REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Approve Revisions to the Existing Staff Analyst I Class Specification; Approve a New Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power Class Specification; Approve a Resolution Adopting the Amended Unclassified Salary Plan
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Manage Strategically Our Workforce Capacity and Resources
BACKGROUND
Sections 4 and 6 of the Personnel and Salary Resolution require City Council approval of new or revised classifications. The proposed Council action satisfies these applicable requirements.
Revisions to Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796):
The Human Resources Department modified the class specification for Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796) to clarify the post-secondary degree and/or units requirements needed to meet the minimum qualifications for the classification.
The modification to Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796) was approved by the Civil Service Commission on April 11, 2024. The requested approval does not modify salary range for this classification.
Create the Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power (Job Code 179) Class Specification:
The City Attorney Office’s and Human Resources Department coordinated to create a new classification titled Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power (Job Code 179) to better support the legal needs of Silicon Valley Power. The position has a salary range slightly higher than that of an Assistant City Attorney. The proposed Resolution satisfies the requirement for an updated Salary Plan reflecting the new position and its associated salary range.
DISCUSSION
Revisions to Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796) Class Specification
The Human Resources Department proposed revisions to the Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796) class specification to clarify the degree and/or units requirements needed to meet the minimum qualifications for the classification. This revision is intended to make it clearer to applicants what educational units are accepted for the position. The specification proposes a standard of completion of 120 semester units or 180 quarter units, with a requirement for at least one course in particular fields of study.
Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796) - with an annual salary range of $102,267.48- $130,801.20. The Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796) is responsible for program analysis and administrative duties in support of assigned programs and activities.
Create the Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power (Job Code 179) Class Specification:
The City Attorney’s Office and Human Resources Department coordinated to create the new class specification of Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power (Job Code 179). This position is dedicated to providing legal support (essentially in a general counsel capacity) for Silicon Valley Power. It requires significant experience in, and knowledge of, legal requirements particular to municipal electric utilities in California. For example, the position requires: expertise with renewable energy procurement including experience with wind, geothermal, solar, and hydroelectric; expertise with CPUC Rules and Regulations, including, but not limited to General Orders 95, 128, and 165 and experience with managing and responding to CPUC audits and FERC Rules and Regulations; BAAQMD Rules and Regulations as they pertain to generation resources and their emission regulations within the City. Creating this new position allows the City to include these necessary and specific areas of expertise in the job specification, such that the skills of the incumbent can be more closely tailored to the needs of the client. This would otherwise not be possible in the standard Assistant City Attorney job specification, which applies to attorneys representing all departments in the City.
Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power (Job Code 179) - with an annual salary range of $229,913.30 - $296,588.16. The Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power (Job Code 179) performs the most complex work for Silicon Valley Power. Duties include providing general counsel services on a variety of matters, negotiating and drafting contracts, managing regulatory compliance issues, and managing litigation. The proposed salary is in alignment with the internal equity of the workgroup.
The salary range is higher than that of the Assistant City Attorney classification in recognition of the additional years of experience required for the position (a minimum of ten years for the SVP position, as opposed to a minimum of six years for the standard Assistant position).
Section 9 of the Personnel and Salary Resolution requires City Council approval of compensation plans for unclassified positions. California Code Regulations Section 570.5 governs and requires the adoption of updated publicly available salary schedules by the governing body. The proposed Resolution satisfies these applicable requirements. The updated salary plan reflects the salary range for the new position.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for the class specification modification for Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796).
The City Attorney’s Office intends to reclassify a 1.0 Assistant City Attorney (Job Code 015) classification to a 1.0 Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power (Job Code 179). The Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power position has an annual salary range of $229,913.30 - $296,588.16 while the Assistant City Attorney position has an annual salary range of $213,185.04 - $275,895.96. When considering salary and retirement costs, the average cost differential is approximately $25,000 per year. The additional cost is expected to be absorbed in FY 2023/24 and any necessary budget adjustments will be brought forward in FY 2024/25 based on actual expenditures. Through the cost allocation process, the full cost of this position would be allocated to Silicon Valley Power.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the Finance Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve revisions to the existing Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796) class specification to clarify the acceptable level of educational units for the position;
2. Approve the creation of the Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power (Job Code 179) class specification; And
3. Approve the Resolution Adopting the Amended Unclassified Salary Plan to reflect the new Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power position.
Staff
Reviewed by: Aracely Azevedo, Director of Human Resources
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Class Specification (clean), Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796)
2. Class Specification (track changed version, Staff Analyst I (Job Code 796)
3. Class Specification, Senior Counsel for Silicon Valley Power (Job Code 179)
4. Resolution Updated Salary Plan for Council 05-28-2024 (eff 06-09-2024)
5. Unclassified Salary Plan Approved 05-28-2024 (eff 06-09-2024)