Consider Hiring an Administrative Assistant Backfilling a Pending Vacancy

The purpose of this case is to authorize filling the soon to be vacant part-time Administrative Assistant position. 

In early November, the Community Development Assistant is retiring, which will create a vacancy in the Community Development Division.  

Previously, staff and the City Council discussed eliminating the 16-hour per week Community Development Assistant position and filling it with a 20-hour per week Administrative Assistant.  The City Council agreed by consensus and directed staff to recruit for the Administrative Assistant position. 

Staff conducted an internal recruitment process and interviewed two candidates.  Ms. Nicole Laubach was selected for the position and has passed the City's pre-employment testing.  The City extended a contingent job offer which is pending City Council approval. If hired, Ms. Laubach will be subject to a six-month probationary period, the personnel policy and the AFSCME labor agreement.

The Administrative Assistant position provides a variety of responsible administrative support functions for the Community Development Department, specifically the Planning Division.  Position responsibilities include providing excellent customer service to residents, contractors, staff and others; routing phone calls, attending city events, scheduling meetings, writing business letters and documents, and counter help at the Community Development / Economic Development windows. 

This is a part-time twenty (20) hours per week position; working Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. 

As the Council is aware, Ms. Laubach has been working in the Building Division to help cover for a leave of absence.  If Ms. Labach is hired as the Planning Divisions Administrative Assistant, she will continue to cover the leave of absence in the Building Division until the employee on leave returns, which is expected to be November 10, 2021. 

The funding for this position is included in the 2021 budget and represents a savings over the original amount budgeted for the Community Development Assistant position. 

To hire Ms. Nicole Laubach as a part-time Administrative Assistant, effective on or near October 27, 2021, at $22.59 per hour which is step 1 of the 2021 wage scale.

Motion to hire Ms. Nicole Laubach as a part-time Administrative Assistant, effective on or near October 27, 2021, at $22.59 per hour, which is step 1 of the 2021 wage scale.