(a) All original appointments for employees in the classified service including those that result from transfers shall be tentative and subject to a probationary period of not less than six (6) months consecutive service, except for Police, Fire, and Communications, which shall be normally twelve (12) months, subject to meeting criteria for certification which may be accomplished following six (6) months of service and except for seasonal employees whose probationary period is established by the term of the first season of employment. Promotional appointment probationary period shall, for all employees in the classified service, be not less than six (6) months.

(b) In cases where the responsibilities of a position in the classified service are such that a longer period is necessary to demonstrate an employee’s qualifications, the probationary period may be extended; however, no probationary period shall be extended beyond twelve (12) months, or eighteen (18) months for Police, Fire, and Communications, or one (1) additional season for seasonal employees. The employee shall be notified in writing of any extension and the reasons therefor.

(c) Upon completion of the probationary period, employees in the classified service shall be considered as having satisfactorily demonstrated qualifications for the position, shall gain regular status, one (1) step in pay raise, and shall be so informed through his or her supervisor. The employee’s anniversary date shall be the first of the month in which the employee’s original probation ends. Employees who have gained regular status at the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section shall have their anniversary dates changed to the first of the month in which the employee’s present anniversary date falls.

(d) During the probationary period, a new employee hired in the classified service may be terminated at any time without advance notice, without cause, and without appeal.

(e) In the case of promotional appointments, the promoted employee may be demoted at any time during the probationary period without appeal; provided, that the probationary employee be reinstated in the class designation from which he or she was promoted, even though this necessitates the layoff of the employee occupying the position.