REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Approve Various Modifications to Existing Unclassified and Classified Classification Specifications, Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Public Safety Non-Sworn Employees Association (Unit 10), Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), Local 1171 (Unit 1), and Adopt a Resolution to Update the Classified 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 the creation of new classifications, the combining or other modification of existing classifications, and the deletion of existing classifications.
Modifications to Principal Power Analyst Class Specification
The Electric Utility Department coordinated with the Human Resources Department to update the Principal Power Analyst (Job Code 145) classification (class) specification. Revisions include administrative updates throughout the classification, including adding the Class Summary, Distinguishing Characteristics, and Desirable Qualifications sections. The Minimum Qualifications section was updated to add in an Acceptable Substitution section for additional years of experience to substitute for the degree. Revisions to the Typical Duties, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, and Supervision Received sections were updated to reflect the current requirements of the job.
These modifications were approved by Unit 9.
Modifications to the Accounting Technician Series Class Specifications
The Human Resources Department and Finance Department coordinated to update the Accounting Technician I/II (Job Code 216/217) class specifications. Revisions include administrative updates throughout the classifications including adding the Class Summary and Distinguishing Characteristics sections.
The Minimum Qualifications section was updated in both classifications to remove the required post-secondary education requirement. The Accounting Technician I (Job Code 216) is proposed to require two (2) years of experience in finance and accounting and the Accounting Technician II (Job Code 217) is proposed to require three (3) years of experience in finance and accounting. These are paraprofessional clerical classifications, where the emphasis on experience is determined to be more valuable over formal education. The Acceptable Substitution section will still allow flexibility for candidates who have a college degree or coursework to qualify for the position, without requiring experience.
These modifications were approved by Unit 578 prior to approval by the Civil Service Commission on April 10, 2025.
Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Public Safety Non-Sworn Employees Association (Unit 10) that modifies the class specifications for the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher
The City has experienced an ongoing vacancy rate (38%) in the Communications Center in the Police Department. The Police Department has explored various recruitment efforts to attract and retain candidates in the Public Safety Dispatching series. There are currently two (2) vacancies in the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher (Job Code 725) classification. In an effort to recruit candidates, the Human Resources Department and Police Department coordinated to update the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher (Job Code 725) classification on a one-time basis for the calendar 2025.
The Senior Public Safety Dispatcher (Job Code 725) is proposed to be updated on a one-time basis (for the duration of calendar year 2025) to remove the requirement of three (3) years of experience with the City of Santa Clara Police Department. This will allow the Department to recruit external candidates for these positions. The City will post an ongoing recruitment through the remainder of the calendar year, with a list expiration no later than December 2026. After this recruitment concludes at the end of calendar year 2025, the minimum qualifications will revert to three (3) years of experience with the City of Santa Clara Police Department (beginning in calendar year 2026).
The City coordinated with the Public Safety Non-Sworn Employees Association (Unit 10) to enter into a Side Letter Agreement to make this change. These modifications were approved by the Civil Service Commission on April 10, 2025.
Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), Local 1171 (Unit 1) that modifies the Classified Salary Plan to add the Firefighter I Training Division (Job Code 487T) Class Specification
Currently, the City’s salary plan provides for different classifications represented by IAFF Local 1171, or Unit 1, to perform work in the Fire Department’s Training Division and on a 40-hour per week schedule, instead of the shift schedule of 48-hours per shift. However, there was no mechanism to allow employees in the Firefighter I (Job Code 487) classification to perform work in the training division on a 40-hour per week schedule, unlike Firefighter II Training Division (Job Code 480T) or Fire Captain - Training (Job Code 475T). The Fire Department has identified that having employees in the Firefighter I (Job Code 487) classification would be useful to both the Department and the academy participants in light of these employees having recently completed the academy. Accordingly, the City and Unit 1 reached a Side Letter Agreement to allow for an employee in the Firefighter I (Job Code 487) classification to perform work in the training division as a Firefighter I Training Div (Job Code 487T) on a 40-hour per week schedule, including the adjustment in pay during this assignment consistent with the Firefighter II Training Division (Job Code 480T), and update the classified salary plan accordingly.
Update the Classified Salary Plan
Per the aforementioned Side Letter with Unit 1, the City will adopt a resolution to update the Classified Salary Plan to add Firefighter I Training Div (Job Code 487T).
DISCUSSION
Modifications to Principal Power Analyst Class Specification
The Electric Utility Department coordinated with the Human Resources Department to update the class specification for Principal Power Analyst (Job Code 154). The requested approval does not modify the salary ranges for the classification.
Principal Power Analyst (Job Code 154) with an annual salary range of $162,658.08 - $210,481.32. The Principal Power Analyst is a professional management position in the unclassified service responsible for managing the Resource Management and Customer Engagement operations relating to the purchase and sale of wholesale electric power, retail electric rate setting, cost recovery, and the necessary documentation and auditing of regular, complex transactions.
Modifications to the Accounting Technician I/II Class Specifications
The Finance Department coordinated with the Human Resources Department to update the class specifications for Accounting Technician I (Job Code 648) and Accounting Technician II (Job Code 217). The requested approval does not modify the salary ranges for the classification.
Accounting Technician I (Job Code 216) - with an annual salary range of $78,600.72 - $100,518.12. This is the entry-level class within the Accounting Technician series in the classified service. Performs basic accounting work including the maintenance of financial records, systems or transactions. Interfaces with other City departments, auditors, business entities, governmental jurisdictions and general public, giving and receiving information regarding area of financial responsibility.
Accounting Technician II (Job Code 217) - with an annual salary range of $82,479.24 - $105,722.40. This is the second level classification in the Accounting Technician series. Performs advanced paraprofessional accounting work including the maintenance of financial records, systems or transactions. Interfaces with other City departments, auditors, business entities, governmental jurisdictions and general public, giving and receiving information regarding area of financial responsibility. May perform the most complex payroll processing work in an assigned department.
Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Public Safety Non-Sworn Employees Association (Unit 10) that modifies the class specification for Senior Public Safety Dispatcher
Per the proposed Side Letter Agreement, the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher (Job Code 725) class specification was updated to incorporate revisions to the minimum qualifications to aide in recruitment efforts for calendar year 2025. The requested approval does not modify the salary range for these classifications.
Senior Public Safety Dispatcher (Job Code 725) - with an annual salary range of $129,374.88 - $165,562.08. This classification supervises the work of employees responsible for providing the full scope of dispatching operations on an assigned shift. Duties include but are not limited to, providing input on division policies and procedures, resolve most complex dispatching calls, and supervising Public Safety Dispatcher I/II’s. Incumbents perform the full range of dispatch duties.
Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), Local 1171 (Unit 1) that modifies the Classified Salary Plan to add the Firefighter I Training Div (Job Code 487T) Class Specification
Per the proposed Side Letter Agreement, the Firefighter I Training Div (Job Code 487T) class specification was added to the Classified Salary Plan. No additional positions are recommended to be added for this classification.
Firefighter I Training Div (Job Code 487T) - with an annual salary range of $117,458.64 - $145,918.56. This classification performs work in the Training Division of the Fire Department.
Update the Classified Salary Plan
The Classified Salary Plan is updated to include the Firefighter I Training Div (Job Code 487T) class specification.
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 from these revised class specifications.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
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 or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve various modifications to the classification plan, as follows, as detailed in the corresponding Class Specification attachments:
a) Approve the Modifications to the Principal Power Analyst (Job Code 145) Class Specification,
b) Approve the Modifications to the Accounting Technician I/II (Job Code 216/217) Class Specifications,
c) Approve the Modifications to the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher (Job Code 725) Class Specification;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Public Safety Non-Sworn Employees Association (Unit 10) that modifies the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher (Job Code 725) Class Specification;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), Local 1171 (Unit 1) that modifies the Classified Salary Plan to add the Firefighter I Training Div (Job Code 487T) Class Specification; and
4. Adopt a Resolution to Update the Classified Salary Plan.
Staff
Reviewed by: Aracely Azevedo, Director, Human Resources
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Class Specification (clean), Principal Power Analyst (Job Code 145)
2. Class Specification (track changes), Principal Power Analyst (Job Code 145)
3. Class Specification (clean), Accounting Technician I (Job Code 216)
4. Class Specification (track changes), Accounting Technician I (Job Code 216)
5. Class Specification (clean), Accounting Technician II (Job Code 217)
6. Class Specification (track changes), Accounting Technician II (Job Code 217)
7. Side Letter - Unit 10 Senior Public Safety Dispatcher
8. Class Specification (clean), Senior Public Safety Dispatcher 2025 (Job Code 725)
9. Class Specification (track changes) Senior Public Safety Dispatcher 2025 (Job Code 725)
10. Class Specification (clean), Senior Public Safety Dispatcher 2026 (Job Code 725)
11. Class Specification (track changes), Senior Public Safety Dispatcher 2026 (Job Code 725)
12. Side Letter - Unit 1 Firefighter I Training Division (Job Code 487T)
13. Resolution for Updated Classified Salary Plan
14. Updated Classified Salary Plan Effective 05-11-2025 (for Council 05-13-2025)