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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11d - Principal Civil Engineer, City Engineer and Building Official Salary AdjustmentsPrincipal Civil Engineer, City Engineer & Building Official Salary Adjustments January 16, 2024 Page 1 of 3 DATE: January 16, 2024 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Paul Cranmer, Public Works Services Director By: Carmen Masud, Deputy Public Works Director SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7542 AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 7383 ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION AND RELATED BENEFITS FOR CITY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND UNREPRESENTED CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES FOR JULY 1, 2021, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024 (PRINCIPAL CIVIL ENGINEER, CITY ENGINEER, AND BUILDING OFFICIAL) CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Adopt SUMMARY Due to the challenge of recruiting a qualified candidate for the Principal Civil Engineer in the Public Works Services Department (“PWSD”), a salary survey was conducted to help gain a comprehensive understanding of this position and ensure that it is competitive amongst similar agencies. It is recommended that the City Council increase the salary for the Principal Civil Engineer position as well as for the City Engineer and Building Official positions, in order to avoid compaction between those three responsibilities, and adopt Resolution No. 7542 amending Resolution No. 7383 establishing compensation and related benefits for City Council, Executive Management, Management, and Unrepresented Confidential Employees for July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024 (Principal Civil Engineer, City Engineer, and Building Official). BACKGROUND The PWSD has been recruiting for a Principal Civil Engineer since May 2022. The first recruitment ran for six months before hiring a candidate who left the City shortly after. The second recruitment ran for five additional months to no avail. The challenge in recruiting and retaining a qualified candidate prompted a salary survey and review of the Principal Civil Engineer classification specification. As a result of the completed evaluation, minor modifications to the classification specification have been made and approved by the City Manager. Furthermore, the survey showed that the current compensation range is below comparable cities in the area, which is likely affecting the candidate pool. The Principal Civil Engineer is a highly specialized position, and with many private engineering companies and cities offering a significantly higher salary for such a position, amending the salary range should help attract top talent for the City and fill a vital role in the PWSD. Principal Civil Engineer, City Engineer & Building Official Salary Adjustments January 16, 2024 Page 2 of 3 DISCUSSION When completing the salary survey for the Principal Civil Engineer, 11 municipalities were surveyed. The City of Arcadia’s top step for Principal Civil Engineer is under the average by 8% ($11,660 annually). For this reason, it is recommended to increase the Salary Range from 79M to 83M. At 83M, the top step will be slightly above average by 1.77% ($2,643.81 annually). In consideration of the minimum qualifications of the classification, the technical specialization of the position, the complex nature of the duties as well as the supervisory responsibilities, it is appropriate to revise the salary range for this position. Range 83M is approximately 9.28% more than the existing salary range ($14,767 annually). This proposed step for the Principal Civil Engineer roughly yields a 5% difference between the salary ranges of the City Engineer and Building Official. Maintaining only a 5% difference between these classifications could create some challenges, given that the responsibilities of the City Engineer and the Building Official are more complex, including the requirement of the City Engineer to legally sign-off on the work of the Principal Civil Engineer. To prevent compaction between positions, it is recommended that the City Engineer and the Building Official positions be raised from Salary Range 85M to 86M. This transition can be accomplished without creating significant budgetary impacts and will provide a potential growth opportunity between two of the ranges, should a Principal Civil Engineer incumbent wish to advance to the City Engineer role in the future. It should be noted that during the previous salary negotiations, the City Council approved market-based increases to many technical engineering positions. The increases were authorized in response to unusual turnover in these roles and the salaries being uncompetitive, especially when compared to the private sector. These adjustments were not extended to the Principal Civil Engineer, City Engineer, or Building Official positions, which are all in the Unrepresented Management classifications. This omission has led to the issues identified with recruiting and maintaining the Principal Civil Engineer position over the past few years. By adjusting the salary ranges, the City will better compete for qualified candidates, retain existing talent, and provide a path for upward mobility within the organization. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 7542 amending Resolution No. 7383 establishing compensation and related benefits for City Council, Executive Management, Management, and Unrepresented Confidential Employees for July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024 (Principal Civil Engineer, City Engineer, and Building Official). ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. As such, this matter is exempt under CEQA. Principal Civil Engineer, City Engineer & Building Official Salary Adjustments January 16, 2024 Page 3 of 3 FISCAL IMPACT The proposed change to the existing salary range for Principal Civil Engineer is approximately 9.28% more than the existing salary range ($14,767 annually). Likewise, the increase in salary range for the City Engineer and the Building Official is approximately 2.3% more than the existing salary range ($5,108 annually, each). At the top step, these three changes would have a total annual budget impact of $24,983. No additional funding is requested at this time; these increases will largely take effect in the next Fiscal Year and beyond, with the addition of substantial salary savings from the extended vacancy in the Principal Civil Engineer position. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project and is, therefore, exempt under, the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and adopt Resolution No. 7542 amending Resolution No. 7383 establishing compensation and related benefits for City Council, Executive Management, Management, and Unrepresented Confidential Employees for July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024 (Principal Civil Engineer, City Engineer, Building Official). Attachments: Resolution No. 7542 Revised classification specification for Principal Civil Engineer 416 CITY OF ARCADIA PRINCIPAL CIVIL ENGINEER DEFINITION Under general direction, to direct, manage, supervise and coordinate the Engineering Section of the Public Works Services Department, to perform highly complex and professional engineering administration duties in water, sewer, street, storm drain, street lighting, and parks improvement projects; to plan, direct, and supervise a variety of engineering projects and programs; and to conceptualize, develop, design, and implement all phases of difficult design and engineering research projects. Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff. EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES Direct preparation and execution of Capital Improvement Projects and budgets. Direct the work of others managing major projects involving preparation of designs, specifications, plans, estimates and reports involved in the construction and operation of a wide variety of waterworks systems, sewer systems, streets, street lighting and parks projects. Supervise preparation of reports required by Federal, State, and County agencies; research new and existing sources of County, State, and Federal Funds and prepare applications; oversee the preparation and revision of maps, storage, and filing of various records and project files. Attend meetings and make presentations to City committees and commissions. Represent the section and/or department in interagency meetings and negotiations. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, vendors, outside agencies, the public, and City staff; represent the City at outside functions. Assume responsibility for ensuring the duties of the section are performed in a safe and efficient manner. Plan, organize, direct, and review the work of professional and para-professional engineering teams in the preparation of engineering plans, specifications, designs, and cost estimates; review and set requirements for various types of development projects, easements and legal descriptions, plan checks, construction inspections, and materials testing for a wide variety of construction and maintenance projects. Oversee other project managers or project engineers and serve as project manager on capital improvement projects; prepare descriptions; define job scope; prepare cost estimates and projections; develop schedules, procedures, and timelines; prepare right of way plans, acquisition 417 and environmental documents and reports; review and approve purchases; and confer with other professional and technical staff. Coordinate engineering activities with other City departments, divisions, outside agencies, contractors, and consultants. Develop and monitor systems and procedures for contract administration to ensure compliance with technical and legal requirements; prepare bid documents; review proposals; participate in the selection of consultants and contractors; prepare, review, and approve contract documents, reports, plans and specifications; estimate construction costs and time requirements; provide engineering services and consultation to a variety of field and office personnel; oversee the construction inspection and survey of various types of maintenance and construction projects; review and approve progress payments and change orders; and review contract close out. Perform advanced engineering work, contract administration, highly specialized design, research, analysis, and economic evaluations; prepare and submit a variety of documents and reports including agenda and project reports; prepare complex grant applications for project funding from various governmental agencies; maintain administrative and engineering records. Develop operational and maintenance schedules; participate in the development of Master Plans for the City’s infrastructure. Participate in the development and administration of the Capital Improvement Program and Operating division budgets; monitor and ensure cost containment within project and section constraints; and formulate cash flow projections. Select, train, motivate, supervise, and evaluate assigned engineering personnel; provide or coordinate staff training and professional development programs; and implement discipline procedures. Review plans prepared by developers, consultants, and utility companies. Research new materials and techniques; and monitor current developments in engineering. Coordinate water, sewer, street lighting, park, and street maintenance engineering projects with other City departments and outside agencies. Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive engineering inquiries and complaints. May serve as an expert witness or a subject matter expert on litigation cases related to civil engineering matters. OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned. 418 JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Current principles and practices of organization, management and supervision. Thorough knowledge of current principles and practices of utility and civil engineering. Principles and practices of engineering economics, project management and special benefit assessment districts. Contract administration, project management and evaluation. Theories, principles and techniques of equipment used in various engineering projects. Complex budget preparation and administration. Supervision, training, and performance evaluation. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations relating to engineering and the environment. Principles of research, business letter writing, complex report preparation and procedures; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation. Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment. Skill to: Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment. Operate a motor vehicle safely. Ability to: Interpret and apply Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations. Interpret and explain City and Department policies and programs. Plan, organize, supervise, train and evaluate professional and technical engineering staff. Negotiate and administer contracts. Coordinate and manage assigned projects. 419 Conduct studies, review and evaluate data, and form accurate conclusions and projections. Prepare and/or direct the preparation of complex plans, specifications and legal contracts. Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports. Make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors, and city councils. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain, and foster positive, harmonious, and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Perform difficult research, analyze complex engineering problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend effective action. Use computerized engineering programs. Minimum Qualifications: Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job duties of the position is qualifying. The incumbent will possess the most desirable combination of training, skills, and experience, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. A typical example includes: Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional engineering and/or management experience in Civil Engineering or water resources including two years of project management, supervisory, and administrative responsibility. Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field. License or Certificate: A valid certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the State of California is required. Professional Civil Engineer registration or equivalent is preferred. Possession of or ability to obtain a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. 420 Special Requirements: Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: Ability to work in a standard office environment; exposure to outdoors; ability to travel to different sites and locations. Effective Date: January 2023