Davenport approves multiple certification lists and updates fire captain roster after voluntary demotion request

Davenport City commissioners voted to update the fire captain certification list and approved a package of certified hiring lists for positions across public works and public safety during their meeting.

A staff member told commissioners that a fire department employee had requested a voluntary demotion from assistant chief to captain and asked that the employee's name be added back to the fire captain certification list. The staff member said the update is "purely to add this person's name back to the list" and that it would be up to the fire chief to select from that certified roster when a vacancy occurs. A commissioner moved to update the fire captain certification list and the motion carried on a voice vote.

Staff then reviewed results for multiple certification processes that the commission approved as a group. For a code enforcement officer opening in Development & Neighborhood Services (30/70 written/interview weighting), staff reported 62 applicants, 50 qualified for the written exam, and five candidates passed all steps and were placed on the certified list. For a forestry technician position (37B split), staff said 28 applied, eight qualified for the written exam and six ultimately were certified (five were internal employees already cleared by background). For a fleet mechanic opening (written exam weighted 100%), eight applied, five were invited to the written exam and two passed all requirements and were certified.

On the promotional Natural Resources Heavy Equipment Operator position (practical 70%, written 30%), staff said all five practical candidates passed but three failed the subsequent written exam, leaving two candidates on the certified list. Kevin, who oversees sewers and stormwater conveyance maintenance, described the division's responsibilities—city-owned basins, stream-bank stabilization, snowplowing and emergency flood response—and clarified the crew maintains only city-owned conveyance infrastructure.

Staff also summarized the fire district chief promotional process (third-ranking position in the fire department): of 13 applicants, one external candidate was disqualified by minimum-qualification rules, 12 internal candidates were invited to the practical; five passed the practical and then the interview and were placed on the certified list.

Commissioners asked whether the city had historically hired from outside for promotional posts; staff said hiring from outside generally occurred only for the fire chief position and noted promotional exams test for duties at the higher rank rather than the candidates' current assignments. After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the full set of certification lists as presented; the motion carried by voice vote. The commission then adjourned; the next meeting was set for May 13.

The votes were procedural approvals of certification rosters and did not itself fill any vacancy; appointment decisions remain with departmental chiefs when hiring opportunities arise.