November 22, 2005

SUBJECT:      Amendment to the Classification Plan and Salary Resolution:  Add Finance Analyst and Finance Technician

REPORT IN BRIEF

This report recommends amending the Classification Plan and Salary Resolution to add the full-time classifications of Finance Analyst and Finance Technician.        

DISCUSSION

A critical function within the Department of Finance is the research and analytical work necessary to provide accounting, auditing, budgeting and financial analysis services to the City Council, City Manager, and other departments throughout the City.  Because the nature of this work is highly specialized in the finance field, the current City classifications, such as Administrative Aide and Administrative Analyst, typically assigned to  perform this type of  analytical work, are generic and do not represent the specific knowledge and skills required for the activities performed in the Department of Finance.  Therefore, it is necessary to create a specialized classification series to adequately address the staffing needs of the Department.  Staff recommends establishing the classification series of Finance Analyst and Finance Technician.  Creation of this classification series will properly depict the knowledge and skills required for effective performance of the above mentioned function within the Department, and will allow for a more targeted and effective recruitment/selection effort.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact associated with the creation of this Finance classification series.  The Department of Finance will be exchanging the positions currently budgeted to those of the new classifications and it is anticipated this exchange will occur with no additional fiscal impact.

ASSIGNMENT OF JOB CODES AND PAY RANGES

The pay ranges and salary steps are based on internal salary relationships to other comparable positions within the Department of Finance as follows:

FINANCE ANALYST

FINANCE TECHNICIAN

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through the posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk’s Office.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Approve the addition of the new classifications of Finance Analyst and Finance Technician to the City’s Classification Plan and Salary Resolution.

2. Do not add the classifications of Finance Analyst and Finance Technician to the City’s Classification Plan and Salary Resolution.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative 1; Approve the addition of the new classifications of Finance Analyst and Finance Technician to the City’s Classification Plan and Salary Resolution. 

Reviewed by:

Erwin Young, Director, Human Resources

Prepared by: Sean Tran, Human Resources Analyst 

Reviewed by:

Mary J. Bradley, Director, Finance 

Approved by:

Amy Chan

City Manager

Attachments

A.     Resolution to Amend the Classification Plan

       Class Specification:  Finance Analyst (Exhibit A to Attachment A)

       Class Specification:  Finance Technician (Exhibit B to Attachment A)

B.      Resolution to Amend the Salary Resolution