REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Amending the Classification Plan and the City’s Salary Resolution to Add the Classification of Public Safety Dispatcher-Lateral and Update the Schedule of Pay
Report
BACKGROUND
This report recommends amending the Classification Plan and the City’s Salary Resolution to add the newly established classification of Public Safety Dispatcher-Lateral and update the schedule of pay.
EXISTING POLICY
Section 1103, entitled Classification, of the City Charter states that additions or changes to the classification plan may be adopted from time to time by the City Council upon the recommendation of the City Manager.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with 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.
DISCUSSION
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) requested a review of the probationary period assigned to newly hired lateral dispatchers. Currently, dispatchers with prior dispatching experience are hired into the Public Safety Dispatcher classification rather than Public Safety Dispatcher-in-training. The Public Safety Dispatcher classification has a probationary period of 26 pay periods. However, because new lateral dispatchers require a training period to learn dispatch processes and skills specific to Sunnyvale DPS, the 26 pay period probation has been insufficient for most new lateral dispatchers to demonstrate mastery. DPS has needed to extend the probationary periods for several individuals over the last few years to allow the new hires time to complete their Sunnyvale-specific training before their solo dispatching can be observed/evaluated.
For smoother navigation of lateral dispatcher training and the probationary period, we propose adding a Public Safety Dispatcher-Lateral classification which would serve as a temporary classification while lateral dispatchers complete their Sunnyvale specific training. Qualified candidates with prior police or fire dispatching experience will be hired into the new Public Safety Dispatcher-Lateral classification. This classification of Public Safety Dispatcher-Lateral would have the same pay range as Public Safety Dispatcher but would be a training classification that would provide up to 12 months for an employee to complete the required training, similar to the City’s existing training classifications of Public Safety Officer-In Training, Public Safety Dispatcher-In Training, and Water Pollution Control Operator-In-Training. Employees in training classifications do not attain permanent civil service status and do not begin probationary periods until they successfully complete training, are moved into a regular classification, and complete the applicable probationary period.
Once a Lateral Dispatcher has completed their initial Sunnyvale-specific training and is ready for solo status, DPS would request to transfer the employee into the Public Safety Dispatcher classification. The Public Safety Dispatcher classification requires that the employee complete the corresponding 26 pay period probationary period.
This classification will be represented by the Communication Officers Association (COA). COA was notified and given an opportunity to comment on the proposed classification and job title. COA met with representatives from Human Resources and approved the change.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with adding the classification.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution to Amend the Classification Plan and the City’s Salary Resolution to Add the New Classification of Public Safety Dispatcher-Lateral and Make Corresponding Updates to the Schedule of Pay Effective October 27, 2024.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
_x_ Labor or personal employment contract
___ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Delanie LoFranco, Human Resources Manager
Reviewed by: Tina Murphy, Director, Human Resources
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution