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Health and Human Services Agency and Human Resources recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Recognize that Merit System Services has re-titled their classifications Program Manager I, Program Manager II, to Program Manager and Deputy Director, respectively, and that appropriate changes will need to be made on position control for the Health and Human Services Agency for those Merit positions;
2) Approve the re-titling of the County classifications of Program Manager I and Program Manager II to Program Manager and Deputy Director, respectively, to maintain uniformity with the Merit classes;
3) Adopt the new Merit classification, Social Services Program Manager;
4) Approve the new County classification specification for Program Manager - Protective Services; and
5) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 063-2015 establishing the salary range and bargaining unit designation for the Social Services Program Manager; and amend the Authorized Personnel Allocation Resolution 067-2014 to add 3.0 FTE Social Services Program Manager and delete 3.0 FTE Program Manager - Protective Services.
FUNDING: No change to net County cost.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) utilizes Merit System Services (MSS) classifications for social services programs and County classifications for non-social services programs that may be nearly identical in the scope and complexity of the responsibilities and tasks performed, and the skills, knowledge and abilities required. These classifications typically have the same or similar title and the same rate of pay.
MSS recently revised several of their classifications, including changes to their titles. Program Manager I became Program Manager and Program Manager II became Deputy Director. These classes are primarily used in HHSA, so for consistency it is recommended the County make the same title changes to the County classifications, Program Manager I and Program Manager II to reflect those made by MSS to maintain uniformity among the employees who occupy these positions in the non-social services programs of HHSA. The new MSS classification, Social Services Program Manager, will not be brought over with the same name due to the fact that the equivalent County class would not be used in social services programs. The recommendation is to keep the old name, Program Manager - Protective Services, and adopt a modified version of the MSS specification, Social Services Program Manager, as a County classification by removing references to social service programs.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Program Manager I and Program Manager II are County classifications that are primarily used in HHSA. The change in title from Program Manager I to Program Manager will have minimal to no impact on any other County department using this classification. There are currently two other departments using this class and both have been advised of the change. The classification of Deputy Director, (formerly Program Manager II), is a second layer of management oversight which is typically used in larger departments/agencies to oversee multiple divisions or programs. There are currently no County departments using Program Manager II, so this change will have no impact to other County departments.
Previously, the County felt the need for a separate classification to differentiate MSS and County positions assigned to Adult Protective Services (APS), Child Protective Services (CPS), or Public Guardian (PG) from other Program Managers, however no such class existed. The solution at that time was to use the Program Manager I specification, assign a separate JCN and salary schedule, and use the title, Program Manager - Protective Services. Employees assigned to APS/CPS/PG were given this title.
MSS now recognizes the need for a separate classification, and has developed the Social Services Program Manager classification. Of the four (4) positions currently allocated as Program Manager - Protective Services, three (3) are MSS positions and will be renamed to the new MSS class, Social Services Program Manager. The one position allocated to that class that was used for non-social services program, will retain the title, Program Manager - Protective Services, and a proper job specification has been developed for it. The recommendation is to take the new MSS class, Social Services Program Manager, and remove references to social service programs, and adopt it as, Program Manager - Protective Services, which is appropriate for the County classification.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Human Resources
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
This action is recommended if the County wants to continue to remain consistent with Merit System Services' classifications.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Financial Impact as salaries are not affected.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Provide Human Resources with a copy of the executed Resolution for implementation.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
CONTACT
Don Ashton, Health and Human Services Director