CONSENT CALENDAR
2.	CONSIDER A CHANGE TO THE ORGANIZATION CHART REPLACING THE ASSISTANT FISHERIES BIOLOGIST POSITION WITH A SECOND ASSOCIATE FISHERIES BIOLOGIST POSITION
Meeting Date:		March 26, 2009	Budgeted:	No
From:		Darby Fuerst,	Program/
		General Manager	Line Item No.:	N/A
Prepared By:		Cynthia Schmidlin	Cost Estimate:	$2,149
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 19, 2009 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The Fisheries section of the Water Resources Division is currently staffed with one Assistant Fisheries Biologist position (Exhibit 2-A) and one Associate Fisheries Biologist position (Exhibit 2-B). Changing the District’s organization chart to eliminate the Assistant Fisheries Biologist and replace it with a second Associate Fisheries Biologist would promote the highest level of efficiency within the unit. Additional support would be available to the unit supervisor in the planning and execution of operations and supervision of limited-term staff. Having two advanced journey-level positions allows for cross-training in all areas of the unit, creating full redundancy. This would significantly improve the unit’s functional ability if one incumbent were to leave the District or require an extended medical absence. The employees would rotate operational responsibilities, with one Associate Fisheries Biologist in charge of the Sleepy Hollow Fish Rearing Facility and the other in charge of fish rescues and surveys. Both individuals would conduct the most complex research and analysis, giving the District the ability to respond quickly with required testimony for hearings and legal challenges. Such a change would also improve succession planning with the availability of two internal candidates for promotion to the Senior position.

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize a change to the District’s organization chart (Exhibit 2-C) replacing the Assistant Fisheries Biologist position with a second Associate Fisheries Biologist, effective April 1, 2009 (Exhibit 2-D).

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: Promotion of the Assistant Fisheries Biologist to Associate Fisheries Biologist would cost approximately $2,149 in FY 2008-2009. This would represent an increase of $8,596 over a 12 month period. While funds for this change were not specifically included in the 2008-2009 budget, staff has determined that the Contingency Fund contains sufficient funds to cover this additional cost.

BACKGROUND: It has previously been determined that the Fisheries Unit composition of one Senior Fisheries Biologist and two Associate Fisheries Biologists provides the highest level of efficiency for District operations. The Water Resources Division had two Associate Fisheries Biologists in 2002. Non-supervisory employees in this job series have been historically hired at the entry level of Fisheries Technician. The Board has subsequently authorized changes to the organization chart to allow incumbents to be promoted up the career ladder as their skills increase and they become ready to assume the duties at the higher level. Hiring at the bottom of the career ladder and developing employees over a period of 6 to 7 years has saved considerable funds. It has also enabled the District to bring in talented junior staff and give them the opportunity to develop their professional abilities through experience specific to the District’s fisheries program. The current Assistant Fisheries Biologist was hired as a Fisheries Technician in 2002 and promoted to the next level of Assistant Fisheries Biologist in 2005. His supervisors have determined that he is now proved ready to move on to the Associate level. This will return the Fisheries Unit to its former staffing level.

EXHIBITS

2-A Assistant Fisheries Biologist Job Description

2-B Associate Fisheries Biologist Job Description

2-C Current Organization Chart

2-D Proposed Organization Chart

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