HUMAN RESOURCES - S. COFFEE

1. Approve amended job description for the Assistant County Counsel position, eliminating "at-will" status.

2.  Authorize Deputy County Counsel positions in the County Counsel's Office to be filled at the I,II, or III level, and authorize County Administrative Officer and the County Auditor to sign any necessary budget augmentations to reflect staffing expenses in the County Counsel's Office during FY 17-18 (retirement, existing staffing, new hiring and/or reclassification).

SBC FILE NUMBER: 630

Assistant County Counsel Background Discussion:

On January 26, 2016, the Board approved proposed revisions to the class specification for the Assistant County Counsel, including making the position "at-will".  Otherwise, as a member of confidential management, the Assistant County Counsel position would be subject to the personnel rules regarding termination, including the right to appeal such action to the Board.

In late 2015, an informal survey revealed a mixture in the treatment of this position throughout the state: at-will, not at-will, and in one case, a hybrid, as at-will upon the selection of a new County Counsel. 

While there is merit to "at-will" status of certain management staff, unlike Department Heads, there is no provision for notice or severance for the Assistant County Counsel position.  Additionally, the salary levels and mid-career status of potential applicants may not lead an applicant towards accepting an at-will position.  At the time of posting of the agenda, there have been no applicants for the Assistant County Counsel job position, with 10 applications for the Deputy County Counsel position. Both are being advertised in multiple locations.

It is recommended that the Board amend the job description to make the position not "at-will" for future hires.

Deputy County Counsel Background Information

It is recommended that the Board authorize the hiring of the Deputy County Counsel at the I, II, or III level.   Additionally, there will need to be a budget augmentation upon staffing changes in the office. 

1) Approve amended job description for the Assistant County Counsel position, eliminating "at-will" status.

2)  Authorize Deputy County Counsel positions in the County Counsel's Office to be filled at the I,II, or III level, and authorize County Administrative Officer and the County Auditor to sign any necessary budget augmentations to reflect staffing expenses in the County Counsel's Office during FY 17-18