Adopt Resolution #15-03-085 to  Hire a Permit Technician Assistant and a Parks Maintenance Worker

The purpose of this case is to request authorization to hire a part-time Permit Technician Assistant and a full-time Parks Maintenance Worker.
 
In accordance with City policy and the strategic plan, staff conducted recruitments for both positions, first an internal recruitment, followed by an external recruitment, including first and second interview processes.  The City extended a contingent job offer to Ms. Ellen Krueger for the part-time Permit Technician Assistant position and to Mr. Evan Johnson for the full-time Parks Maintenance Worker position.    Both offers are contingent upon City Council approval, as well as successfully passing the city's background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug screen and physical exam. Ms. Krueger and Mr. Johnson have successfully passed all of the requirements and are now recommended for approval to the City Council.
 

Part-time Permit Technician Assistant
This is a new position which has been added through the strategic planning process due to the high volume of work in the Building Division to ensure that the approved metrics of 10 Business Day Plan Review and 48 Hour Inspection Window are met. This position is needed to address the volume of phone calls for inquiries and scheduling that prevent Staff from administering permits for issuance. Building Permit issuance is currently delayed by multiple days simply in terms of ability to process data entry delayed by general customer inquiries and scheduling.

In summary, the Permit Technician Assistant position primary objectives are to review and process permit applications for new and existing residential and commercial construction, issue permits for all phases of the construction project, and research and update permit records and files.   This position also performs other skilled administrative assistant work such as, calculating and collecting fees, preparing reports as necessary, and entering or updating data.  In addition, this position will provide back-up customer service to the Planning Division and the Engineering Department. 
 
Full-time Parks Maintenance Worker
This is not a new position; however, the City has been operating without this position since late 2011.   Adding this position back brings the Parks Division back to 2010 staffing levels, which is still one full-time employee less than 2009 levels.  Some of the newer park maintenance needs include the following additions:

• The Draw, 7-acre ‘urban’ park with amphitheater, irrigation and additional parking
• Farmers Market, Concerts and holiday tree
• North Commons, a neighborhood park with irrigation, mowing needs and playstructure
• New full-service restrooms at The Draw and Riverdale Drive
• Additional Sunwood Drive Streetscape, plants, irrigation and mowing
• Community building at Elmcrest Park
• Increased maintenance for ARAA
• Miles of new trail to sweep, prune, patch and plow

In summary, the Parks Maintenance Worker position primary objectives are to provide general maintenance of city-owned parks and trail systems.  Responsibilities include all aspects of parks maintenance, construction of new facilities and the operation of equipment while working in a variety of weather conditions.  This position is also involved in snow plowing of public streets, trails and walks; as well as the on-call program to respond to Public Works emergencies during evenings, weekends and holidays.

Option #1: To hire a part-time Permit Technician Assistant and a full-time Parks Maintenance Worker. Staff recommends hiring both positions to help fulfill the public service needs of the City and to meet the goals of the strategic plan as it relates to both positions.    Pros to this option include the ability to meet the above mentioned public service needs.   Cons to this option include fixed personnel costs.
 
Option #2:  Not to hire a part-time Permit Technician Assistant and/or a full-time Parks Maintenance Worker. Staff does not recommend this option.  Pros to this option include saved fixed personnel costs.   Cons to this option include repercussions such as delays in the above listed services.   Both positions are vital to achieving the City’s goals and mission of providing an outstanding level of service to the public.

The 2015 funding for the part-time Permit Technician Assistant is position is $15,108 (wages only / April through December).   The 2015 funding required for the full-time Parks Maintenance Worker $32,313 (wages only / April through December).   Both have been accounted for in the 2015 budget.

To authorize staff to move ahead with option #1 above to:

To authorize staff to move ahead with option #1 above to: 
1)  To hire Ms. Ellen Krueger as a part-time Permit Technician Assistant, effective on or near March 25, 2015, at $19.37 per hour which is step 1 of the 2015 wage scale; and      

2) To hire Mr. Evan Johnson as a full-time Parks Maintenance Worker, effective on or near April 8, 2015, at $21.12 per hour which is step 2 of the 2015 wage scale and a credit of five vacation.

Motion to adopt resolution #15-03-085 to do the following:

1)  To hire Ms. Ellen Krueger as a part-time Permit Technician Assistant, effective on or near March 25, 2015, at $19.37 per hour which is step 1 of the 2015 wage scale; and    
             
2)  To hire Mr. Evan Johnson as a full-time Parks Maintenance Worker, effective on or near April 8, 2015, at $21.12 per hour which is step 2 of the 2015 wage scale and a credit of five vacation days.