Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a reclassification and additional funding for PCN's 2208, 2209, and 2210 - Death Inquest Investigators and PCN 2207 - Senior Death Inquest Investigator.

The attached back-up details the funding request for two Death Inquest Investigators (DII) at the new grade minimum, if approved, which is close to the applicants' requested salaries. We would also request an increase for the other two, more experienced investigators. One would go into the existing Senior DII role and the other would fill the newly reclassified Senior DII role. During the budget process there were a few conversations about funding new positions at the minimums of 8% or 15% over the minimums to allow some flexibility for experience and no merit funding on new positions.  The Court's position was to fund them at the minimum with direction to review any requests for additional funds separately, as needed. The funding request attached is in two parts. One part of the funding is for new grade minimums and the other is for additional funding over the new grade minimums for the two Senior positions. 

After we started reviewing applications and interviewing two weeks ago, we had several qualified applicants all requesting over the asking salary. After researching, it looks like the original request discussed was more entry level for three, then maybe having one be a manager, also with only a few years of experience. When the comparisons were looked at, the salary assessed was for that. Throughout the process, an adjustment was made to require a more experienced team with a lead instead of a supervisor, understandably, since this is a new office and all the team would be on shift, but the grade recommended was not adjusted. Additionally, I would request we have two Senior roles to assist in coverage for a department that is 24/7, 365 days a year. I have spoken with the Compensation team, and they feel like a small increase would be appropriate based on the market and the advertised minimum qualifications. Below details the request to tackle both adjustments. 

• Reclassify all four positions to grades 30 and 32, respectively. 
• This moves the new minimums to us normally needing additional funding on 2 positions, instead of 4. 
• We still have to request the funding for all changes, since the new minimums require it also. 
• The two additional funding requests would be below the 15% rule at approx. 14.3% each. 
• Total funding request is $47,827.06 for the 9 months left for FY25. This includes the 2 moves to new minimums and the two moves over minimum.