Title
Amendments to Classification Ordinance S-5815 in Accordance with Human Resources Committee 608 Recommendations (Ordinance S-47237)
Description
As part of a classification and compensation study, the following amendment to the Classification Ordinance [S-5815] are recommended in accordance with the recommendation of Human Resources Committee 608, effective Jan. 25, 2021. The amendments also require the City’s Pay Ordinance (S-45840) to be updated. Those will be processed under a separate ordinance.
Modify the Grade of Utility Technician Trainee (NC), Job Code 53000, Salary Plan 004, Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code 002, from Grade 210 ($15.06 - $18.43/hourly, $31,325 - $38,334/annual) to Grade 214 ($16.68 - $21.58/hourly, $34,694 - $44,886/annual).
Modify the Grade of Utility Technician, Job Code 53010, Salary Plan 004, Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code 002, from Grade 214 ($16.68 - $21.58/hourly, $34,694 - $44,886/annual) to Grade 217 ($18.43 - $24.50/hourly, $38,334 - $50,960/annual).
Modify the Grade of Utility Specialty Technician, Job Code 53020, Salary Plan 004, Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code 002, from Grade 215 ($17.28 - $22.51/hourly, $35,942 - $46,821/annual) to Grade 218 ($19.13 - $25.52/hourly, $39,790 - $53,082/annual).
Modify the Grade of Senior Utility Technician, Job Code 53030, Salary Plan 004, Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code 002, from Grade 218 ($19.13 - $25.52/hourly, $39,790 - $53,082/annual) to Grade 221 ($21.58 - $28.81/hourly, $44,866 - $59,925/annual).
Modify the Grade of Utility TV Technician, Job Code 53040, Salary Plan 004, Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code 002, from Grade 218 ($19.13 - $25.52/hourly, $39,790 - $53,082/annual) to Grade 221 ($21.58 - $28.81/hourly, $44,866 - $59,925/annual).
Modify the Class Title and Grade of Utility Foreman, Job Code 53050, Salary Plan 001, Benefit Category 007, Labor Unit Code 007, from Grade 029 ($19.33 - $30.33/hourly, $41,454 - $63,086/annual) to Class Title Utility Crew Chief, Grade 032 ($23.11 - $35.26/hourly, $48,069 - $73,341).
Modify the Grade of Utility Supervisor, Job Code 53060, Salary Plan 001, Benefit Category 007, Labor Unit Code 007, from Grade 031 ($22.09 - $33.52/hourly, $45,947 - $69,722) to Grade 034 ($25.61 - $38.97/hourly, $53,269 - $81,058/annual).
Report
Background
There are currently 133 positions classified as Utility Technicians. The Water Services Department, as well as the labor groups, expressed concerns about the difficulty the department has recruiting and retaining skilled workers. Nearly one third of those 133 positions are currently vacant. In addition, of the positions that are filled, almost 40 percent are filled at the Utility Technician Trainee level. Moreover, the classification currently has a turnover rate of 10.5 percent - more than twice the national average in its field. Staff used data from eCHRIS and conducted research using a combination of public sector and private sector resources including the Economic Research Institute, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and data gathered by the American Water Works Association. Additionally, staff conducted a local salary survey of public sector employers in the Valley. Results of the compensation review are below.
Findings
The job duties of the Utility Technician classification as well as the structure of its job family were found to be accurate and appropriate when comparing to other agencies. Therefore, it was determined that the primary area of concern is the base compensation rate. In analyzing data from the aforementioned sources, it was found that the City of Phoenix’s compensation rate is nearly 16 percent behind comparable positions in the market.
Changing the pay grade of the Utility Technician necessitates changes to the pay grades of the other classifications in the job series to reflect proper placement in the market for this job family and to mitigate pay compression issues. Additional analysis also shows that the average pay for the levels of Utility Foreman and Utility Supervisor are also substantially below their counterparts in the market by well over 21 percent and 18 percent respectively.
Lastly, changing the title of Utility Foreman to Utility Crew Chief is consistent with the City’s strategic direction to use gender neutral and inclusive language.
Conclusion
The City needs to attract talent at the Utility Technician level that has the competence and experience necessary to successfully perform work in the operation and maintenance of distribution systems and wastewater collection equipment and infrastructure. The recommendations above would mitigate compression issues, align the City with compensation practices in our local job market, and assist the City with attracting qualified candidates in a competitive market.
Financial Impact
The estimated costs of these actions for a full fiscal year, including benefits, is approximately $526,648. Funding is available in the Water Services Department.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This action was reviewed and recommended for approval by Human Resources Committee 608 on Dec. 18, 2020.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Toni Maccarone and the Human Resources Department.