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Amend the Communications Technician I, II, and Senior classification specifications
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HUMAN RESOURCES' RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Human Resources recommends the Civil Service Commission modify the classification specifications of Communications Technician I, II, and Senior.
SUMMARY:
The Communications Technician I and Communications Technician (Senior) classifications include an educational requirement of thirty (30) semester credits in specific fields, limiting the applicant pool for these positions. The proposed amendments will expand the applicant pool which will assist with the County’s recruitment efforts. The Communications Technician II does not currently include the educational requirement. For consistency, the proposed amendments include the addition of the educational requirement and experience substitution language.
DISCUSSION:
Communications Technician I/II, Senior, and Supervisor positions are only allocated in the Department of Information Technology and are represented by SEIU, Local 1021. The incumbents participate in assembly, installation, maintenance and repair of countywide radio and telephone communications equipment.
Currently, the Communications Technician I and Communications Technician (Senior) classifications require a minimum of thirty (30) semester credits in electronics, electrical engineering, communications technology or a related telecommunications or technology field to meet minimum qualifications. The Communications Technician II does not include the thirty (30) semester credit requirement and the Communications Supervisor classification specification includes substitution of qualifying experience for the educational requirement.
The Department of Human Resources is proposing to:
1) amend the Communications Technician I and Communications Technician (Senior) class specifications to include qualifying experience that is relevant to the position as a substitution for the semester credits and, for consistency,
2) amend the Communications Technician II to include the educational requirement and experience substitution language.
Expanding the minimum qualifications will provide for consistency with the Supervisor classification, create promotional opportunities within the department and expand the applicant pool.
Attached are copies of the “add/delete” versions of the class specifications showing the amended text as well as copies of the final versions.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Civil Service Commission could elect not to approve the proposed amended class specifications; however, this is not recommended as the proposed amendments will expand the applicant pool and provide for consistency with the supervisory level minimum qualifications.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Human Resources staff worked with staff from the Department of Information Technology on the classification specification modifications. On April 26, 2024, the County notified SEIU, Local 1021 of the proposed changes. On June 13, 2024, the County met with SEIU. Follow up emails were sent to SEIU on July 3, 2024 and July 25, 2024. SEIU did not respond to those emails.
Exhibits:
A. Communications Technician I/II - Add/Delete Version
B. Communications Technician I/II - Final Version
C. Communications Technician (Senior) - Add/Delete Version
D. Communications Technician (Senior) - Final Version