trainee Auditor I Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Budget Analyst I Building & Grounds Assistant Business Development Counselor I Carpenter Cashier I Clinical Case Manager Community Health Worker I Community Worker Contract Management Specialist I Court Clerk Assistant Court Clerk Assistant, Bilingual Culture & Arts Instructor Customer Service Representative Customer Svc Assoc Disease Surveillance Specialist Distribution Electrician Helper Drainage Operations & Maintenance Assistant Electrician I EMS/ADMS SCADA Analyst I Engineering Associate A Engineering Technician A Elec Power Grid (EPG) GIS Analyst I Equipment Technician I Facility Svcs Representative Financial Analyst I Fingerprint Technician Fleet Equipment Technician I Min Education Requirement Bachelor's with major course work in a field related to the job High school or equivalent; substitutions allowed High school or equivalent; substitutions allowed Bachelor's with major course work in a field related to the job, substitutions allowed High school or equivalent Associate Degree, substitutions allowed High school or equivalent; substitutions allowed High school or equivalent High school or equivalent Bachelor's with major course work in a field related to the job, substitutions allowed Bachelor's with major course work in a field related to the job None None Bachelor's with major course work in a field related to the job High school or equivalent Bachelor's with major course work in a field related to the job None Bachelor's with major course work in a field related to the job, substitutions allowed High school or equivalent; substitutions allowed High school or equivalent Master's Degree with major course work in a field related to the job High school or equivalent High school or equivalent Bachelor's with major course work in a field related to the job, substitutions allowed High school or equivalent High school or equivalent Associate Degree, substitutions allowed High school or equivalent High school or equivalent Bachelor's with major course work in a field related to the job High school or …
Municipal Civil Service Municipal Civil Service Commissioner Commissioner Term Limits & Appointments Term Limits & Appointments Austin Human Resources | January 26, 2026 Background Article IX of the City Charter, approved by voters in November 2012, established: A Municipal Civil Service Commission to have 5 commission members Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of three years. Ordinance No. 20130214-045 established this Commission as a Chapter 2-1 City Board Designates Audit and Finance Committee to review Commissioner applications and make recommendations for appointments (§ 2-1-164) Excludes current City employees from being appointed 2 Commissioner Term Limit Update Prior to February 27, 2025, Commissioners could serve a maximum of 2 full terms (6 years), or possibly a combination of partial terms and full terms to reach the eight-year maximum set in City Code Chapter (§ 2-1-22) “A board member who has served eight years on the same board is not eligible for reappointment to that board…” Council passed Ordinance No. 20250227-004 amending City Code Chapter 2-1 (City Boards) to clarify certain provisions. Certain boards and commissions have members who serve two-year or three-year terms, as provided by this chapter, city code, or state or federal law. a board member may serve no longer than four consecutive two-year terms or three consecutive three-year terms on the same board. 3 MCS Commission Appointment(s) Three appointments in 2026 Commissioner Ayo Akande resigns effective January 2, 2026. Chair Kevin Mullen’s 2nd term expires May 8, 2026 (seeking reappointment). Commissioner Melissa Rogers resigns effective June 1, 2026. 4 Commission Members & Terms Current Membership First Appointed Date(s) Reappointed Term Expires Kevin Mullen, Chair* Melissa Rogers VACANT Kavita Gupta, Vice Chair John Umphress 05/09/21 02/26/24 05/09/22 05/09/22 *Council designates the Commission Chair annually 05/09/23 05/09/24 05/09/25 05/09/25 05/08/26 05/08/27 05/08/27 05/08/28 05/08/22 5 Application Process Austin City Clerk’s Office will: Follow the standard Boards and Commissions application process Accept online applications using standard Boards and Commissions application form Accept resumes to document any additional relevant qualifications Ensure minimum qualifications identified in Charter are met Identify candidates with preferred background - experience with employment, human resources, labor relations and/or mediation Provide applications received to all Council Offices through standard process 6 Appointment Process The Council Audit and Finance Committee shall review applications received by the …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Municipal Civil Service Commission Recommendation Number: 0260126-007: Extension of a Waiver of the Municipal Civil Service Rules for the Contingent Hiring Pilot Date of Approval: January 26, 2026 Recommendation: The Municipal Civil Service Commission recommends extending the “Contingent Hiring Pilot” through December 2026, temporarily waiving the Municipal Civil Service rules to exempt specific positions from posting or application requirements. Description of Recommendation to Council: In October 2024, the Municipal Civil Service Commission recommended that Council approve a 12- month pilot to waive the posting requirement for specific positions for Citywide hiring. City Council approved a 12-month waiver on November 21, 2024 (Resolution No. 20241121-060). Austin Human Resources has requested an extension of the pilot program through December 2026. This recommendation from the Municipal Civil Service Commission is to extend the pilot through December 2026. A competitive process will continue to be conducted for these positions, and selections will be made on Merit and Fitness. The City will maintain the current list of titles previously approved by council, and add three titles from Municipal Court: Clinical Case Manager, Court Clerk Assistant, and Court Clerk Assistant, Bilingual. All candidates for vacant positions must complete an interview process where they are evaluated for Merit and Fitness and screened to identify if they meet minimum and preferred qualifications. If a contingent offer is made, candidates must complete any assessments required for the position, they must successfully pass any required background checks, and they must submit an application. Rationale: The pilot began in January 2025 and ended December 2025. Austin Human Resources developed guidelines stating all departments are eligible to participate if that have titles on the approved list. City-sponsored, community, or public events where contingent offers are provided are advertised to allow current employees and temporary employees the ability to participate. The pilot has been successful with 134 interviews conducted and 49 contingent offers made during various hiring events around the City, including the City’s Annual Career Expo held in April 2025. At the start of the pilot, there were 123 vacant positions from the approved title list, and at the beginning of November there were 103 vacancies – a 16 % improvement. Motioned By: Seconded By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: __________________________________
Municipal Civil Service Commission 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule January 12, 2026 January 26, 2026 July 13, 2026 July 27, 2026 February 9, 2026 August 10, 2026 February 23, 2026 August 24, 2026 March 9, 2026 September 14, 2026 March 23, 2026 September 28, 2026 April 13, 2026 April 27, 2026 May 11, 2026 June 8, 2026 June 22, 2026 October 12, 2026 October 26, 2026 November 9, 2026 December 14, 2026 2026 MCSC Meeting Schedule Approved on September 8, 2025
