ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
5.	AUTHORIZE THE CREATION OF AN ASSISTANT WATER RESOURCES ENGINEER POSITION AND RECRUITMENT FOR CANDIDATES WITHIN THE ENGINEERING CAREER LADDER
Meeting Date:			March 21, 2016	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Cynthia Schmidlin	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 14, 2016 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) has conducted two recruitments for Engineer positions over the past six months. In October and early November of 2015, the District conducted extensive recruitment for a Water Resources Engineer. Despite one month of advertisement on multiple government, private industry and professional websites, as well as in related publications, this recruitment yielded only three applications. A highly qualified candidate, willing to accept the salary and benefits package was not found. In January and February of this year, the District engaged in an ever more extensive recruitment at the Senior Water Resources Engineer level. In addition to the advertisement described above, a recruitment brochure was created for targeted mailing to Engineering departments and individuals at twenty-three public agencies involved in projects similar to those conducted at the District. Despite the more aggressive outreach and significantly higher salary, only three applications were received. Of the two candidates authorized to work in the United States, neither had the experience needed to successfully perform at the Senior Water Resources Engineer level without extensive training.

It has been determined that finding an advanced journey or senior level Water Resources Engineer may not be possible. Therefore, staff proposes creating a basic journey-level position as the entry to the District’s Water Resources Engineer career ladder. This position, entitled Assistant Water Resources Engineer (Exhibit 5-A) would require a degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field and two years of experience working with other Civil Engineering professionals. A valid certificate of registration as an Engineer-in-Training would also be required within 18 months of hire. A survey of local government agencies listed in the District’s Personnel Compensation Policy, showing salaries for assistant engineer positions with comparative duties and requirements, indicates that placement in Range 38 would be competitive.

If this position is approved, the District would publicize an Engineering vacancy that could be hired at any of the three levels on the career ladder below the District Engineer/Planning and Engineering Manager. Each job search finds a new audience, and new qualified candidates for the higher levels could come forth. However, expanding the search to include the junior position, at a competitive salary, will encourage a larger selection of applicants that could be hired. If a candidate is selected at the Assistant Water Resources Engineer or Water Resources Engineer level, the Board would be requested to authorize a change in the District Organization Chart to replace the current Senior Water Resources Engineer position.

RECOMMENDATION: Authorized the creation of an Assistant Water Resources Engineer position and recruitment for candidates within the Engineering Career Ladder.

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The cost of hiring at either the Senior Water Resources Engineer or Water Resources Engineer level has been previously authorized by the Board. Hiring at the Assistant Water Resources Engineer level would result in considerable savings.

EXHIBIT

5-A Assistant Water Resources Engineer job description

U:\staff\Boardpacket\2016\20160321\ConsentClndr\05\Item-5.docx