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Approve Classification and Compensation Recommendations

SYNOPSIS: 

Based on the results of classification and compensation studies that included review of internal pay relationships and external labor market comparisons, a salary adjustment of three percent is recommended for the Secretary classification and for the Senior Deputy District Counsel classification. The total cost for FY 1999-00 to implement these recommended changes is approximately $23,003.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, February 11, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

Amend the Salary Resolution to provide a three percent adjustment in the salary level for the Secretary classification, from salary range 32E ($29,910 - 37,045) to salary range 33G ($30,909 - 38,156), and a three percent adjustment in the salary level for the Senior Deputy District Counsel classification, from $80,205 - 97,531 to $82, 611 - 100,457.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

AQMD is, for the first time in over a decade, undertaking a systematic review of job classifications. During that time, the District underwent two major reorganizations and downsized significantly. From a total of 1126 positions in FY 1991-92, the current budget is down to 762 positions. Further, there have been program changes and new programs have been added. As a result, duties and responsibilities in specific areas have changed. The FY 1999-00 Budget includes funding to begin a systematic review of positions and classifications. The recommendations here continue the series of recommendations that are anticipated to result from that review.

Contract consultants from Comp Plus, a division of William Hamilton & Associates, have completed a review of positions in the Secretary class. The study involved review of incumbent-written descriptions of duties and responsibilities, as well as personal interviews with representative incumbents and supervisors and with management staff.

AQMD Secretaries provide, with considerable independence, a variety of responsible secretarial and office management and coordination support services for management staff. The consultant’s study report indicated duties fit the Secretary classification. However, Human Resources staff review of internal and external salary comparisons data indicate that an upward adjustment would bring the Secretary salary level into better alignment with respect to classifications in the Office Assistant series and with the Confidential classification of Administrative Secretary. It is, therefore, recommended that a three percent upward adjustment from salary grade 32E ($29,910 - $37,045) to salary grade 33G ($30,909 - 38,293) be made. This adjustment would maintain AQMD’s salary for the Secretary classification at an appropriate level in comparison with comparable public-sector agencies and would provide a more appropriate differential in comparison to other AQMD classifications.

AQMD’s Senior Deputy District Counsels are responsible for protecting AQMD’s interests in a wide variety of difficult and complex mission-critical civil and criminal case work, for litigating cases on behalf of AQMD, and for interpreting laws, rules, and regulations and providing legal opinions relating to AQMD operations and obligations. The salary range adjustment recommended for the Senior Deputy District Counsel class, from $80,205 - 97,531 to $82, 611 - 100,457, which represents an increase of three percent, is based on labor market data that show AQMD’s salaries to be below the average of relevant comparison agencies. The adjustment recommended here would bring AQMD attorney salaries closer to, but still less than, the average of the four counties in the District and would still maintain an appropriate internal salary structure within the agency.

Proposal

It is recommended that the Board approve an adjustment in the salary level for the Secretary classification from salary grade 32E ($29,910 - $37,045) to salary grade 33G ($30,909 - 38,293) and an adjustment in the Senior Deputy District Counsel salary level from a salary range of $80,205 - 97,531 to a salary range of $82, 611 - 100,457.

Resource Impacts

The salary adjustment recommended for the Secretary classification would affect twenty-seven budgeted Secretary positions, for a total annual cost increase of approximately $33,696, and a FY 1999-00 cost of approximately $12,312. The annual fifth-step cost of the adjustment to the Senior Deputy District Counsel salary, which would apply to the ten positions currently budgeted at that level, is approximately $29,260. The cost for the remainder of the current fiscal year is approximately $10,691.

The cost for the current fiscal year is approximately $23,003. Because of salary savings from vacant budgeted positions, sufficient funds exist within the approved budget to cover this cost increase.

Attachment

Resolution

                A Resolution of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board amending AQMD’s Salary Resolution to increase the salary for the Secretary class from salary range 32E ($29,910 - 37,045) to salary range 33G ($30,909 - 38,156) and to increase the salary for the Senior Deputy District Counsel class from a range of $80,205 - 97,531 to a range of $82, 611 - 100,457.

                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 February 18, 2000, does hereby amend AQMD’s Salary Resolution to increase the salary for the Secretary class from salary range 32E ($29,910 - 37,045) to salary range 33G ($30,909 - 38,156) and to increase the salary for the Senior Deputy District Counsel class from a range of $80,205 - 97,531 to a range of $82, 611 - 100,457.

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