body,date,page,text,path
CivilServiceBoard,2015-07-01,1,"CHT
OF
of
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CIVIL SERVICE BOARD OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2015
1.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:06 p.m. by Board President Dean Batchelor.
2.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: President Dean Batchelor, Members Jan Brandt, Zara Santos, and Cookie Robles-
Wong (arrived @ 5:11 p.m. - late)
STAFF PRESENT: Jill Kovacs, Acting Human Resources Director and Executive Secretary
to the Board
Stephanie Garrabrant-Sierra, Administrative Services Director
Beth Fritz, Administrative Assistant II
Michael Roush, Attorney - Civil Service Board Legal Counsel
Chris Low, Senior Human Resources Analyst
Robin Young, Senior Human Resources Analyst
Tiffany llacqua, Human Resources Analyst I
Monica Selles, Human Resources Analyst II
Sharlene Shikhmuradova, Administrative Technician Il
Bill Garvine, EUPA Representative
Terry Flippo, ACEA Representative
ABSENT:
Vice President Marguerite Malloy
Beth Fritz, Administrative Assistant Il
3.
MINUTES:
A.
Approval of Minutes of the Regular meeting of April 1, 2015.
Member Santos moved that the April 1, 2015 Minutes be approved. Motion was seconded by
President Bachelor which was passed by a 3-0 vote (Malloy-absent, Robles-Wong-late).
4.
SPECIAL AGENDA ITEM:
4-A. Presentation: Park Maintenance Equipment Operator Practical Skills Test
Tiffany llacqua, Human Resources Analyst I, provided an overview to the Board regarding the Park
Maintenance Equipment Operator Practical Skills Test. llacqua worked with John McDonald, Park
Manager to fill the vacancy in the Alameda Recreation and Park Department (ARPD). The
recruitment opened in May 2015 and was open for two weeks. There were 81 applicants and 17",CivilServiceBoard/2015-07-01.pdf
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Civil Service Board Minutes
Regular Meeting July 1, 2015
were invited to the Practical Skills Test. There were 12 applicants who followed protocol, confirming
they wanted to participate in the exam.
llacqua provided handouts (bulletin, supplemental questionnaire, etc.) to the Board. There were eight
applicants who showed up on the day of the Practical Skills Test. Applicants were given an injury,
illness, and liability waiver form and an equipment proficiency questionnaire to complete before they
took the test. They were asked to complete a criminal history questionnaire in compliance with a new
law that went into effect in July 2014. The new law requires that applicants not be required to provide
criminal history information until after it is determined that they meet the minimum qualifications of the
job.
The skills test was held at the multipurpose field at Alameda Point and both the field and part of the
sidewalk were used to complete the five different exercises:
-
Driving a tractor and moving materials with the tractor
-
Properly loading a truck
-
Changing a blade on a chain saw and then starting the chain saw
-
Correctly identifying different fuels and which equipment uses what fuel
-
Driving a mower and mowing the lawn properly
Each exercise was worth 20 points with a total of 100 points overall. Of the eight applicants who
tested, seven passed the practical test and were placed on the Eligible List. The List was provided to
ARPD two days after the test was completed. llacqua stated that she anticipates receiving the final
candidate selection from ARPD soon.
Executive Secretary Kovacs stated that this overview was provided so that new Board Members
would have an understanding of how a merit based Civil Service recruitment and testing is
conducted.
President Batchelor asked if the exercises were done on a timed basis and were candidates timed as
they did the exercises. llacqua stated they were not timed as there was a problem with some of the
equipment. Board Member Brandt asked who the evaluating proctors were. llacqua stated that
skilled workers/subject matter experts oversaw and proctored the different exercises. Executive
Secretary Kovacs stated there were supervisors from Public Works, AMP, and ARPD who served as
proctors of the exercises.
5.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
SUMMARY REPORT FOR EXAMINATION ELIGIBLE LISTS AND CLASSIFICATIONS FOR
JULY 1, 2015.
5-A-i.
ELIGIBLE LIST ESTABLISHED
DATE ESTABLISHED
EXAM NO.
(Mar. 2, 2015 - May 31, 2015)
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Regular Meeting July 1, 2015
Administrative Technician I
03/18/2015
2015-24
(Designated from Office Assistant-Lateral Transfer)
Assistant Community Development Director
03/30/2015
2015-15PR
Building Code Compliance Officer
04/08/2015
2015-14
Chief System Dispatcher
05/26/2015
2015-05
(Designated from System Operations and Field Services Superintendent)
Communications Engagement Specialist
03/10/2015
2015-02
(Designated from Public Information Officer)
Customer Service Representative
04/16/2015
2015-20
Distribution Engineer
04/16/2015
2015-11
Executive Assistant
03/31/2015
2015-13PR
Firefighter
12/11/2014
2014-34
Intermediate Clerk (lateral transfer)
05/11/2015
2015-35
Office Assistant (lateral transfer)
05/11/2015
2015-36
Permit Technician III
03/12/2015
2015-09
Planner I
05/12/2015
2015-22
Police Maintenance Technician
05/27/2015
2015-32PR
Public Works Project Manager III
04/01/2015
2015-17PR
Stock Clerk
05/05/2015
2015-18
System Operations and Field Services Superintendent
03/12/2015
2015-05
(System Operations Superintendent)
System Operator
05/11/2015
2015-19
Police Officer
Daniel Schilling
05/27/2015
2015-06
Peter Kim
05/27/2015
2015-06
Dylan Westfall
05/27/2015
2015-06
Aaron Moore
05/27/2015
2015-06
Christopher Cypher
05/27/2015
2015-06
Evan Vigneault-Cubit
05/27/2015
2015-07
Ray Hamilton
05/27/2015
2015-07
Cameron McGee
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
Amanda Lanzarin
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
Kyle Emmitt
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
Dominic Bongiovanni
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
Garrett Brown
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
Shanna Holmes
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
James Wilson
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
Luis Buenrostro, Jr.
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
Sabi Mand
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
Anthony Flores
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
Juan Ramon Umali
05/27/2015
2015-10PT
5-A-ii. ELIGIBLE LIST EXTENDED
DATE ESTABLISHED
EXAM NO.
Firefighter
12/11/2014
2014-34
Library Technician
12/08/2014
2014-39
System Operator Trainee
10/06/2014
2014-38PT
5-A-iii. ELIGIBLE LIST EXPIRED/
DATE ESTABLISHED
EXAM NO.
CANCELLED/EXHAUSTED
Assistant General Manager - Customer Resources
10/06/2014
2014-27
City Engineer
10/13/2014
2014-33R
Combination Building Inspector
10/28/2014
2014-31
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Finance Supervisor
11/13/2013
2013-32
Human Resources Analyst
I
06/27/2013
2013-21PR
Intermediate Clerk
10/09/2013
2013-30
Intermediate Clerk (lateral transfer)
06/11/2015
2015-35
Office Assistant
10/28/2013
2013-31
Permit Technician III
03/12/2015
2015-09
Police Captain
05/01/2013
2013-12PR
Police Maintenance Technician
05/27/2015
2015-32PR
Police Officer
07/08/2014
2012-33
Police Officer
07/08/2014
2013-20PT
Public Information Officer
02/19/2015
2015-02
Public Safety Dispatcher
06/25/2014
2014-10
Public Works Project Manager III
04/01/2015
2015-17PR
Supervising Librarian
12/03/2014
2014-43
Utility Information System Billing Specialist
12/22/2014
2014-46
5-A-iv. LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS
Existing Classification Specification Revision:
-
Assistant General Manager - Engineering and Operations
-
Chief System Operator
-
Division Chief
-
Park Maintenance Foreperson (Reactivated)
-
Permit Technician I
-
Permit Technician Il
-
Public Works Supervisor
-
Redevelopment Project Manager
-
Senior Communications Specialist
-
Senior Utility Accountant
New Class Specifications:
-
Media Specialist
-
Utility Analyst
-
Utility Project Manager
Executive Secretary Kovacs stated that staff is pulling the new class specification for Media Specialist
from the agenda as there are last minute questions and concerns that need to be addressed.
Board Member Brandt stated that there is a typo in the Assistant General Manager Job Specification.
On #1, first line, ""selectin"" should be ""selection."" Also, it appears that all of the positions require a
valid California Driver's License and a good driving record. Board Member Brandt asked why the
Media Specialist/Web Designer needs to be able to drive. Senior Human Resources Analyst Low
stated that within various specifications there are times when a Driver's License is absolutely needed
for the job. For instance a Police Officer or Line Worker would need a license to drive around the city.
Classifications are written in a broad sense and a web specialist may be doing web work 99 percent
of the time at their desk. But some positions may require off-site work and thus require the need for a
driver's license.
Bill Garvine, EUPA President and representative, stated that AMP requested that Human Resources
pull the Media Specialist. The Media Specialist at AMP would often times be asked to supervise art
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Regular Meeting July 1, 2015
work which would include using an independent contractor which may require travel to contractors
offices, etc.
Board Member Brandt stated that on the Utility Analyst specification, under definition, it states
""
provides management assistance "", but then under Distinguishing Features it states, ""Work in the
class is distinguished from that of lower classes in that it involves full responsibility for various staff
and project functions."" And, in Examples of Duties, #13, it states, ""May administer or manage specific
project, programs, and or services."" Nowhere in the experience requirement does it say that they
need to have management or project management experience. Senior Human Resources Analyst
Low stated the Utility Analyst is a brand new classification and is similar to the Management Analyst
classification. It is not truly a project manager because there are specific Project Manager
classifications for whom job specifications were recently adopted. This Utility Analyst is going to be
more of a general analyst who will be working in support of utility specific programs and projects.
Executive Secretary Kovacs stated that in the general analyst series, which this classification equates
to, it is equivalent to the entry level analyst classification. People could qualify via a variety of routes.
This could be a transitional position for someone going into the professional classes from
administrative classes. The expectation would be they would have extensive administrative
experience. It could also be a vehicle where somebody enters the work force from professional
internships where they have done support work in overseeing projects and programs. Board Member
Brandt stated that theoretically this could be someone who did the work well and now is entering into
a leadership role? Executive Secretary Kovacs stated yes.
President Batchelor stated that in looking at the Senior Communications Specialist and the Senior
Utility Accountant specifications, there is not supervision in the Senior Communications Specialist
specifications, but in looking at the Senior Utility Accountant specification, one level below the Senior
Communication Specialist, it talks about supervising activities of Utility Accountants and Senior
Account Clerks. Why use the title of ""Senior"" when there is no supervision? Senior Human
Resources Analyst Low stated that the Senior Communications Specialist is a title change from what
was previously called a Communications Engagement Specialist. The Communications Engagement
Specialist was a bad title as AMP does not engage in communications, they engage their customers.
That is the first reason for the change in title. It is at the same level as a Senior Management Analyst
or Senior Human Resources Analyst. This communications position has very high level duties with
regard to both internal and external communication plans and strategies. Although there is not a
Communications Specialist classification below it, this particular position may provide project or
assignment supervision or direction to other classifications such as an Administrative Services
Coordinator which is an entry level classification between highly productive administrative and entry
level management classifications. President Batchelor clarified that then ""Senior"" was just kept as a
title. Senior Human Resources Analyst Low stated yes.
Board Member Robles-Wong stated if there is no classification family leading to this classification,
what would be the leading position or the position right below it. Senior Human Resources Analyst
Low stated that right now there is no infrastructure or classification to dovetail into the Senior
Communications Specialist position; AMP is too small. There are other energy classifications that
could feed into this particular classification if the person had a very strong background.
Executive Secretary Kovacs stated that this particular employee group, EUPA, is relatively new.
They broke away from the citywide Management and Confidential Employees Association (MCEA)
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approximately a year ago. When MCEA broke away, they took the AMP specialized classes with
them and they became part of the EUPA group. EUPA does not have that general analyst
classification series any longer (e.g., the Management Analyst, Administrative Management Analyst
and Senior Management Analyst). She further stated classifications are built as they are needed.
Right now AMP does not have a journey level need; right now they have an advanced need. Down
the road they may come back for a journey level classification. Senior Human Resources Analyst
Young stated that the term ""Senior"" typically illustrates one of two things: lead direction or an
advanced professional position.
Mayor Herrera-Spencer stated that with relation to possession of a Driver's License, the City would
really like to encourage the use of public transportation, bicycling or walking. If there was any way a
City employee could do a job without a Driver's License, she would encourage it. She would
discourage using a single occupancy form of transportation for work.
Member Brandt moved that the Consent Calendar be approved with the Media Specialist
pulled for further review. Motion was seconded by Member Santos which was passed by a 4-0
vote (Malloy-absent).
6.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
6-A.
Informational Report, March 18, 2015, Regarding Eligible List and Appointment
Certification -
-
Office Assistant Lateral Transfer Request List for Administrative Technician
I
vacancy, DS. 1470.001
Executive Secretary Kovacs stated that at various times there will be actions taken by staff. These
are actions taken by the Acting Human Resources Director and Executive Secretary. The following
reports are to advise the Civil Service Board of such actions.
6-B. Informational Report, March 10, 2015, Regarding Designation of Eligible List
-
Public Information Officer, 2015-02 for Communications Engagement Specialist
vacancy, AP.7015.001
6-C. Informational Report, May 12, 2015, Regarding Designation of Eligible List
- System Operations Superintendent, 2015-05 for Chief System Dispatcher vacancy,
AP.7018.001
6-D. Informational Report, June 18, 2015, Regarding Lateral Transfer
-
Senior Human Resources Analyst - AMP (Classification Code 7007) to Senior
Human Resources Analyst (AMP) (Classification Code 1265)
6-E. Information Report, June 17, 2015, Regarding Approval of Applications to
Temporarily Vacate Civil Service Positions:
-
Mark Sample
-
Michael DeWindt
-
Stephen Lucero
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Executive Secretary Kovacs stated that the Community Paramedicine Program is excluded by
Ordinance from Civil Service due to its special funding. The incumbents have submitted requests to
vacate their Civil Service positions in order to be assigned to the Community Paramedicine Program.
At the end of their assignment, they will return to their Civil Service positions.
President Batchelor stated that in regard to the Division Chief classification there is not an inclusion of
office assignment and asked for clarification. Executive Secretary Kovacs stated that a Division Chief
is usually assigned to fire suppression which means they work 24 hour shifts and are in command at
emergency calls. This particular Paramedicine assignment is what is called an office assignment, so
the incumbent is coming off of a fire suppression assignment to a non-suppression traditional work
schedule, working Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office differential is
established in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide incentive to the employee who
goes from the suppression shift schedule to the non-suppression traditional schedule.
6-F. Activity Report - Period of March 1, 2015 through May 31, 2015.
FULL-TIME HIRES
DATE
DEPARTMENT
JOB CLASSIFICATION
03/23/15
Alameda Municipal Power
Support Services Supervisor
04/06/15
Police
Police Officer
04/06/15
Public Works
Maintenance Worker II
04/20/15
Alameda Municipal Power
Communications Engagement Specialist
05/18/15
Alameda Municipal Power
Customer Service Representative
CERTIFIED TO CIVIL SERVICE (FROM SAFER PROGRAMO
DATE
DEPARTMENT
JOB CLASSIFICATION
03/08/15
Fire
Firefighters (6)
LATERAL TRANSFERS
DATE
DEPARTMENT
JOB CLASSIFICATION
03/23/15
Community Development
to Administrative Technician I
from Office Assistant
REINSTATED TO FORMER POSITION
DATE
DEPARTMENT
JOB CLASSIFICATION
04/19/15
Alameda Municipal Power
to Electrical Maintenance Technician
from System Dispatcher
PROMOTIONS
DATE
DEPARTMENT
JOB CLASSIFICATION
04/05/15
Fire
Fire Apparatus Operator
04/09/15
Alameda Municipal Power
Systems Ops & Field Service Superintendent
04/19/15
Community Development
Assistant Community Development Director
04/19/15
Library
Executive Assistant
04/19/15
Fire
Fire Chief (Appointed by City Manager)
05/03/15
Public Works
Public Works Project Manager Il
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Regular Meeting July 1, 2015
RETIREMENTS
DATE
DEPARTMENT
JOB CLASSIFICATION
04/02/15
Community Development
Permit Technician III
05/30/15
Fire
Captain
SEPARATIONS
DATE
DEPARTMENT
JOB CLASSIFICATION
03/17/15
Police
Police Officer
04/02/15
Police
Intermediate Clerk
04/03/15
Alameda Municipal Power
Asst. General Manager-Engineering and Operations
04/30/15
Community Development
Economic Development Manager
05/01/15
City Manager
City Manager
05/01/15
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
05/07/15
Finance
Finance Supervisor
Executive Secretary Kovacs stated that for clarification to new Board Members Brandt and Robles-
Wong, the Activity Report lists the various Civil Service and related activities that have been
processed during the last three month period.
Regarding Separations:
-
Police Officer was released from Probation
-
Police Intermediate Clerk resigned to take another position
-
Alameda Municipal Power Asst. General Manager-Engineering and Operations
moved out of the area
-
Community Development Economic Development Manager resigned and moved out
of area
-
City Manager took another position in Riverside, CA
-
Assistant City Manager took another position in Riverside, CA
-
Finance Supervisor resigned and is the Finance Director for the City of Pittsburg, CA
7.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA (PUBLIC COMMENT)
(Any person may address the Civil Service Board in regard to any matter over which the Civil
Service Board has jurisdiction or of which it may take cognizance that is not on the agenda)
None
8.
CIVIL SERVICE BOARD COMMUNICATIONS (COMMUNICATIONS FROM BOARD)
Board Member Santos wanted to let the Human Resources staff know that the new Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA) regulations were released June 30 which may impact salaries. Executive
Secretary Kovacs stated that the City of Alameda is not impacted because our lowest salary ranges
meet the new thresholds.
9.
CIVIL SERVICE BOARD COMMUNICATIONS (COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF)
Executive Secretary Kovacs introduced new Board Members to meeting attendees.
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Regular Meeting July 1, 2015
10.
CONFIRMATION OF NEXT CIVIL SERVICE BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, October 7, 2015.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
sifth
Jill Kovacs
Acting tuman Resources Director and
Executive Secretary to the Civil Service Board
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