HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - December 19, 2012 C-21AGENDA ITEM (041\
&% CITY OF LODI
,. COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Authorize Amendment to the PublicWorks Position Control Rosterto Replace
Senior Engineering Technician with Assistant Engineer Position
MEETING DATE: December 19,2012
PREPARED BY: PublicWorks Director
RECOMMENDEDACTION: Authorize amendmentto the PublicWorks Position Control Rosterto
replace Senior Engineering Technician with Assistant Engineer position.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: There are currently three Senior Engineering Technician positions
allocated in the Public Works Department. The positions are assigned
(one each) to the Surveying, Development Services and Traffic
sections of the Engineering Division. Senior Engineering Technician duties are generally to provide assistance
to professional engineering staff, conduct specialized studies, perform development plan review, answer
engineering -related questions, and respond to requests from the development and contractor community.
Over the past five years, the Public Works Engineering Division has downsized considerably. This downsizing
included the City's Senior Traffic Engineer being reassigned as Transportation Manager. During this time, only
less complex traffic engineering work has been performed by the Senior Engineering Technician assigned to
the Traffic Section, since the more complicated work requires additional engineering knowledge and training.
The Senior Engineering Technician position assigned to the Traffic Section has been recently vacated. An
analysis of Department needs indicates more advanced duties are required for this position. These duties
include preparing plans and specifications for traffic signal improvements, striping, signing and traffic
control plans for Capital Improvement Projects, and signal timing plans for both isolated and interconnected
traffic signals. Prior to the reorganization, this more complex work was being performed by the now -vacant
Senior Traffic Engineer position.
For the reasons stated above, staff recommends Council authorize amending the PublicWorks Position
Control Rosterto replace one Senior Engineering Technician position with an Assistant Engineer Position.
FISCAL IMPACT: Ultimately, there will be an increase in staffing costs equal to the difference in
salary between the two positions. The Assistant Engineer earns 10% more
($77,083.68 annually at E Step) than the Senior Engineering Technician
($70,076.16 annually at E Step). The newly -hired Assistant Engineer could start at C Step ($69,917.28
annually), which would account for no net change in salary expense over the first year of employment. The
hire step would be determined based upon qualifications and experience. A portion of the Assistant
Engineer salary and benefits will be charged to specific non -General -Fund projects as appropriate.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: As it is curren I , this position will be funded primarily by the General Fund (103021).
Jordan yers
Deputy City Manager/ nternaI Se ices Director
F. Wally ghndelin
PublicWorks Director
Prepared by Charles E. Swimley, Jr., Deputy PublicWorks Director/City Engineer
FWS/CES/pmf
APPROVED:
Bartfamlr C
K:1WPI000NCIL120121sr engineering tech reclass.doc 12/5/2012