Dual Employment Policy Costs Pittsburgh Paramedic His Career

A veteran Pittsburgh paramedic has resigned after nearly 29 years of service, just one year shy of qualifying for his pension. John Hill was suspended without pay on July 29 for allegedly violating the city's Home Rule Charter by holding two government positions simultaneously.

Hill worked full-time as a city paramedic with a base salary of $88,473.84 while also serving as an instructor at the county fire academy. The Home Rule Charter explicitly prohibits employees from holding compensated positions in multiple government entities, with exceptions only for military service and certain other posts. EMS Chief Amera Gilchrist identified the dual employment violation, leading to Hill's five-day suspension "pending termination."

Following his placement on leave, Hill resigned on Wednesday, forfeiting his nearly three-decade career and pension benefits.

This case highlights why job seekers need to carefully review employment policies before accepting positions, especially in government work. Before accepting any side employment, verify your employer's policies on outside work. When applying for jobs, ask directly about policies on secondary employment if you plan to work multiple jobs. For government positions, request and review any charter or policy documents that govern employment terms.

There's nothing inherently wrong with holding multiple jobs to maximize your income and skills, it's a smart financial move that many professionals pursue. It's just simply that government positions often have stricter rules about dual employment than private sector jobs.

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/longtime-pittsburgh-paramedic-suspended-pending-termination-resigns/