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PROPOSAL

Approve Consultant Classification and Salary Recommendations and Add and Delete Positions in Information Management

SYNOPSIS:

Based on results of consultant-conducted classification studies of positions in Stationary Source Compliance, Human Resources staff recommends increasing salary levels for the classes of Engineering Technician and Assistant Air Quality Specialist and reclassifying one Engineering Technician position and three Air Quality Inspector II positions. Further, due to changing staffing needs in Information Management, staff recommends that one Air Quality Engineer II position and one Air Quality Specialist position be deleted and two System Analyst positions be added.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative Committee, December 19, 1997, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Amend AQMD’s Salary Resolution and Memoranda of Understanding with Teamsters Local 911 and San Bernardino Public Employees Association to increase the salary for the Engineering Technician class approximately 14.1%, from range 40D ($35,371-43,818) to 45B ($40,367-50,007), and to increase the salary for the Assistant Air Quality Specialist class approximately 18.1%, from range 43D ($38,428-47,605) to 49E ($45,396-56,238).

2. Adopt the reclassification recommendations reflected in Exhibit A.

3. Delete one Air Quality Engineer II position and one Air Quality Specialist position in Information Management and add two Systems Analyst positions.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer

Background

During labor contract negotiations with Teamsters Local 911, management agreed to conduct classification studies of the eight positions in the Engineering Technician class and of three Air Quality Inspector II positions, all in the Technical and Enforcement Bargaining Unit. The study was conducted by contract consultant Comp Plus, Inc., and study recommendations were thoroughly discussed with Teamsters representatives and, as they affected the Professional Unit, with representatives of the San Bernardino Public Employees Association.

The study found the complexity of work performed by seven of the employees in Engineering Technician positions had increased over time, and, in recognition of this, it is recommended the salary level for this class be increased by approximately 14.1%, from an annual fifth-step salary of $43,818 to $50,007.

The study also found one Engineering Technician position to be assigned work involving analysis, research, and report writing, duties and responsibilities more appropriately classified within the Air Quality Specialist series. It is recommended this position be reclassified, as indicated in Attachment A, to the journey-level class within the series, Air Quality Specialist, and that the current incumbent underfill the position at the Assistant Air Quality Specialist level for a one-year period until she meets the minimum requirements for the higher-level appointment.

Upon review and discussion with union representatives, it was determined that the salary for the Assistant Air Quality Specialist class should be increased to achieve parity between this class and the Assistant Air Quality Engineer class. Given the current salary parity between the journey-level classes of Air Quality Specialist and Air Quality Engineer II, it is felt that the assistant levels for these two classes should also be at parity with respect to salary. There are currently no Assistant Air Quality Specialist positions, so the increase for the class would affect only the incumbent whose position is being recommended for reclassification.

With respect to the three Air Quality Inspector II positions, the study found duties and responsibilities being assigned to two of the positions to be more appropriately classified as Air Quality Inspector III, and that the third, which has been assigned lead responsibilities on more complex special projects, to be more appropriately classified as Air Quality Specialist.

With respect to positions in Information Management, changes in staffing needs and priorities make it more efficient to delete two positions, one an Air Quality Engineer II and one an Air Quality Specialist, both currently vacant, and to replace those positions with two Systems Analyst positions.

Proposal

Reclassification recommendations are summarized in Exhibit A. The attached Resolution summarizes the recommended salary allocation changes. Since the study found all affected incumbents of positions being recommended for reclassification have been performing at these higher levels for a significant period of time, it is requested these incumbents be reclassified along with their positions. Also, since consensus on classification study recommendations discussed here was reached with Teamsters Local 911 on November 7, 1997, management requests the reclassifications and new salary allocations become effective that date.

The change in position allocations in Information Management would become effective January 12, 1998, the beginning of the first pay period following Board approval.

Resource Impacts

At current Board-approved salary levels, the cost for the remainder of the current fiscal year for the change in the Engineering Technician salary allocation, which would affect seven positions, would be approximately $28,326. The annual cost would be approximately $43,323. Fiscal year and annual costs of recommended reclassifications are provided in the attached Exhibit A. The fiscal year cost of the position allocation changes in Information Management would be approximately $7,895, and the annual cost would be approximately $20,526. The total fiscal year salary and benefit cost of all changes recommended here would be approximately $52, 932, and the total annual cost would be approximately $89,407. Sufficient funds exist within the approved budget to accommodate this increase.

Attachments

Exhibit A - Recommendation to Reclassify Positions Resolution

EXHIBIT A
RECOMMENDATION TO RECLASSIFY POSITIONS

Annual Salary Cost	$ 25,558
Annual Benefit Cost	$ 0
FY 1997 - 98 Impact	$ 16,711

NOTES:

(1) Add the class to AQMD’s Classification Plan
(2) Amend AQMD’s Salary Resolution to establish the salary of the class
(3) Delete the existing class and salary from AQMD’s Classification Plan
(4) Allocate position(s) to the recommended class
(5) Add position(s) of the recommended class to the designated organizational unit
(6) Adopt the class specification as part of AQMD’s Classification Plan

A Resolution of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board amending the District Salary Resolution and Memoranda of Understanding with Teamsters Local 911 and San Bernardino Public Employees Association to increase the salary for the Engineering Technician class from range 40D to 45B and to increase the salary for the Assistant Air Quality Specialist class from range 43D to 49E.

WHEREAS, the Governing Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District exercises its duty to review and determine appropriate wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment provided to employees.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, State of California, in regular session assembled on January 9, 1998, does hereby amend AQMD’s Salary Resolution and Memoranda of Understanding with Teamsters Local 911 and San Bernardino Public Employees Association to increase salaries for Engineering Technician from range 40D ($35,371-43,818) to 45B ($40,367-50,007) and to increase the salary for the Assistant Air Quality Specialist class from range 43D ($38,428 - 47,605) to 49E ($45,396-56,238).

Date

Clerk of the Boards

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