ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
11.	AUTHORIZE A CHANGE TO THE ORGANIZATION CHART ADDING A COMMUNITY RELATIONS LIAISON POSITION AND CHANGING THE PROJECT MANAGER/PUBLIC INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE POSITION’S TITLE TO PROJECT MANAGER
Meeting Date:			June 18, 2011	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			Darby Fuerst,	Program:	Personnel
			General Manager	Line Item No.:	Costs
Prepared By:			Cynthia Schmidlin	Cost Estimate:	$77,470
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on July 11, 2011 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The Public Outreach Committee has recommended a new Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) position entitled Community Relations Liaison. This position would be added to the District organization chart under the General Manager’s Office (Exhibit 11-A). The FY 2011-2012 budget included a potential community relations position, but did not formally authorize it (Exhibit 11-B).

The Community Relations Liaison would be responsible for planning and conducting the District’s community relations program, designed to inform the public about MPWMD activities and how they benefit water customers and the environment. The incumbent of this position will be dedicated to maintaining and improving the District’s relationship with the public, ensuring public education and promoting community involvement. Some of the specific functions of the position will be to represent the District at meetings and community functions, meeting with businesses, other agencies, and public/private interest groups; to work with other staff members in the planning and organization of community outreach events; to design, write and coordinate production and distribution of District publications; and to develop and maintain the District’s social media presence. The entire job description is attached as (Exhibit 11-C).

The position would be placed at Range 28 on the District’s salary chart. This placement would be consistent in maintaining internal relationships with other MPWMD job classifications, their requirements, and level of responsibility. The salary range would be competitive, while on the lower end of that offered by other agencies for comparable positions. The position will be hired at Step A.

The incumbent will also serve as the District’s Public Information Representative. This function has been an occasional responsibility for the District’s Project Manager. Addition of the new Community Relations Liaison position would require changing the title of the former position from Project Manager/Public Information Representative to Project Manager (Exhibit 11-A). This change would better represent the Project Manager’s responsibility level and already time-consuming duties within the Planning and Engineering Division.

In addition to the Project Manager, various District staff members have performed outreach duties in the past, and will continue to coordinate with the Community Relations Liaison in the future. However, these outreach duties have always had minor importance in comparison with the essential functions of their jobs. Consultants have also been hired, particularly in relation to the creation of District publications. However, no part-time consultant with several other clients can be expected to dedicate their time and priorities to the District in the manner that effective performance of these important duties would require.

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize a change to the District Organization Chart adding the Community Relations Liaison position. Change the Project Manager/Public Information Representative position’s title on the Organization Chart to Project Manager.

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: $86,637 in total compensation for a community relations position is included in the FY 2012 budget. If the position were to be hired at the beginning of September and employed for 10 months during the fiscal year, the cost would be $77,470.

EXHIBITS

11-A Proposed Organization Chart

11-B Current Organization Chart

11-C Community Relations Liaison Job Description

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