ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
4.	CONSIDER CONVERTING THE ASSOCIATE HYDROLOGIST POSITION TO METER PROGRAM COORDINATOR POSITION
Meeting Date:			October 16, 2023	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Jonathan Lear	Cost Estimate:	Cost Savings of ($26,900)
General Counsel Approval:  N/A
Committee Recommendation:  The Finance and Administration Committee reviewed this item on October 5, 2023 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance:  This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.

SUMMARY: The Water Resources Division currently holds the employee positions of Division Manager, Senior Water Resources Engineer, Associate Hydrologist, and two Assistant Hydrologists. On 9/16/23, the employee in Associate Hydrologist Position tendered a letter of resignation and will retire on 12/30/23 after over 35 years of service to the District. This position is classed as a Hydrologist position with a ladder between the Assistant and Associate levels. Currently there are two filled Assistant Hydrologist Positions that are covering the District’s hydrologic monitoring, project operations, and supporting the Metering Program. The Associate Hydrologist supports the hydrologic monitoring but primarily is managing the well metering and supporting the technical aspects of the Water System Permitting process.

The Water Resources Division is seeking to convert the Associate Hydrologist position into a Meter Program Coordinator position. The purpose of converting the position is to restructure the Water Resources Division to place the metering program and permit support into one specified position. District rules require metering, inspection of meters, and reporting of water use to the General Manager and Board. Staffing this program with a dedicated employee rather than supporting it with the Hydrologists will provide continuity to the program and better customer support to the public and permitting process. Converting the position would allow the Program to be managed by someone not required to have an education in Hydrology but would provide support under the direction of Hydrologists to the Hydrologic Monitoring Program during busy times when tasks require two employees for safety reasons.

Converting the position has a cost savings of $26,900 in the second half of FY 2023-2024 due to the difference in salary between the positions. District Staff would like to begin the recruitment process immediately should the conversion of the position be approved so that the outgoing employee and the new employee have some overlap for training. The cost savings identified for the second half of this FY will offset the time when both salaries are being paid. When the District employee in the Associate Hydrologist Position retires on 12/30/2023, the Associate Hydrologist Position will be sunset.

RECOMMENDATION:  The Finance and Administration Committee recommends that the Board authorize the General Manager to convert the Associate Hydrologist Position to Meter Coordinator Position at Range 21 and begin the recruitment process.

BACKGROUND:  Tom Lindberg accepted his position as an Assistant Hydrologist at the District on 07/01/1984. Tom tendered his resignation indicating he was retiring from District service effective 12/30/2023. Tom has been a great asset to the District for over 30 years and has helped establish the District's Aquifer Storage and Recovery Program and managed the Meter Program as required by District Rules. The data his program generates helps to inform water use trends and inform water resources planning.  He provided excellent service to the Monterey Peninsula residents.

EXHIBITS

4-A Meter Program Coordinator Job Description

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