Title
Human Resources Department and Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Approve and adopt the classification specification for Chief Budget Officer (JCN 0142) and Wildfire Resilience Officer (JCN 4615);
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 059-2026 to:
a) Approve the deletion of 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Assistant Chief Administrative Officer allocation;
b) Approve the Job Class Numbers, bargaining unit assignments (UM), and salary ranges for Chief Budget Officer and Wildfire Resilience Officer;
c) Approve the addition of 1.0 FTE Chief Budget Officer allocation and one 1.0 FTE Wildfire Resilience Officer allocation;
d) Approve the upward reclassification of 1.0 FTE Administrative Analyst Supervisor allocation, Position 4454, to Wildfire Resilience Officer (JCN 4615), and the deletion of 1.0 FTE Administrative Analyst Supervisor allocation; and
e) Waive competitive examination and appointment requirements to allow the direct appointment of the incumbent in Position 4454 to Wildfire Resilience Officer, with the incumbent to serve the required probationary period consistent with Personnel Rule 507.1.2.
FUNDING: General Fund (100%) for the Chief Budget Officer and General Fund (20%) and State and Federal Grant Funding (80%) for the Wildfire Resilience Officer.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Chief Administrative Office requested Human Resources review the establishment of two new classifications, Chief Budget Officer (CBO) and Wildfire Resilience Officer (WRO), to strengthen the County’s executive capacity in countywide budget leadership and wildfire resilience planning and coordination.
Chief Budget Officer (CBO): The CBO classification is being created to provide centralized, executive-level leadership for countywide budget development, forecasting, long-range financial planning, and strategic fiscal policy support. Approval of this item will establish the classification, add 1.0 FTE CBO allocation, and delete 1.0 FTE Assistant Chief Administrative Officer allocation.
Wildfire Resilience Officer (WRO): The WRO classification is being created to provide executive leadership and coordination for wildfire resilience strategy, mitigation initiatives, interagency partnerships, and countywide program implementation supporting community wildfire preparedness and resilience efforts. As part of this item, Human Resources performed a limited classification study to evaluate the duties and responsibilities currently assigned to Position #4454 and determined the work aligns with the proposed WRO classification. Human Resources also verified that the incumbent in Position #4454 meets the minimum qualifications for WRO.
To maintain continuity of an ongoing function and avoid disruption to critical operational responsibilities, HR recommends the Board waive competitive examination and directly appoint the incumbent in Position #4454 to WRO pursuant to Personnel Rule 507.1.2. The conditions supporting a 507.1.2 appointment have been met, including that the position’s duties align with the new classification, the incumbent is currently performing those duties, and the incumbent meets the minimum qualifications.
This item establishes both classifications and implements the related allocation actions, including the reclassification of Position #4454 to Wildfire Resilience Officer.
ALTERNATIVES
Direct staff to retain the current allocations and organizational structure or direct Human Resources to conduct additional analysis and return to the Board with alternatives.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Local 1, AFSCME Council 57
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The approximate annual General Fund savings of these changes is $39,500 with the savings for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025-26 totaling $9,300.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon Board adoption and approval, please provide a copy of the executed Resolution to Heather Andersen in Human Resources.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Workforce Excellence
Priority: Enhance Employee Retention
Action Item: Attract and retain the best employees by providing competitive compensation, training, and advancement opportunities, and creating a positive and thriving culture
CONTACT
Joseph Carruesco, Director of Human Resources