Cal. Educ. Code § 45286 — Merit System

Whenever the appointing power shall require the appointment of a person to a position, the duration of which is not to exceed six months, or, in case of an appointment in lieu of an absent employee, is not to exceed the authorized absence of said employee, the appointing power shall submit a request in which the probable duration of the appointment is stated. Eligibles shall be certified in accordance with their position on the appropriate employment list and their willingness to accept appointment to such position as limited-term employees. Limited-term employees shall be subject to conditions affecting status and tenure during and after employment that the commission may by rule determine. Notwithstanding these limitations on the duration of these positions, the commission may, based on a declaration of an emergency by the President of the United States or the Governor, authorize an extension that may not exceed one year. The duties of the extended position must be related to the emergency.