63.2463.24 Commission to make rules. The commissioners shall make such rules adapted to carry out the purposes of ss. 63.18 to 63.53 and not inconsistent with ss. 63.18 to 63.53, as in their judgment shall be adapted to secure the best service for the city in each department affected by ss. 63.18 to 63.53, and as shall tend to promote expedition and speed the elimination of all unnecessary formalities in making appointments. All rules so made shall be subject to the approval of the mayor of the city, and they may with like approval be from time to time altered or rescinded by the commissioners. If the mayor takes no action on a rule or an amendment to the rules, submitted to the mayor, within 10 days from the date of its submission, then the rule or amendment to the rules shall become effective as though approved by the mayor. The commissioners shall supervise the administration of rules so established.

63.2563.25 Rules, what to require.

63.25(1)(d)(d) For a period of probation before an appointment or employment is made permanent. During or at the end of such probationary period the appointment may be terminated by the commissioners after investigation, or the appointing officer or board may terminate same, but in case of termination by the appointing officer or board the commission may, under its general investigative powers, review the circumstances and take such action as may in its judgment seem desirable for the best interests of the service. Nothing herein shall be construed to confer on any officer or employee a right of appeal as provided in s. 63.43 during or at the end of the probationary period.

63.2663.26 Appointments to conform to rules. From and after the adoption of such rules, all appointments to subordinate offices, positions and employments in the several departments of the service of such city, which are subject to such rules, shall be made by the respective heads of such departments under and in conformity with the provisions of such rules.

63.2763.27 Rules not applicable to certain officers. Officers who are elected by the people, or who by the statutes are required to be elected by the city council, inspectors and clerks of election, one deputy in each department whose office was created and exists by reason of statute, the members of the board of school directors, persons enumerated in s. 63.53 (2), heads of principal departments of the city, all members of the law, fire and police departments, permanent or temporary technical advisers and experts employed by the board of assessment under s. 32.52 (4), one private secretary of the mayor, the appointees of the mayor under s. 62.51 and any other officers, clerks or employees in the service of the city whose positions, in the judgment of the city service commissioners, cannot for the time being be subjected, with advantage to the public service, to the general rules prepared under this chapter shall not be affected as to their election, selection or appointment by rules made by the commissioners.

63.2863.28 Civil service to include stenographic and clerical employees in the office of the city attorney. The expression “members of the law, fire and police departments” as used in s. 63.27 and as used in any charter ordinance in any city of the first class which may supersede, amend, extend or modify said section for said city, shall be held to include all employees of the law department of such city who are members of the bar engaged in legal duties but shall not be held to include clerks, stenographers, typists or other employees of the law department who are not members of the bar.

63.2963.29 Civil service for attorneys in office of city attorney.

63.3063.30 Secretary; selection, duties. The board of city service commissioners shall select a secretary of the board, who shall be its chief executive and administrative officer and who shall, subject to its direction and control, administer the city civil service law and rules and the personnel statutes and ordinances governing city service employment, direct and coordinate the work and staff of the board, act as liaison officer between the board and the several departments, bureaus, boards and commissions and perform such other duties as the board may direct.

63.3163.31 Funds for board. The common council of any city of the first class shall hereafter provide such funds for the annual support and operation of the board of city service commissioners as in its judgment may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out all of its functions, duties and responsibilities assigned to it by law or by the common council. The procedure applicable to appropriations and disbursements of such board shall be determined as provided in ch. 65.

63.3263.32 Applicants to be examined; character of examinations. All applicants for offices, places or employments in the civil service of such city, except those mentioned in s. 63.27, shall be residents of this state before their application for examination, and shall be subject to examination under and in accordance with the rules so made by said commissioners; except that for technical and professional services the commission may open the examination to residents of other states who are citizens of the United States. Such examinations, including minimum training and experience requirements, shall be job-related in compliance with appropriate validation standards and may include tests of physical qualifications, and, when appropriate, of manual skill. All relevant experience, whether paid or unpaid, shall satisfy experience requirements. No otherwise qualified blind persons shall be discriminated against in examination, reexamination, appointment, reappointment, promotion or demotion unless eyesight is absolutely indispensable for the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the position. No question in any examination shall relate to political or religious opinions or affiliations, and no appointment or selection to an office or for employment within the scope of the rules established as aforesaid shall be in any manner affected or influenced by such opinions or affiliations. All such applicants may be examined by a competent physician as to the soundness of their health for the work to be performed. Upon the request of an applicant or an eligible for a civil service position who is blind, the department of health services, shall obtain from the city civil service commission a detailed description of all duties entailed by such position and shall investigate the necessity for eyesight in the fulfillment of the duties of any position, and shall determine and report its findings to the civil service commission, as to the physical ability of the applicant, or eligible, to perform the duties of such position. Such findings shall be conclusive as to the physical qualifications of any applicant or eligible so examined.

63.3363.33 Examinations reasonable. The examinations held under ss. 63.18 to 63.53 shall consist of any reasonable and impartial method of ascertaining the fitness or relative merit of candidates. To ensure competitive equality between the blind and persons not so handicapped in connection with the taking of civil service examinations, the applicant may request from the civil service commission the furnishing of an amanuensis or a reader when necessary, and the furnishing of a place to take the examination, or other similar prerequisites to ensure equality in the examination.