Title
Amendments to Classification Plan S-5815 in Accordance with Human Resources Committee 616 Recommendations (Ordinance S-49274)
Description
At the request of Unit II AFSCME 2384 and as part of their negotiated contract to conduct a market study, the following amendments to the Classification Plan [S-5815] are proposed in accordance with the recommendation of Human Resources Committee 616, effective Dec. 26, 2022. The proposal will also require modifications to the City’s Pay Ordinance [S-47689] which will be processed under a separate ordinance.
Modify the classification of Operations & Maintenance Technician Trainee (NC), Job Code 50360, Salary Plan 004, Grade 214 ($36,150 - $46,758/annually), Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code: 002, EEO-4 Category: Service Maintenance, FLSA Status: Nonexempt to Grade 218 ($41,475 - $55,328/annually).
Modify the classification of Operations & Maintenance Technician, Job Code 50370, Salary Plan 005, Grade 219 ($46,758 - $57,741/annually), Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code: 002, EEO-4 Category: Service Maintenance, FLSA Status: Nonexempt to Salary Plan 004, Grade 222 ($53,102 - $64,771/annually).
Modify the assignment of Operations & Maintenance Technician*SCBA, Job Code 50371, Salary Plan 005, Grade 220 ($48,797 - $59,925/annually), Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code: 002, EEO-4 Category: Service Maintenance, FLSA Status: Nonexempt to Salary Plan 004, Grade 223 ($50,856 - $67,413/annually).
Modify the classification of Senior Utility Operator, Job Code 50340, Salary Plan 005, Grade 222 ($53,102 - $64,771/annually), Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code: 002, EEO-4 Category: Service Maintenance, FLSA Status: Nonexempt to Salary Plan 004, Grade 225 ($55,328 - $74,069/annually).
Modify the assignment of Senior Utility Operator*SCBA, Job Code 50341, Salary Plan 005, Grade 223 ($55,328 - $67,413/annually), Benefit Category 002, Labor Unit Code: 002, EEO-4 Category: Service Maintenance, FLSA Status: Nonexempt to Salary Plan 004, Grade 226 ($57,741 - $77,875/annually).
Modify the classification of Operations & Maintenance Supervisor, Job Code 50380, Salary Plan 001, Grade 032 ($49,878 - $76,107/annually), Benefit Category 007, Labor Unit Code: ASPTEA, EEO-4 Category: Service Maintenance, FLSA Status: Nonexempt to Grade 035 ($58,032 - $88,379/annually).
Report
Summary
BACKGROUND
Currently, 214 positions are allocated to the various levels of the job family shown above. The Water Services Department and the labor groups in that area both expressed concerns about the Department’s difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled employees in the job family. The department has a vacancy rate of nearly 21.5 percent. In addition, some positions are underfilled at the trainee level and other positions are underfilled at the base classification. The Department’s desire is that all employees obtain and maintain certification for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and thus qualify for the assignment at one grade higher.
Staff conducted market research, drawing heavily upon local salary information from public sector employers in the valley performing similar work. Staff also assessed internal alignment of this job family with another job family (Utility Technicians) that was studied in 2021. The Utility Technician job family was increased by three grades (approved by City Council Jan. 6, 2021), which impacted the alignment of these two job families within the Water Services Department.
FINDINGS
The job duties of the various classifications in the Operations & Maintenance Technician job family are difficult to compare to other municipalities in the valley. Other organizations may separate jobs that focus on operations from jobs that focus on maintenance. Fortunately, most public sector organizations have requirements for certification from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at various levels in the different disciplines, which allows for meaningful comparisons across jurisdictions.
Market data supports a three-grade increase for most classifications in the job family, and a four-grade increase for the trainee level.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends increasing the grades of the Operations & Maintenance Technician job family to restore internal alignment with other job families in the Water Services Department and provide a meaningful and attractive career path.
CONCLUSION
The City of Phoenix needs to attract talent in the Operations & Maintenance Technician job family to continue to provide seamless service of a critical function. These recommendations are expected to move this job family into a competitive position within the local job market and assist the City with attracting qualified candidates in a highly competitive atmosphere. This job family will also be included in the Citywide classification and compensation study that is underway, and future grade changes may be considered as a result of those findings.
Financial Impact
The total estimated cost for this request is $272,100.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This action was reviewed and recommended for approval by Human Resources Committee 616 on Nov. 10, 2022.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Human Resources Department.