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Home My WebLink About08. Replace a vacant G-71 position with a S-79 position for the Plant Operations Division Page 1 of 4 Item 8. CENTRAL SAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITION PAPER MEETING DATE: MAY 20, 2021 SUBJECT: APPROVE REPLACING A VACANT CONTROL SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN POSITION (G-71, $4,166-$5,045 BI-WEEKLY) W I T H A UTILITYSYSTEMS ENGINEER POSITION (S-79, $5,066-$6,124 BI-WEEKLY) SUBMITTED BY: INITIATING DEPARTMENT: NATE MORALES, SENIOR ENGINEER OPERATIONS-PLANT OPERATIONS ALAN WEER, PLANT OPERATIONS DIVISION MANAGER REVIEWED BY: STEVE MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Y, �,��_,�I Roger S. Bailey General Manager ISSUE The Board of Directors approval is needed when the addition and deletion of vacant positions results in an increase in the District's budgeted labor costs. If calculated at the maximum step of the salary range and including the full benefit cost, this action will result in an increase in the labor costs; thus, falling outside the purview of the General Manager's delegated authority related to personnel actions. BACKGROUND The Plant Operations Division has reevaluated its staffing needs and is recommending replacing a vacant Control Systems Technician position with a Utility Systems Engineer position assigned to the Process Control System (PCS) Group. The District operates two central control systems, one at the treatment plant and a second for the pumping stations. The control systems are a group of instruments, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), networks and servers that are carefully configured to allow operators to monitor and control any part of the wastewater process from a computer screen. Each is comprised of thousands of components, around 20 PLC programs and hundreds of graphic interfaces screens. The PCS Group is responsible for maintaining, upgrading and documenting the District's control systems. May 20, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 65 of 457 Page 2 of 4 Due to its technical nature, control systems is a highly specialized field. In order to excel, a qualified employee requires a deep understanding of PLC programming, SCADA software configuration, control theory, and controls design, including instrumentation, hardwire controls, and field wiring. Ideally, candidates have networking and drafting backgrounds, as well as an understanding of electrical engineering, and construction services. Currently, the PCS Group has four fulltime positions including a Senior Engineer, two Utility System Engineers (Engineer) and a Control Systems Technician (Technician). There are many differences in required knowledge between an Engineer and a Technician. Fundamentally, a Technician is expected to troubleshoot issues, perform maintenance, and make minor programming changes; whereas, an Engineer is required to write new programs, apply control theories, and develop new standards.Additionally, Engineers are required to work closely with the Capital Projects Division, consultants and contractors on control systems design, evaluate and comment on submittals, and assist or facilitate construction efforts. Over the next ten years, the District plans to substantially increase capital project expenditures. The largest projects include significant replacement and improvement to the control systems and, as a result, will require dedicated effort from Control Systems staff.Attachment 1 provides a list of upcoming projects with meaningful control systems scope. Work associated with capital projects is typically complex and exceeds the abilities of a Technician. Over the next ten years, between four and nine large capital projects will be active. Historically, the District has run one to two large projects simultaneously. I n order to effectively support the increased capital project workload, as well as the day-to-day plant maintenance, operations and regulatory demands, an additional highly skilled, engineering-minded, Control Systems staff position is necessary. ALTERNATIVES/CONSIDERATIONS The Board could consider the following alternatives: 1. Do not replace a vacant Control Systems Technician position with a Utility Systems Engineer position. If this action is not approved, the Control Systems group will not be effectively staffed to keep up with the day-to-day plant maintenance, operations, and regulatory demands in addition to the increased capital projects workload. Utility Systems Engineers typically charge approximately 30- percent or more of their salaries and benefits to the Capital Improvement Budget. 2. Hire a consultant to supplement existing Plant Control Systems staff and execute the necessary tasks that a Control Systems Technician is not capable of performing. A consultant engineer with the required skillset would cost approximately$200 per hour. Due to the anticipated large workload, consultant costs would almost certainly exceed the annual cost of replacing a Technician with an Engineer for the foreseeable future. Additionally, by outsourcing these technical tasks, critical and experience-based knowledge will not be gained by in-house staff. FINANCIAL IMPACTS Due to several Plant Operations personnel changes (positional vacancy and retirements) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 to date, this action will not result in an increase to this year's Operating Budget. This action will result in an annual cost of approximately$38,995 due to the maximum step of the salary range, benefits, and date of hire. However, any operational budget increases due to this action in future fiscal years, starting in FY 2021-22 will have already been more than offset by substantial benefit savings due to retirements during FY 2020-21. May 20, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 66 of 457 Page 3 of 4 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Administrative Committee reviewed this subject at its May 4, 2021 meeting and recommended Board approval. RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION Approve replacing a vacant Control Systems Technician position (G-71, $4,166-$5,045 bi-weekly)with a Utility Systems Engineer position (S-79, $5,066-$6,124 bi-weekly). Strategic Plan re-In GOAL FOUR: Workforce Development Strategy 1—Proactively plan for future operational staffing needs GOAL SIX: Innovation and Optimization Strategy 2—Improve and modernize operations through technology and efficiency measures ATTACHMENTS: 1. List of upcoming projects with Control Systems scope May 20, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 67 of 457 Page 4 of 4 Attachment 1 Projects with Significant Control Systems Scope Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan Fiscal Year Project Project Name 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 No 7328 Influent Pump Electrical x x Improvements 8436 Pump Station Upgrades - Phase 1 x x 7349 Electric Blower Improvements x x x 7348 Solids Handling Facility x x x x x Improvements 8457 Pump Station Upgrades - Phase 2 x x x x 10015 Aeration Basins Diffuser x x x x x Replacement & Seismic Upgrades 10012 UV Disinfection Upgrades x x x x x 7339C Pump & Blower 1/0 Replacement xx xx xx Project 7339D Standby Power 1/0 Replacement xx xx xx Project Treatment Plant SCADA Upgrades xx xx xx xx Pumping Station SCADA Upgrades xx xx xx xx xx 7349 Steam System and Existing Aeration x x x x Blower Renovations Standby Generator Expansion x x x CoGen Replacement x x x x x- Project currently in Design or Construction xx- Project to be led by Process Control System Group May 20, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 68 of 457