BOARD MEETING DATE: October 5, 2007
AGENDA NO. 6

PROPOSAL:

Revise Class and Add and Delete Positions in FY 2007-08 Budget

SYNOPSIS:

To enhance efficiency and meet current program needs, this action is to revise the class of Senior Meteorologist and to add a position at this level in Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources and to delete an Air Quality Specialist position. This action is also to add an Administrative Secretary in Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources for the new Director of Strategic Initiatives. The net annual top-step salary and benefits cost of these changes is approximately $108,435, and the FY 2007-08 budgetary impact is approximately $54,218.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, September 14, 2007, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Adopt the attached revised class specification.
2. Adopt the attached Resolution amending the Salary Resolution to establish a salary range of $80,256.80 – $99,418.28 for the revised class.
3. Adopt the recommendations shown in Exhibit A.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The existing class of Senior Meteorologist includes supervisory responsibility for both meteorological work and air quality modeling. Since there is currently a program supervisor over the unit responsible for supervising modeling activities, the Senior Meteorologist class and salary need to be revised.

Additionally, with addition in the FY 2007-08 Budget of a new Designated Deputy position, Director of Strategic Initiatives, an appropriate level secretary for the position is needed.

Proposal

With deletion of a significant responsibility, i.e., supervision of air quality modeling activities, from the Senior Meteorologist class, staff recommends the class specification be revised to reflect the change in duties and that the salary range be reduced proportionately from a top step of $111,770 to $99,418. This proposal is also to add a Senior Meteorologist position in Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources and to delete an Air Quality Specialist, as shown in Exhibit A. Also shown in Exhibit A is the addition of an Administrative Secretary in Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources, which, in accordance with AQMD’s classification plan, is the appropriate level of secretarial support for the new Director of Strategic Initiatives.

Resource Impacts

Based on current Board-approved top-step salaries and benefits, the annual cost of these changes is approximately $108,435, and the budget impact for the remainder of FY 2007-08 is approximately $54,218. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 2007-08 Budget to cover this fiscal year budget impact.

Attachments
Attachment A)     Resolution
Attachment B)     Revised Class Specification (Senior Meteorologist)
Exhibit A)            Recommendation to Add & Delete Positions

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ATTACHMENT A

RESOLUTION NO. 07-

A Resolution of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board amending AQMD’s Salary Resolution to establish a salary range of $80,256.80 – $99,418.28 for the revised classification of Senior Meteorologist.

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 October 5, 2007, does hereby amend AQMD’s Salary Resolution to establish the revised classification of Senior Meteorologist at a salary range of $80,256.80 – $99,418.28.

________________________________ _________________________________
Date                                                          Clerk of the Board

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ATTACHMENT B

Revised Class Specification

TITLE: SENIOR METEOROLOGIST Approved:

DEFINITION:

Under general direction, is responsible for meteorological activities, including air quality forecasting, meteorological monitoring systems, and air quality evaluation; supervises professional staff involved in meteorological work, including air quality forecasting, and in preparation of air quality statistics and data analysis for State and federal reports; and does other related work as required.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:

This single-position class is characterized by the responsibility to supervise, review, analyze, and make improvements to meteorological activities that relate to air quality control and air quality forecasting systems and to data analysis for State and federal reports, including identification of data to exclude due to exceptional air quality events. This class is further characterized by the responsibility to conduct the most difficult and complex meteorological analyses.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Plans, organizes, supervises, and participates in the preparation of forecasts of air quality and weather trends for Southern California and reviews forecasts for accuracy, providing guidance on difficult forecasting problems.

Plans, organizes, supervises, and participates in the preparation of air quality statistics and data analysis for State and federal reports.

Develops air quality forecasting methods and reviews the accuracy of forecasting systems and makes improvements as necessary.

Develops, modifies, and employs a variety of methods and electronic instrumentation techniques to measure and analyze surface and upper-air meteorological information; and surveys literature and other resources to keep abreast of new methods or technologies that might be used or adapted for specialized needs.

Evaluates, develops, and documents procedures for the collection, storage, and reporting of meteorological data, including quality assurance, and makes recommendations on improvements in these procedures.

Participates as a member of project teams, as needed, to provide expertise on air quality meteorological matters; and acts as project officer for contracts for air quality studies and collection and processing of meteorological data and air quality statistics.

Conducts special studies and projects, including rule development, as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or other directly related field.

TITLE: SENIOR METEOROLOGIST

EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience as a Meteorologist or three years of journey-level professional analytical experience that would demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.

SUBSTITUTION: A master's degree from an accredited college or university in meteorology, atmospheric science, or other directly related field may substitute for up to six months of the required experience.

KNOWLEDGE OF: Theories and principles of meteorology and of air quality forecasting methods and models; principles and methods of statistical analysis as applied to meteorological and air quality data analysis and the analysis of air quality problems; PC software applications commonly used in the field of meteorology and in the general business environment of the District; relevant professional research literature and resources; professional report writing; and the principles and practices of supervision.

SKILL OR ABILITY TO: Use and develop air quality forecasting methods and models for the analysis of air quality problems; develop, modify, and employ a variety of analytical methods and electronic instrumentation techniques in analyzing meteorological information; maintain accurate and complete records and data and prepare reports detailing methods and results; survey literature and other resources for up-to-date information that might be used or adapted for specialized needs; proficiently use PC software applications common to the field and to the general business environment of the District; read, understand, and follow verbal and written directions; supervise professional employees involved in complex meteorological and air quality statistical analysis work; accomplish organizational objectives by directing the work of others; develop or direct the development of innovative solutions to complex technical problems arising from meteorological and air quality data analysis activities; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including communicating complex scientific information to non-technical staff and the public; and establish and maintain effective relationships with all those contacted in the course of work.

LICENSE: Possession of a valid California Class "C" Driver's License and a good driving record may be required.

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EXHIBIT A

RECOMMENDATION TO ADD & DELETE POSITIONS

                                                    Approximate AQMD FY 2007-08 Impact:  $54,218

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