Resolution to Recruit for an Engineering Technician III

The City has had the Engineering Technician III position slated for recruitment and in the budget since January 1, 2013.  The request to recruit has been put off due to the many changes in the Engineering Division and the desire to get Bruce Westby, our new City Engineer, acclimated and in-tune the the business needs of the division.  Mr. Westby, in cooperation with City Administrator Ulrich, have determined that hiring an Engineering Technician III will allow the City to better meet its engineering needs and will better utilize current staffing time and talents.  

The Engineering Technician III would be primarily involved with:
• Preparing construction plans, specifications and engineer’s estimates
• Preparing as-built plans
• Providing primary and/or back-up construction inspection
• Providing primary and/or back-up topsoil inspections
• Providing primary and/or back-up stormwater infrastructure inspections for compliance with the city’s Stormwater  Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP)
• Providing primary and/or back-up grading inspections (if adopted)

The rationale for hiring this position is described in the attached Evaluation Criteria for Vacant and New Positions form, along with a draft job description.

Once the recruitment is complete, staff will bring a case forward asking for authorization to hire.

This case will appear on the regular agenda of tonight's City Council meeting as part of the Report from the Personnel Committee.

Option #1:  Authorize staff to begin a recruitment for an Engineering Technician III based on the available funding as described below.   The pros to this option include: 1) supporting the City's financial well-being by providing in-house engineering services, 2) supporting the strategic initiative "Enhancing the State, County and City’s transportation system,"( i.e. if this position is not filled, the city will further delay the development and implementation of a long-term road maintenance plan and policy), 3) providing additional in-house resources to support the Engineering Division's work, 4)  providing back-up when the Engineering Tech IV or Engineering Tech II are out of the office.  The cons to this option include recruitment costs, which are minimal; and training costs.

Option #2:   Direct staff to contract this function out.  Staff feels that the pros to this option are limited to reduced hiring costs and reduced training costs.  The cons to this option include less control over the process and work-product, possible high turnover, possible loss of knowledge if/when contractor leaves, and and a higher annual cost--estimated at $100,000 to $140,000.

Option #3:  Direct staff to act based on discussion.

To make a motion, which upon City Council approval, will authorize staff to move ahead with option #1 above to Authorize staff to begin a recruitment for an Engineering Technician III, which includes posting the position's full pay scale.

The funding required for this position, based on a January 1, 2014, start date is budgeted at $72,358 (wages, benefits, taxes).  This figure assumes hiring at step 1 of the 2014 wage scale.    The full wage scale is as follows:

January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014 = $24.17 to $30.23 per hour
July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 = $24.42 to $30.53 per hour

Based on the outcome of the candidate pool, staff would like the latitude to competitively negotiate a starting wage based on the 2014 wage scale; subject to available funding within the Division.  

The position is funded as follows:

40% - Engineering
30% - Street Maintenance
10% - Water
10% - Sewer
10% - Storm Water

Motion to approve resolution #13-08-146, which confirms the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to authorize staff to begin a recruitment for an Engineering Technician III, posted at the position's full pay scale.