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Revised Classification Specification for Community Services Officer
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Contact Person/Dept: Tiffany Johnson, Human Resources Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5640
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email - Meeting Agenda 7/31/15)
Department Approval: Serena Wright, Human Resources Director (7/31/15)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Civil Service Commission approve the revised job classification specification for Community Services Officer.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
During the 2006/2007 budget process City Council approved a part-time Fire Prevention Specialist position for the Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division.
The part-time Fire Prevention Specialist position was added to conduct annual multi-unit residential inspections. Today, approximately 675 residential inspections are performed per year at an average of 13 inspections per week. These state mandated inspections are non-technical and are conducted to verify owner information, locate and ensure proper signage (exit signs, storage signs, and no smoking signs), locate fire extinguishers and test sprinkler tags etc.
Since inception, the part-time Fire Prevention Specialist position has been under filled by the Community Services Officer (CSO) classification because it has been difficult to fill at the higher level due to the limited work hours that were needed. The Fire Department has now determined to eliminate the budgeted part-time Fire Prevention Specialist position and officially reassign the associated duties to the CSO.
CSO’s receive internal training on performing the multi-unit residential inspections. In addition, they are sent to the California State Fire Marshall Office to learn basic order to comply policies, and to earn both Fire Inspection I and Fire Inspection II certificates. The certificates are not required to perform the annual inspections, but are attained to improve expertise. Some of the other job duties performed by the CSO position include assisting the division by answering phones, assisting the public at the front counter, and issuing Fire permits.
The entry level CSO classification is shared by both Fire and Police Departments. This classification serves as the starting point into sworn careers within the Fire and Police services.
Human Resources staff in concurrence with Fire Department and Police Department management have determined that revisions to the classification specification are necessary to reflect the duties performed in both departments and for the City to attract better informed applicants.
Revisions were made to the essential job duties, and minor edits were made throughout the classification specification to provide more clarity regarding the type of duties and responsibilities that will be performed. The revisions to the specification for the CSO’s assigned to the Fire Department include:
• Adding annual multi-unit residential inspections.
• Reassigning the responsibility of collecting and counting money from the parking meters collects to the Police Department assignment.
• Eliminating the task of removing graffiti, illegal signs, and posters from public property. These duties are performed by other classifications within Code Enforcement Services and the Public Works Department - Street Division.
The Culver City Employees Association (CCEA) has been provided copies of the revised classification specification for Community Services Officer. Additionally, CCEA is in agreement with the proposed changes.
AUTHORITY
According to Civil Service Rules 3.3(a), the Commission:
• Must approve major changes to classification specifications.
3.3(a) Processing:
The establishment of a new classification or a reclassification may be requested by any member of the City Council, Commission, appointing authority or any employee of the City. The request shall be prepared and submitted to the Personnel & Employee Relations Director’s Director and the affected department head, and attached thereto shall be a description of the duties to be performed, and such information or attachments as may be necessary to consider the case. The Personnel & Employee Relations Director shall review the requested action with the requesting party and make such recommendations to the Commission as the Personnel & Employee Relations Director deems appropriate.
The Personnel & Employee Relations Director’s recommendations shall be communicated to the originator, the affected appointing authority and employee organization. If any party disagrees with the Personnel & Employee Relations Director’s recommendations, such objection may be presented in writing or verbally to the Commission at the time for consideration of the recommendation.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The 2015/2016 budget reflects the removal of the Fire Prevention Specialist part-time position and the addition of the Community Services Officer position. There is no significant fiscal impact associated with the classification reassignment.
ATTACHMENTS
1. “A” - Revised Community Services Officer Classification Specification
MOTION
That the Civil Service Commission:
1. Approve the revised classification specification for Community Services Officer