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Adopt a resolution amending the List of Numbers and Classifications of Positions to add 1.0 FTE Staff Analyst (Sr) and 1.0 FTE Accounting Clerk II and delete 1.0 FTE Staff Analyst and 1.0 FTE Office Assistant II (Limited-Term)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Public Defender and the Department of Human Resources recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution amending the List of Numbers and Classifications of Positions to add 1.0 FTE Staff Analyst (Sr) and 1.0 FTE Accounting Clerk II and delete 1.0 FTE Staff Analyst and 1.0 FTE Office Assistant II (Limited-Term).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Public Defender’s Office requests to delete 1.0 FTE Staff Analyst position and add 1.0 FTE Staff Analyst (Senior) position. This position will be responsible for managing all fiscal operations for the Public Defender and Alternate Public Defender, including budget development, grant administration, and capital case expense tracking. In recent years, these duties have continued to grow in scope and complexity due to new state indigent defense funding that requires detailed reporting and outcome tracking.
Reclassifying this position to Staff Analyst (Senior) will allow the department to attract candidates with the advanced fiscal, analytical, and administrative skills needed to independently manage complex budgetary functions, ensure grant compliance, and reduce reliance on other County departments for core fiscal duties. The proposed change better aligns the classification with current and future operational needs and supports long-term stability in departmental fiscal management.
The Public Defender’s Office is also requesting to delete one (1.0 FTE) Office Assistant II (Limited Term) position and add one (1.0 FTE) Accounting Clerk II position. Since 2021, the department has utilized an Office Assistant II, who would normally be assigned to reception, to provide support to fiscal operations. This utilization has created ongoing challenges in maintaining adequate front desk coverage for incoming calls and visitors. To fill the gap, the department has relied on a limited-term Office Assistant II, originally hired for short-term projects such as file digitization. However, turnover in the limited-term position has been high, resulting in inconsistent reception support.
The reassigned Office Assistant II continues to provide substantial support to fiscal operations, including for the Alternate Public Defender. Establishing a permanent Accounting Clerk II position will provide dedicated accounts payable and fiscal support, allowing the Office Assistant II to provide full time reception duties to ensure consistent front desk operations. This reallocation aligns staffing with current workload demands, improves operational efficiency, and supports continuity of both fiscal and administrative services.
After reviewing current roles and responsibilities with Human Resources and the County Administrator’s Office, it was determined that adding a Staff Analyst (Senior) and an Accounting Clerk II, offset by deleting the Staff Analyst and Office Assistant II (Limited-Term) positions, will best support the department’s operational and fiscal needs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The recommended position changes result in a projected net cost increase of approximately $24,555 per year; however, the estimated FY2025/26 net cost is $14,324 as the positions are not anticipated to be filled until December 1, 2025. There are sufficient appropriations in the Public Defender’s FY2025/26 Working Budget to absorb the increase in FY2025/26. These positions are primarily funded through the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the recommendation, in which event the Department would continue with the current positions and responsibilities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Human Resources has reviewed the department’s request in conjunction with the County Administrator’s Office and recommends the addition of the Staff Analyst (Sr) and the Account Clerk II based on the duties and responsibilities assigned and has provided the attached resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION