(a) Duties.--The civil service board shall have the power and its duty shall be to prepare and adopt rules and regulations, subject to approval by council, which, in the board's discretion, secure and maintain the best service for the public for the selection, appointment and promotion of individuals who are qualified to perform the work which is the subject of the civil service examination as provided in this chapter and who are to be employed, appointed or promoted by the city. The rules and regulations adopted by the board shall provide for ascertaining and determining, so far as possible, the knowledge, skills, aptitude, mental and physical abilities, experience, education and character of all applicants as these criteria would reasonably apply to the respective positions. The rules and regulations shall also provide for examinations upon any and all subjects deemed proper or necessary by the board for the purpose of determining the qualifications of applicants for the respective positions sought and for which application is made.

(b) Subjects.--The civil service board shall, in accordance with this part, adopt rules and regulations concerning the following matters: