Social Services Union v. City & County of San Francisco

Social Services Union Local 535, SEIU, AFL-CIO, appeals from a judgment denying its petition for a writ of mandate against respondents City and County of San Francisco (City), Civil Service Commission (Commission) and Department of Social Services (Department), asserting a violation of the San Francisco City Charter (the Charter) and the civil service rules of the Commission, in the manner in which the Commission had conducted a civil service qualifying examination for several positions of City employment. We affirm.

Facts

The basic facts are not in dispute. On March 16, 1990, the City posted a notice of employment opportunity for the position of assistant director, social services classification number 2969. The notice announced a “combined promotive and entrance” examination for the position. There were eight vacancies to be filled in this particular classification position, some for social service programs and the rest for income maintenance programs.

According to the announcement, the duties of the advertised position included responsibility for the organization and administration of income maintenance or social services programs; planning, coordinating and…