Title
Amendments to Pay Ordinance S-47689 in Accordance with Human Resources Committee 616 Recommendations (Ordinance S-49277)
Description
At the request of Unit 3 AFSCME Local 2960 and as part of their negotiated contract to conduct a market study, the following amendments to the Pay Ordinance [S-47689] 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 Classification Plan [S-5815], which will be processed under a separate ordinance.
Modify the classification of Police Assistant, Job Code 62160, Salary Plan 006, Grade 325 ($36,213 - $52,728/annually), Benefit Category 003, Labor Unit Code: 003, EEO-4 Category: Administrative Support, FLSA Status: Nonexempt to Grade 328 ($41,454 - $60,840/annually).
Abolish the assignment of Police Assistant*Special Detail, Job Code 62162, Salary Plan 006, Grade 326, Benefit Category 003, Labor Unit Code: 003, EEO-4 Category: Administrative Support, FLSA Status: Nonexempt.
Modify the classification of Detention Officer, Job Code 62130, Salary Plan 006, Grade 328 ($41,454 - $60,840/annually), Benefit Category 003, Labor Unit Code: 003, EEO-4 Category: Protective Service Nonsworn, FLSA Status: Nonexempt to Grade 330 ($45,635 - $67,101/annually).
Modify the classification of Detention Supervisor, Job Code 62150, Salary Plan 001, Grade 031 ($47,674 - $72,342/annually), Benefit Category 007, Labor Unit Code: ASPTEA, EEO-4 Category: Protective Service Nonsworn, FLSA Status: Nonexempt to Grade 032 ($49,878 - $76,107/annually).
Establish the assignment of Police Assistant*Detention Officer Trainee (NC), Job Code 62163, Salary Plan 006, Grade 328 ($41,454 - $60,840/annually), Benefit Category 003, Labor Unit Code: 003, EEO-4 Category: Protective Service Nonsworn, FLSA Status: Nonexempt.
Establish the classification of Detention Officer Trainee (NC), Job Code 62120, Salary Plan 006, Grade 328 ($41,454 - $60,840/annually), Benefit Category 003, Labor Unit Code: 003, EEO-4 Category: Protective Service Nonsworn, FLSA Status: Nonexempt.
Report
Summary
BACKGROUND
Police Assistants and Police Assistants*Special Detail are used throughout the Police Department in support of law enforcement activities. The Department has filled 107 of the 120 budgeted Police Assistant positions, and 21 of the 29 budgeted Police Assistant*Special Detail assignments.
The *Special Detail assignment was created for employees to spend most of their time “performing fact finding in support of law enforcement activities.” Police Assistants also “perform light investigations, conduct follow-ups as well as prepare or update reports.” Since the classification specifications for Police Assistant and Police Assistant*Special Detail were last updated in 2008, the overlap increased between them, particularly relating to their investigation functions. Then in August 2022, Police Civilian Investigators were introduced. This Unit 7 classification exists to “perform a variety of tasks of a police nature in support of law enforcement activities in an investigative bureau of the Department.” With the creation of the Police Civilian Investigator classification, the overlap between the three classifications increased and distinctions were not clear. Additionally, the *Special Detail assignment was used to underfill Detention Officer positions when candidates did not meet the minimum qualifications of completing the Maricopa County Detention Officer Academy and having one year of detention experience. Underfilling was a quick, reasonable way to assist the Department in filling positions in the Detention Officer classification, which has a 45.2 percent vacancy rate. Going forward, it would be optimal to have a classification specifically designed to feed into the Detention Officer classification.
Staff conducted a compensation review for Police Assistants and Detention Officers using data from eCHRIS and a local public sector salary survey. Results of the compensation review are summarized below.
FINDINGS
Police Assistant compensation was found to be 16 percent below market. Going from grade 325 to 328 would close that gap and put the City at the market rate. Merging the *Special Detail assignment and its duties with the Police Assistant base class would mirror the local market and clearly distinguish the Police Assistant and Police Civilian Investigator classifications. Creating a Detention Officer Trainee (NC) classification would eliminate the need to use the *Special Detail assignment as a Detention Officer underfill. Grade 328 for Detention Officer Trainee (NC) places the City at the market rate for similar classifications. Additionally, creating a Police Assistant*Detention Officer Trainee classification would allow current Police Assistants to make a lateral move to a new career path leading to a promotion to Detention Officer.
The Detention Officer classification is currently below market at a grade 328 and moving it to grade 330 places it slightly above market. However, moving the Detention Officer classification to grade 330 would create compression with the Detention Supervisor classification. Moving the Detention Supervisor classification to grade 032 would eliminate that compression.
CONCLUSION
The City of Phoenix needs to attract Police Assistant and Detention Officer talent and make clear distinctions between the job duties of Police Assistants and Police Civilian Investigators. These recommendations would align the City with compensation practices in our local job market and assist the City with attracting qualified candidates in a competitive atmosphere. The job families and classifications referenced in this report 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 $361,171.
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.