HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.(Handout) Summer student and intern payAMENDED
Item 7 (Handout)
Item 7.
Ve CKC501
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: INITIATING DEPARTMENT:
TEJI OWALLEY, HUMAN RESOURCES AND
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Roger S. Bailey
General Manager
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.
RECOM M ENDATIONS 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 Intern
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 permanentjob 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 30 per hour irrelevant of the assignment to ensure equity
across the positions based upon Human Resources' recommendation.
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 I ntern 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 I ntern and Summer Students