SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION - COUNTY OF KERN 1115 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California 93301 Regular Meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Prince, Parli & Rhoades ABSENT: OTHERS: Commissioner Thorn D. Albro, Joyce Anderson, Devin Brown, Laura Christian, Bethany Christman, Mike Cody, Devin Daugherty, Michael Goulart, Kendra Graham, Kris Grasty, Greg Ibarra, Rachelle Kightinger, Linda O Neil, Christy Morley, Edward Nance, Keri Pharris, Joe Pilkington, Mark Quinn, Margo Raison, Susan Richardson, Debbie Rodriguez, Robb Seibly, Mary Anne Steele, Emily Thomasy, Chuck Waide, Wanda Wallace, Susan Wells, Jason Wiebe, Carolyn Woolfolk, and others NOTE: Jo, Pa, Pr, Rh, Th are abbreviations for Commissioners Johnson, Parli, Prince, Rhoades and Thorn. For example, Jo/Pr denotes Commissioner Johnson made the motion and Commissioner Prince seconded the motion. The abbreviations ab means absent and abd abstained. COMMISSIONER ACTION IS SHOWN IN CAPS AFTER EACH ITEM Commissioner Prince called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. PUBLIC SESSION 1. Public Presentations None 2. Approval of Minutes Regular meeting of July 13, 2009 and special meetings of April 20, April 21 & July 13, 2009. APPROVED; Pa/Rh 3 ayes/1ab. 3. New Job Specification(s): The following job specification(s) have been created inaccordance with Civil Service Rules and established procedures. APPROVED; Pa/Ra 3 ayes/1 ab a) Hospital Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) Administrator, Item No. 1720
Page 2 4. Revised Specification(s): The following job specification(s) have been revised in accordance with Civil Service Rules and established procedures. APPROVED ITEMS B-D TABLED ITEM A TO SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 MEETING; Rh/Pa 3 ayes/1 ab a) Social Service Supervisor I/II, Item Nos. 3651 and 3650 b) Contract Administrator, Item No. 2576 c) Contract Administration Assistant, Item No. 0847 d) Property Control Officer, Item No. 4165c Item A was pulled at the request of the union. Wanda Wallace, SSS at DHS, presented to the Commission a letter from Bruce Hartsell, Professor at CalState Bakersfield. She also stated they have a petition signed by SSS I/II who are not in agreement with the revised spec. Their two main concerns are the addition of Master of Criminal Justice to employment standards and the change in wording regarding caseloads. Carolyn Woolfolk, DHS, provided a written statement from co-worker Ginny Ouderkirk who also opposes the proposed changes. Bethany Christman, Assistant Director of Child Protective Services DHS, stated that social workers are dealing more and more with families from criminal backgrounds. The addition of this degree provides the variety needed in a team approach. This is a business decision with the goal being to provide quality services for Kern County families. Kris Grasty, Director of Aging & Adult Services, stated she has 21 years of CPS experience. She explained the reason for the change in verbage pertaining to caseloads is the current language was not definite enough. She also feels the Master of Criminal Justice discipline adds to the team and brings a breath of knowledge that would definitely be a positive for both social workers and those they serve. Denise Smith, Assistant Director of Disease Control - Public Health, explained her department has a contract with CDC in which they have a social worker in state prisons throughout California. She stated she felt the addition of three years of experience as a SSS I is much more experience than an internship currently provides. Chuck Waide, SEIU, Local 520, expressed that the wording carrying a caseload is not acceptable language. Susan Richardson, SSS DHS, spoke in support of the addition of the Criminal Justice degree. She states that she has a degree in Criminal Justice. Excluding this degree limits opportunities for a diverse workforce. Greg Ibarra, SSS DHS, opposes the change of verbage pertaining caseloads. He feels the wording changes the duties and that management would make this a routine duty and not an exception. The Commission made the decision to table this issue to the September 14 th CSC meeting.
Page 3 5. Examining Schedule: The following examinations have been scheduled in accordance with Civil Service Rules and established procedures. APPROVED; Rh/Pa 3 ayes/1 ab 5024) Library Associate - Department Promotional - Library 5025) Hospital Charge Master Compliance Analyst - Department Promotional - Kern Medical Center 5026) Pre-Licensed Pharmacist/Pharmacist Shift 5027) Sheriff s Senior Dispatcher Department Promotional 6. Reclassification(s): The following reclassification recommendations are based upon analysis conducted by the Personnel Department in accordance with Civil Service Rules and established procedures. a) Schedule 5120 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES APPROVED; Pa/Rh 3 ayes/ 1 ab RECLASSIFY 3280 1 Office Services Assistant R. 46.0 2156-2632 TO 3275 1 Office Services Technician R. 48.2 2406-2937 b) Schedule 2415 FIRE DEPARTMENT TABLED TO SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 MEETING; Pa/Rh 3 ayes/1 ab PERSONNEL MATTERS RECLASSIFY 2865 1 Fiscal Support Technician R. 49.6-E 2580-3150 TO NO CHANGE All appeals will be heard in open session unless requested to be heard in closed session. Any person whose matter is on this agenda and would like that matter heard in closed session, is to notify the Commission when your matter is called. 7. Request from William D. Olcott, Attorney for (name redacted) to reschedule dates for an appeal hearing in the matter of his client's demotion from Senior Health Educator to Health Educator with the Kern County Public Health Department. The previous hearing dates of August 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2009 were set aside. APPROVED; HEARING DATE(S) SET FOR OCTOBER 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 28 & 29, 2009; Pa/Rh 3 ayes/1 ab The matters in items 7 & 8 will be heard as one matter.
Page 4 8. Request from William D. Olcott, Attorney for (name redacted), to schedule dates for an appeal hearing in the matter of his client's termination from Health Educator with the Kern County Public Health Department. APPROVED; HEARING DATE(S) SET FOR OCTOBER 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 28 and 29, 2009; Pa/Rh 3 ayes/1 ab 9. Request from John Ramirez, Attorney for (name redacted), to schedule dates for an appeal hearing in the matter of his client s termination from his position of Detention Deputy with the Kern County Sheriff s Office. TABLED TO SEPTEMBER 14, 2009; Rh/Pa 3 ayes/1 ab Devin Brown, County Counsel, spoke on behalf of the department. Both parties stipulated to continue the matter to the September 14 th meeting at which time hearing dates will be scheduled. 10. Request from Kristina Jansen, Attorney for (name redacted), to schedule dates for an appeal hearing in the matter of her client s demotion from the classification of Juvenile Correction Officer III to Juvenile Correction Officer II by the Kern County Probation Department. APPROVED; HEARING DATE(S) SET FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 30 & OCTOBER 1, 2009; Pa/Rh 3 ayes/1 AB 11. First Reading of proposed revision to Civil Service Rule (CSR) 1201.30 APPROVED; AS READ BY TITLE ONLY; Pa/Rh 3 ayes/1 ab 12. First Reading of proposed revision to Civil Service Rules (CSR) 1300.00 and 1400.00 APPROVED; AS READ BY TITLE ONLY; Rh/Pa 3 ayes/1 ab A meet and confer was held. All agreed protecting employees on active duty from layoff is good; however, the concern is how it affects senior employees. Chuck Waide, SEIU, Local 521, brought forth concerns regarding the proposed change. He stated the union is 100% supportive of protecting active service employees. However, the concern is that allowing such an exemption means it may affect someone with more seniority. He asked that other alternatives be explored. Steve Sanders, Deputy County Counsel, stated it is clear under Federal and State law that an employee on active duty can be laid off. The Board of Supervisors asked for an exception to ensure active military personnel are not subject to layoff. 13. Exception to Civil Service Rule (CSR) 615.10 Reappointment of extra help within sixty (60) days in layoff situations. APPROVED; Rh/Pa 3 ayes/1 ab Mark Quinn presented proposed exception. He stated the budget crisis has resulted in scenarios we have never experienced. The issue before the Commission is just one of the many examples of such. This exception is being requested as Probation and Human Services have laws regarding staffing ratios (Title 15). This exception would be a tool they could use to ensure they meet the staffing ratios.
Page 5 14. Director of Personnel Items: Mark reported that as of July 30 th, the Personnel Department laid off six staff, left one position unfunded and held one position vacant. 15. Commission Member Presentations or Announcements: President Prince wished to recognize the professionalism of the Personnel Department during this budget crisis. Kudos to all. 16. Adjournment President Prince adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.