Local business consultant and attorney R.W. “Hap” Ziegler has been named chair of the County of Santa Barbara’s Civil Service Commission.
Established by voter referendum in 1971, the commission oversees the county’s relationship with its employees and ensures that hiring occurs through a merit-based and competitive process. The commission is charged with making sure the county handles employee matters according to established civil service rules about recruitment, appointment, compensation, probationary periods, layoffs, disciplinary actions and complaint procedures.
As one of five board members, Ziegler chairs the monthly meetings to discuss employee relations, conduct investigations concerning personnel or conditions of employment, assist with hearings on appeals of disciplinary actions, and serve as an advisor to the Board of Supervisors.