Wisconsin Administrative Code Department of Administration-Division of Personnel Management; Merit Recruitment
Here’s a breakdown of the Wisconsin Administrative Code under the Department of Administration – Division of Personnel Management, specifically the Merit Recruitment (ER‑MRS) chapters:
⚖️ Scope & Authority
ER‑MRS is the administrative rules governing classified service employment in Wisconsin — including recruitment, selection, appointments, promotions, transfers, layoffs, and restoration. It implements the state's merit-based hiring and competition policies, in alignment with Wisconsin Statutes § 230 et seq. (regulations.justia.com, dpm.wi.gov).
Bureau of Merit, Recruitment & Selection
Within DPM, this Bureau (BMRS) oversees execution of ER‑MRS rules.
Responsibilities include:
Interpreting statutes & code
Setting procedures for hiring actions (original hires, promotions, transfers, demotions, layoffs, restoration)
Managing probation, temporary workforce, and the classified service Code of Ethics
Providing training, assessment tools, analytics, diversity programs, and exam support
Administering veteran/minority preference, certification processes, and statewide job registers (dpm.wi.gov).
Key ER‑MRS Chapters & Rules
Chapter 6 – Recruitment & Selection: Defines process, notice & appeal rights, exam confidentiality, feedback for examinees, and security measures (casetext.com).
Chapter 8 – Assessment (Corrections & Entry-Professional): Agencies must design assessment plans that are valid, job-related, and promote affirmative action; the BMRS director’s approval is required (law.cornell.edu).
Chapter 12 – Certification & Appointment: Covers how candidate registers are certified and used to make appointments (not covered in depth above).
Chapter 13 – Probationary Periods: Specifies probation terms for new or promoted employees.
Chapter 14 – Promotion: Distinguishes:
Intra-agency promotions: require probation, with reversion rights to previous position/pay if unsuccessful
Inter-agency promotions: also require probation; dismissal during probation is without appeal (regulations.justia.com, law.cornell.edu).
Chapter 15 – Transfer: Governs employee transfers (details not shown above).
Chapter 16 – Reinstatement & Restoration: Defines restoration conditions, including for military leave, layoffs, service in unclassified status, leaves, etc. It also confirms that approved leaves don’t break continuous service or sick leave accrual (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, law.cornell.edu).
Chapter 22 – Layoff Procedures: Prescribes layoff protocols (not detailed here).
Merit & Competition Principles
The system emphasizes merit and civil service competition, ensuring fairness, openness, and standards in selection. Standardized assessments, accessible recruitment, and transparency of results (within confidentiality rules) are core (dpm.wi.gov).
🔍 Summary Table
Area
Key Points
Authority
ER‑MRS chapters set legal/regulatory framework
BMRS Role
Implements & interprets rules; manages exams, analytics, diversity
Recruitment & Selection
Structured assessment, registers, candidate feedback
Promotion
Probation required; different rights intra- vs inter-agency
Restoration
Rights established for military, leaves, layoffs, unclassified service
Merit Principles
Fair competition, transparency, confidentiality protocols
📝 Want More?
You can explore ER‑MRS Chapters 1–34 via the [Justia/LLI “ER‑MRS” index] (regulations.justia.com).
The Human Resources Handbook (Chapter 192) supplements ER‑MRS with exam security, confidentiality, exam administration procedures, and public disclosure rules (dpm.wi.gov).
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