BOARD MEETING DATE: February 1, 2002
AGENDA NO. 4

Establish Classification and Add and Delete Positions

SYNOPSIS: 

With the DEO/Public Affairs & Transportation assuming the primary duties of the Public Advisor function, staff recommends establishing the classification of Senior Public Affairs Manager to provide day-to-day support to the DEO with respect to the Public Advisor function, adding a position at this level in Public Affairs and Transportation, and deleting a vacant Designated Deputy (Public Advisor) position. To provide the appropriate level of secretarial support for the new manager position, staff recommends deleting a vacant Legal Secretary position and adding a Secretary position. Based on current fifth-step annual salaries, these actions would result in an approximately $9,513 annual cost savings.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, January 18, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Add the classification of Senior Public Affairs Manager to AQMD’s classification plan.
   
   
2. Adopt the attached classification specification.
   
   
3. Adopt the attached resolution amending the Salary Resolution to establish a salary range of $84,265 – 102,469 for Senior Public Affairs Manager class.
   
   
4. In Public Affairs & Transportation, delete a vacant Designated Deputy (Public Advisor) position and a vacant Legal Secretary position, and add a Senior Public Affairs Manager position and a Secretary position.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

A position devoted exclusively to the Public Advisor function has existed at the AQMD for some time. With the structural and functional changes that have occurred over time and with incorporation of most of the state-mandated Public Advisor functions into the Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs and Transportation job, Marilyn Solomon will serve in that role, under the title of Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs and Public Advisor. Staff believes the remaining Public Advisor duties would be more appropriately handled at a manager level. As a consequence, staff recommends deleting the vacant Designated Deputy (Public Advisor) position and establishing a new manager-level classification of Senior Public Affairs Manager at an annual salary range of $84,265 – 102,469. The new manager position would provide day-to-day support to the Deputy Executive Officer and Assistant Deputy Executive Officer with respect to Public Advisor activities and would help oversee small business assistance and community outreach operations.

To provide appropriate secretarial support for the Senior Public Affairs Manager, staff recommends deleting a vacant Legal Secretary position and adding a Secretary position.

Proposal

Establish the classification of Senior Public Affairs Manager, and, in Public Affairs & Transportation, add a Senior Public Affairs Manager position and a Secretary position and delete a Designated Deputy (Public Advisor) position and a vacant Legal Secretary position.

Resource Impacts

Based on current annual fifth-step salaries these actions would result in an approximately $9,513 annual cost savings.

Attachments

New classification specification (Senior Public Affairs Manager)
Resolution

TITLE: SENIOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER

DEFINITION: Under direction of the Deputy Executive Officer / Public Affairs and Public Advisor, or Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, the Senior Public Affairs Manager assists in the day-to-day administration of the community liaison functions of the Public Advisor; plans, organizes, and helps direct the District's community outreach and small business assistance programs through subordinate managers; and does other work as required.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS: This single-position class is characterized by the responsibility for assisting in a wide variety of community liaison activities for the Public Advisor, including communicating the mission, regulations, functions and special programs of AQMD in response to the issues and concerns raised by small businesses and other special interest communities served; and for developing and managing programs and projects related to assigned program areas within Public Affairs.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:
Assists the Deputy Executive Officer / Public Affairs and Public Advisor, and Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, in the administration and provision of a wide range of community liaison services to small businesses and communities comprised of highly diverse backgrounds, concerns and interests; and formulates recommendations on policy and program improvement and implementation strategies.

Acts as a liaison and representative of AQMD at community or other special interest meetings to communicate the District's mission, regulations and functions, and to address concerns raised; and meets with other governmental agencies, small business representatives, and environmental organizations, as needed, to represent the District.

Manages and helps oversee the day-to-day administration of community outreach and small business assistance programs; develops and implements environmental education programs; and serves as a primary point of contact for policy and operational guidance for functions and activities within these units.

Helps direct the development and management of program strategies, policies, and operations to promote public and small business understanding and acceptance of and participation in the District's rule development and Air Quality Management Plan processes and the proceedings of the District's Governing Board and Hearing Board.

Helps develop strategic plans and objectives, directs the establishment of objectives and goals for assigned program areas, and monitors and evaluates progress toward the accomplishment of those goals.

Provides consultation, advice, and assistance to District staff regarding the concerns and interests of small businesses and other special interest groups within the communities served, and makes recommendations for the improved effectiveness of related programs.

Assigns, reviews and evaluates the work of subordinates, and directs the completion of special assignments, projects, and reports, adjusting priorities as necessary.

Oversees the development, preparation and monitoring of assigned program budgets, and may develop and provide oversight of the budget for the Public Advisor's Office.

May act for the Deputy Executive Officer / Public Affairs and Public Advisor, or Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

EXPERIENCE: Three years of managerial experience in strategic planning, program development, public affairs and/or corporate relations programs, in a complex organizational environment that involved extensive outreach to highly diverse communities; OR three years of other relevant managerial experience that would demonstrate possession of the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities needed for this position as specified below. Experience in an environmental, regulatory or other public agency is desirable.

EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major emphasis in communications, public affairs, public or business administration, urban or environmental planning, or a related field.

SUBSTITUTION: A related master's degree may substitute for up to one year of the required managerial experience.

KNOWLEDGE OF: Strategic planning and analysis; organization and management practices and principles; public relations and communication techniques; community outreach concepts and strategies; current issues facing small businesses; the complex issues and special interests that exist in highly diverse communities; air quality and other environmental issues confronting large metropolitan regions; and supervision and management principles and practices.

ABILITY TO: Develop and implement strategic plans, policies, procedures and programs, and achieve desired results; develop communication processes, programs or other solutions that are responsive to small business, community and District interests; synthesize program results and community input, and advise District management on existing issues and perceived future needs; plan, organize, and direct professional and support staff engaged in a wide range of public outreach and communication functions; perform community liaison duties that include public speaking, representing the District in various forums, and effectively communicating complex regulatory and environmental information to a wide variety of non-technical audiences; communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively, both orally and in writing; exercise sound judgement, diplomacy and tact when dealing with highly sensitive or political issues; provide advice and recommendations on assigned programs to District management; and establish and maintain effective relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

                    A Resolution of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board amending AQMD’s Salary Resolution to establish the new classification of Senior Public Affairs Manager at a salary range of $84,265 – 102,469.

                    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 1, 2002, does hereby amend AQMD’s Salary Resolution to establish the new classifications of Senior Public Affairs Manager at a salary range of $84,265 – 102,469.

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