HomeMy WebLinkAbout08. Replace a vacant Lead Engineering Asst position with an Assistant Engineer position for Capital Projects Page 1 of 3
Item 8.
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CENTRAL SAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WE VS.101 M POSITION PAPER
MEETING DATE: JUNE 17, 2021
SUBJECT: REPLACE A VACANT LEAD ENGINEERING ASSISTANT POSITION (G-72,
$4,356 - $5,273 BI-WEEKLY) WITHANASSISTANT ENGINEER POSITION
(S-73, $4,484 — $5,424 B I-W E E KLY)
SUBMITTED BY: INITIATING DEPARTMENT:
EDGAR J. LOPEZ, CAPITAL PROJECTS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES-
DIVISION MANAGER CAPITAL PROJECTS
REVIEWED BY: JEAN-MARC PETIT, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL
SERVICES
Roger S. Bailey
General Manager
ISSUE
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 may 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
Central San's Capital Projects Division continues to evaluate its staffing needs and is recommending to
replace a vacant Lead Engineering Assistant position with a similar position in the professional engineering
class or series.
Capital Projects is responsible for the administration, design, and construction of the Capital Improvement
Program (CI P). Starting in 2021, the CI P is projected to reach approximately$100 million (M) annually
until 2027. The peak projection is in 2024 with a total budget of $125 M. The increase in the Cl P is due to
the infrastructure investment proposed by Central San to its collection system (sewers), recycled water,
general improvements, and for the wastewater treatment plant. The C I P includes several new, large,
complex projects within the Treatment Plant, Collection System, and Recycled Water Programs. In
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addition, there are many smaller to mid-size projects that need to be completed during the same
timeframe.
The Lead Engineering Assistant has been used in the Collection System Program for over the past
decade on sewer replacement projects. Although the CI P will continue replacing a minimum of 6 miles of
sewers a year completed by in-house design and construction managers, a heavy focus and Division
resources have been and continue to be reallocated to the Treatment Plant and for large special projects,
such as the Solids Handling Facility Improvements and the Filter Plant and Clearwell Improvements.
Currently, up to 13 full time employees work in the Collection System Program and is considered
adequate for the near term (next 5 years). These employees perform administration, survey, drafting,
design, bidding, construction management, and record drawings for sewer renovation projects.
The Treatment Plant Program utilizes many outside design firms and consultants due to the specialty
nature of wastewater facilities and the unique systems at Central San, i.e. incinerators, power generation,
and heat recovery (steam). An Assistant Engineer position requires a degree in Engineering and with
experience are very likely to achieve or obtain a professional engineer license. The requested position will
work in the Treatment Plant Program where the additional education and potential license will be a benefit
to the Capital Projects Division. In addition, this position has the abilities to perform project manager
duties for less complex and smaller projects with the proper guidance of a Senior Engineer. The added
flexibility of an Assistant Engineer is needed for the small to mid-sized projects in the Cl P.
ALT ERNAT IVES/CONSIDERAT IONS
Do not replace the position as proposed. This is not recommended because the Treatment Plant
Program is in need of an engineer that can perform the work as previously stated.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Approval of the Assistant Engineer position may increase the Capital Projects Operating Budget by
$3,926 in future years at the maximum step of the salary range. Depending on the hire and potential
reciprocity, benefits and overall total compensation may be a decrease to the Operating budget compared
to the employee that vacated the Lead Engineering Assistant position.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Administration Committee reviewed this matter at its June 8, 2021 meeting and recommended
approval.
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION
Replace the vacant Lead Engineering Assistant position (G-72, $4,356 - $5,273 bi-weekly) in Capital
Projects with an Assistant Engineer position (S-73, $4,484 — $5,424 bi-weekly).
Strategic Plan Tie-In
GOAL ONE: Customer and Community
Strategy 1—Deliver high-quality customer service
GOAL THREE: Fiscal Responsibility
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Strategy 1—Maintain financial stability and sustainability
GOAL FOUR: Workforce Development
Strategy 1—Proactively plan for future operational staffing needs
GOAL FIVE:Infrastructure Reliability
Strategy 2—Execute long-term capital renewal and replacement program
June 17, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 47 of 168