The recruitment, selection and promotion of Career Service employees shall be competitive and shall be based upon merit and demonstrated ability. Career Service employees shall have such rights, working conditions and benefits as are specified by ordinance, Code and any Administrative Guidelines. County employees exempt from the Career Service under the provisions of 3.20.020 B.2., 3., 5., 7. and 8., and the appointees of elected officials under 3.20.020 B.1., are eligible for employment in the Career Service through the competitive promotional examination process. If the employee was hired through the meritorious process through the Human Resources Department, such employees shall be eligible, whether or not the appointment would be a promotion, but shall not be eligible for appointment to the Career Service through non-competitive placement processes such as transfer, demotion or layoff.