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MEMORANDUM Date: December 14, 2004 To: Dania Torres Wong, Personnel Director From: Tom Burns, Planning Director Re: Advanced Step Approval Recommendation We have recently completed interviews for our Code Compliance Investigator III and have selected an individual that we feel best meets our needs at this time. His name is Aaron Landry, and a copy of his application is attached. We are recommending a step 5 appointment for Mr. Landry.
1. Difficulty of Recruitment
A recent list for Code Compliance Investigator III was certified to our Department. We interviewed a total of eight candidates, but Mr. Landry was by far our top candidate.
2. Advanced Step Starting Salary
At the present time, Mr. Landry earn dollars hour at his current position. A step 5 appointment will result in per hour, which will result in a comparable salary. He has indicated that he will not accept the position unless his earnings with the County are similar to his current position.
3. Years of Experience and Qualifications
Mr. Landry is well qualified for this position. He has several years of responsible experience working as a contractor to the military performing inspections for compliance with various federal, state and local codes. He coordinates with various officials in various disciplines, and assists in the planning and implementation of projects to achieve compliance. He has strong interpersonal skills and a strong technical background. His references were very positive. 4. Adverse Impact On Incumbents
There are presently three other Code Compliance Officer III’s on staff. All are already at the top step of their salary range, so this appointment will not adversely affect any other incumbents.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in completing this appointment. Please contact me if you need any additional information.
APPROVED: __________________________________________ Date: __________________ Dania Torres-Wong ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ County of Santa Cruz PLANNING DEPARTMENT INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE DATE: July 2, 2001 TO: Susan Mauriello, County Administrative Officer FROM: Alvin D. James, Planning Director SUBJECT: Sixth Step Appointment Request As you are aware, we are currently interviewing for three planning technician vacancies in the Planning Department. A new position was added in the budget to staff the Aptos Permit Center; a 3/4 time position in our Code Compliance Section was increased to full time in the budget; and the remaining vacancy occurred when we recently promoted one of the planning technicians to a resource planner position. We have selected an individual to fill one of these vacancies- Vince LoFranco. We are requesting a step 6 approval for Mr LoFranco. Until very recently, Mr LoFranco owned and operated his own Termite and Pest Control Company in Santa Cruz County. He is thoroughly familiar with construction practices and has worked with all of the local planning agencies. Vince has decided to pursue a career in public service, so he is presently phasing out of the termite business. He is a licensed contractor, and is also ICBO certified (International Conference of Building Officials). He has attended Cabrillo College and San Jose State University, and is pursuing his degree in business. He currently has two offers of employment from the City of San Jose- one at $46,000 and the other at $52,000 annually. The sixth step of Planning Technician results in annual pay of $36,296. Vince has indicated that his preference is to work in Santa Cruz County, and we are hoping that he will choose to stay and work in Santa Cruz. Difficulty of Recruitment- There are many qualified candidates on the Planning Technician list, but Vince has a unique background and a very strong customer service orientation that makes him a very strong candidate. He has expressed interest in working in our Code Compliance Section, where one of the vacancies exists. His technical background, problem solving abilities, and public contact skills will be perfect for this position. Advance Step Starting Salary- As the owner of his own business, Mr LoFranco earned a great deal more than he can as a Planning Technician, but he is willing to take a cut in pay in order to start a new career. As noted above, he is entertaining two other offers of employment from the City of San Jose- one at $46,000 and the other at $52,000 annually. The sixth step of the Planning Technician range results in annual pay of $36,292. His years of experience as contractor and owner/operator of a pest control company, coupled with his educational background and public service skills, merits this advanced step appointment. Years of Experience and Unusual Qualifications- Vince has over ten years of experience in the private sector, is ICBO certified, has worked with our Department as a “client”, and has a very strong customer orientation. His combination of experience and skills makes him uniquely qualified for this position. . Adverse Impact on Other Employees- A sixth step appointment for Mr LoFranco will not have an adverse impact on any other department employees. There are six other incumbent Planning Technicians: one is at step 7; two are at step 6; two are at step 4; and one is at step 3. Mr. LoFranco’s background and experience justifies this advanced step appointment. We are most anxious to move forward with this appointment. Our Code Compliance Section could use his assistance, and since Mr LoFranco has other offers of employment at a higher rate of pay, we need to act quickly to make him an offer of employment. Your assistance is appreciated. Recommended: Approved: ______________________ _________________________ Dania Torres-Wong Susan A. Mauriello Personnel Director County Administrative Officer ______________ ______________ Date Date ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
MEMORANDUM Date: May 18, 2007 To: Personnel From: Tom Burns, Planning Director Re: Advance Step Placement for Robin Woodman We have recently completed interviews for our half-time Plan Checker position and have selected an individual that we feel best meets our needs at this time. Her name is Robin Woodman. We are offering a Step 3 appointment.
1. Difficulty of Recruitment
Personnel certified a list. In all, there were 11 candidates, 10 of which were willing to interview with us.
2. Advanced Step Starting Salary
Ms. Woodman has over 20 years of experience in the building industry, including experience as a building inspector, plans examiner, and building designer. She worked for the City of Foster City for several years, and ran her own design company. She retired from full-time employment in 1995, at which time she was earning over $35 an hour. Since then, she is working part-time as a designer, and her earnings fluctuate. A step 3 appointment would place her at $28.11 per hour, a salary she is willing to accept.
3. Years of Experience and Qualifications
As noted, Ms. Woodman has over 20 years of experience that encompasses both field inspections and plans review of all types of construction. She has extensive public contact experience and skills. She also had numerous professional certifications demonstrating a broad understanding of and competency in multiple construction codes. Her past experience demonstrates her ability to communicate effectively with professionals- architects and engineers- and perform the detailed work expected of a plans checker. Her references were solid. Ms. Woodman could easily be appointed at step 7, but she is willing to start at a lower rate of pay since she is re-entering public service.
4. Adverse Impact On Incumbents
All other Plans Checkers are at higher steps. Therefore, this appointment will have no adverse impact. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE
DATE: June 21, 2002 TO: Dania Torres-Wong, Personnel Director FROM: Alvin D. James, Planning Director SUBJECT: ADVANCED STEP APPROVAL RECOMMENDATION
We have recently completed interviews for our Typist Clerk III vacancy and have selected an individual that we feel best meets our needs at this time. Her name is Nell and a copy of her application is attached. We are recommending a step 7 appointment, due to her exceptional qualifications. 1. Difficulty of Recruitment There is no current eligibility list for Typist Clerk III. We did interview one candidate off of the transfer list, but that individual did not meet our needs. For this reason, we are requesting the provisional appointment of Nell, along with a step 7 advanced step appointment. 2. Advanced Step Starting Salary At the present time, Ms Nell earns $25-$30 dollars an hour, depending on whether she is performing clerical tasks or planning duties. A step 7 appointment will result per hour, which will still result in a reduction in pay for Ms.Nell
3. Years of Experience and Qualifications Ms.Nell. is exceptionally well qualified for this position. She has extensive experience with a private, local land use-consulting firm. She was the County Planning Directors Secretary from to. She has other public agency experience as well. In short, she understands our business, is completely familiar with all of our land use processes, as she knows most of the staff and professionals in the land use business. She will be able to step right in and perform her job at a very high level with minimal supervision. We are very excited to be able to get Ms. S.. back. 5. Adverse Impact On Incumbents There are presently three other Typist Clerk III’s on staff. One is at step 6, and the other 2 are at step 5. While Ms Nell will initially start at a higher step than any of the incumbents, her years of experience in land use completely justifies a step 7 appointment. We do not expect any adverse reaction from our existing employees. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE DATE: October 3, 2000 TO: Dania Torres-Wong, Personnel Director FROM: Alvin D. James, Planning Director SUBJECT: Advanced Step Approval Documentation ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We have recently completed interviews for one of our Planning Technician vacancies and have selected an individual that we feel best meets our needs at this time. Her name is Jessica DeGrassi. Jessica is presently employed as a Planning Technician in our department on an extra-help basis. She has been working for us for nearly a year, and in that time she has learned a great deal about our department. She has worked in both environmental planning and our development review sections. In addition to the 850 hours of time with us as a Planning Technician, she also has a Bachelor of Science Degree from UCSC in Geology. The combination of her academic training and experience with our department merits an appointment at Step 3. She is willing to accept a Planning Technician appointment at Step 3. This will not detrimentally affect any other current employees. Therefore, we have offered Jessica the position at Step 3. The purpose of this memo is to document the reasons for this advanced step appointment. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE DATE: October 11, 2001 TO: Dania Torres-Wong, Personnel Director FROM: Alvin D. James, Planning Director SUBJECT: Advanced Step Approval Request We have recently completed interviews for one of our remaining Planning Technician vacancies, and have selected an individual that we feel best meets our needs at this time. Her name is Robin Bolster, and a copy of her application is attached. We are requesting your approval of a step 4 appointment, which is consistent with our recent planning technician appointments for individuals with comparable education and experience. 1. Difficulty of Recruitment The recruitment for Planning Technician included advertising as well as the standard outreach done by the Personnel Department. 2. Advanced Step Starting Salary Until recently, Ms Bolster worked for a private land use consulting firm, ATC Associates in Pleasanton, CA and earned approximately $40,000 annually. In addition, her BA in Environmental Studies merits advanced step consideration. A step 4 appointment will result in an hourly wage of $16.46/ hour. 3. Years of Experience and Qualifications As noted above, Ms Bolster’s experience as a Program Manager with ATC Associates provided her with the opportunity to work with numerous land use regulatory agencies throughout the Northern California area. She has dealt first hand with many public counter operations, and has prepared a variety of environmental documents. She is familiar with the business of a planning agency, and has valuable insights as a “client” of planning departments. Her field of study is also directly applicable to this planning environment. Her work experience and education are extremely well suited to this position, where she will assist the public at the front counter, provide telephone assistance, and work with the planning staff. 5. Adverse Impact On Incumbents There are presently six other planning technicians on staff. Three were promotional appointments, whose starting salary was established by the “closest to 10% rule.” Of the remaining three planning technicians, one was appointed at step 6, and one at step 4. Our newest planning technician, who was appointed at step 3, does not have the same level of experience as Robin. This appointment will not result in any adverse impact on existing employees. While there are other qualified candidates on the Planning Technician list, Ms Bolster is one of the few candidates with a degree in a relevant discipline and who has relevant experience in a private land use consulting firm. For these reasons, we are requesting your approval of a step 4 advanced appointment for Robin Bolster. ----------APPROVED ____________________________________ Dania Torres-Wong, Personnel Director |