To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Heather Ruiz, Human Resources Director
Prepared By: Gabrielle Swanson, Management Analyst II
TITLE:
Title
Public Works Department Classification Specifications and Salary Ranges for positions in the Streets Crew
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution (1) Amending the City Classification Plan by Adopting the Classification Specifications and Salary Ranges for Napa City Employees’ Association positions in the Public Works Department; and (2) Amending the Budget Staffing Plan to add and delete positions in the Public Works Department to implement the amendment to the Classification Plan.
Body
DISCUSSION:
The Public Works Department (“Department”) requested that Human Resources conduct a study to review the duties performed by various classifications within the Division to determine the appropriateness of the classifications based on currently assigned duties and responsibilities, as well as the future needs of the Department. The study included NCEA positions in the Streets Crew. With the assistance of Koff & Associates, the classification structure and job descriptions were reviewed, and recommendations align with the needs of both the City’s unique street maintenance services as well as operational needs.
Koff & Associates conducted a study including data collection, factual analysis, and the development of recommendations. The data collection process included a thorough review and analysis of information provided by department staff and a review of the positions’ current classification specifications. The consultant also met with the department management and the results and recommendations were reviewed by Human Resources. The details of the recommendations and research in the report can be found below:
The classification specifications were updated to reflect the current work performed by Street Maintenance Worker I/II/III, Heavy Equipment Operator, and Street Field Supervisor classification incumbents. Many of the revisions proposed were done so in order to address the central concerns of this study including heavy equipment operation, and scope of work performed at each level within the series. Additional changes were recommended to further distinguish the various classifications within the series from one another.
The study resulted in the recommendation of the creation of one new classification. Research found that the role of skilled concrete finishing within public and private sector organizations, requires a higher-level skill set than that required to perform general street maintenance and construction duties at the journey level. Accordingly, it is recommended that a specialized Concrete Finisher classification with specific responsibility for performing skilled concrete finishing work. Based on external market data, as well as internal conversations with Public Works management, it was observed that skilled concrete finishing work requires greater levels of knowledge, skill, ability and experience than that required to perform other concrete tasks such as demolition, form setting, and backfilling. This allocation is recommended for reclassification to the advanced journey level specialist classification of Concrete Finisher.
The revised Street Maintenance Worker I/II class description clarifies the scope of work expected at the entry and journey levels, specifies the range of duties performed across the various crews/functional assignments, as well as specific pieces of equipment which are appropriate for incumbents to operate, at each level, once adequately trained. Additionally, minor revisions were recommended for the lead classification of Street Maintenance Worker III to clarify equipment operation and scope of work at this level. The essence of this classification remains an advanced journey-level crew lead. The Heavy Equipment Operator and Street Field Supervisor classifications tended to accurately reflect the work performed at these levels and minor revisions were suggested to distinguish the various levels within the classification series.
Koff & Associates completed a comprehensive compensation study in 2021 for Streets Crew classifications. Salary recommendations based on that compensation study were provided and will be made effective September 18, 2021. The City and NCEA agreed to the salary recommendations based on market data, which resulted in one-time salary adjustments for various classifications. The Streets Crew classifications included in the one-time salary adjustments and received salary increases varying percentages: Street Field Supervisor received 11.65%, Street Maintenance Worker III received 1.10%, Street Maintenance Worker II received 1.5%, and Concrete Finisher shall be established at 5% above the Street Maintenance Worker II. Based on these recent market adjustments that were made, there is no additional salary adjustment recommended at this time.
The affected employees’ bargaining representatives were provided an opportunity to review and provide input on the recommendations, and have accepted the recommendations for the attached classifications and salary ranges. The Civil Service Commission approved the recommendations as attached.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
No additional funding is required beyond that already allocated and approved in the City budget.
CEQA:
The Human Resources Director has determined that the Recommended Action described in this Agenda Report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Resolution
EX A - Proposed Classification Specifications for the Public Works Department - Streets Crew
NOTIFICATION:
Public Works Department, Bargaining Group, City Manager