HomeMy WebLinkAbout07. Approve recommended salary adjustments to the Student Intern and Summer Student job classificationsPage 1 of 4
Item 7.
DCENTRALSAN
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2024
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
POSITION PAPER
SUBJECT: APPROVE RECOMMENDED SALARY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE STUDENT
INTERN AND SUMMER STUDENT JOB CLASSIFICATIONS
SUBMITTED BY:
TEJ I O'MALLEY, HUMAN RESOURCES AND
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MANAGER
Roger S. Bailey
General Manager
INITIATING DEPARTMENT:
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL MANAGER -
HUMAN RESOURCES
ISSUE
Board of Director's approval is required to change the salary range of classifications.
BACKGROUND
Central San has offered both an intern and summer student program for over 30 years wherein students
gain experience working in the field of their choice. The intern and summer student positions offer an
opportunity to apply knowledge learned in the classroom to hands-on experience. Students gain
knowledge of the District, of the industry and career field while gaining valuable work experiences and
providing a meaningful service to the community. Many of these students and interns have moved on to
become full-time employees of the District.
The salaries for these classifications have been the same for over 15 years as they are not eligible for any
cost of living adjustments (COLA) as is the case for all other District classifications. The last time these
salaries were increased was in 2007.
As the state minimum wage and cost of living has risen dramatically over the past fifteen years, these
positions no longer offer the competitive salary they once did. The number of applicants for these
positions has decreased, and in some cases, the District has lost qualified applicants to other agencies
who have a more competitive salary.
February 1, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 31 of 130
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RECOMMENDATIONS AND COST
The chart below shows how the salaries of the student and intern classifications have compared to the state
minimum wage at various points over the past fifteen years.
Year
Hourly
Minimum
Wage (M W)
Student
Intern Salary
Student
Intern Salary
above M W
(percent)
Summer
Student
Salary
Maximum
Summer
Student
Salary above
MW
(percent)
2007
$7.50
$24.00
220 percent
$18.00
140 percent
2011
$8.00
$24.00
200 percent
$18.00
125 percent
2014
$9.00
$24.00
160 percent
$18.00
100 percent
2016
$10.00
$24.00
140 percent
$18.00
80 percent
2020
$13.00
$24.00
85 percent
$18.00
38 percent
2022
$15.00
$24.00
60 percent
$18.00
20 percent
2023
$15.50
$24.00
55 percent
$18.00
16 percent
When these classes were last adjusted in 2007, the salaries were significantly above minimum wage. At
that time, the Student I ntern salary was 220 percent above the minimum wage and the Summer Student
salary was 140 percent above the minimum wage. As seen on the chart, over the past 15 years since the
last increase, the difference between the salaries and minimum wage has eroded significantly. Currently,
Student I ntern is now 55 percent above the minimum wage and summer student is 16 percent above the
minimum wage.
Human Resources also conducted a salary survey (Attachment 1) of our labor market and found that the
Student Intern and Summer Student classifications are no longer as competitive. The other agencies have
significantly increased their salaries the past several years.
Due the aforementioned, and the fact that California will be moving the minimum wage to $16.00 per hour
and fast-food workers to $20.00 per hour in 2024, Human Resources had recommended to the
Administration Committee during its January 11, 2024 meeting the following increases for both of these
classifications.
• The Student Intern classification be adjusted 25 percent moving the salary from $24.00 per hour to
$30.00 per hour.
• The Summer Student classification be adjusted 33 percent moving the salary from $18.00 to $24.00
per hour. Currently, the summer student has a salary range of $13-18 per hour depending on the
assignment, however Human Resources recommended that it be changed from a range to a flat rate
of $24 per hour irrelevant of the assignment to ensure equity across the positions.
Based upon the discussion and recommendations made during the Administration Committee by the
Board members and further analysis by staff of the salaries and benefits of all permanent job
classifications to ensure parity, the recommendation is now the following for both job classifications
• The Student Intern classification be adjusted 66 percent moving the salary from $24.00 per hour to
$40.00 per hour.
• The Summer Student classification be adjusted 66% percent moving the salary from $18.00 to
$30.00 per hour. The committee also recommended that it be changed from a range to a flat rate of
$24 per hour irrelevant of the assignment to ensure equity across the positions based upon Human
Resources' recommendation.
February 1, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 32 of 130
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As these classifications are not on a five step salary range nor are subject to any cost of living adjustments
(COLA) as are permanent classifications, the committee also recommended that staff evaluate these
salaries and discuss with the Administration Committee every two years.
ALTERNATIVES/CONSIDERATIONS
Do not approve the salary adjustments for these classifications. If this action is not approved, the District
will continue to offer these positions at the current rate of pay and may have issues with filling some of
these positions with qualified applicants.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The cost of this action will be variable as these positions are budgeted every year. The full cost is available
during each fiscal year budget adoption process. Further, as these are temporary, limited term positions,
there is no benefit cost.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Administration Committee reviewed this matter at it's meeting on January 11, 2024 and recommended
approval.
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION
Approve recommendations in regards to salary adjustments of the Intern Student and Summer Student
job classifications.
Strategic Plan Tie -In
GOAL THREE: Workforce Diversity and Development
Strategy 3 - Retain skilled workers by investing in resources and opportunities for all employees to grow and thrive
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Salary Survey for Intern and Summer Students
February 1, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 33 of 130
Attachment 1
STUDENT INTERN SALARY SURVEY - UPDATED DECEMBER 2023
AGENCY
CLASSIFICATION TITLE
MAX HOURLY BASE SALARY
Central San
$24.00
Contra Costa County
Student Intern - Level V
$45.34
EBMUD
Student Intern
$40.02
Marin Municipal Water District
Engineering Intern
$30.00
Oro Loma
Intern (through agency)
$25.00
Delta Diablo
Engineering Intern
$20.79
Contra Costa Water District
Intern
$23.52
City of Benicia
Intern 1/11
$20.66
Dublin San Ramon Services District
Engineering Intern
$20.00
Union Sanitary District
Civil Engineering Intern
$20.00
Alameda County Water District
Engineering Intern
$41.34
City of Walnut Creek
Administrative Intern
$25.00
City of Pittsburg
Intern (college level)
$19.00
City of Concord
Limited Service - Intern
$38.67
City of Vallejo
Intern (adminsitrative only)
$15.00
West County Wastewater District
No Match**
City of Pinole
No Match**
City of Antioch
No Match**
Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District
No Match
** interns not paid
February 1, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 34 of 130