Title
Adoption of Resolution Approving Workforce Changes at Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) to Add Two New Positions Effective January 8, 2017: One Customer Service Representative and One Utility Project Manager. (Human Resources 2510)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Adoption of a Resolution Approving Workforce Changes at Alameda Municipal Power to add two new positions effective January 8, 2017; One Customer Service Representative and One Utility Project Manager
BACKGROUND
Over the past several years, the General Manager and Public Utility Board at Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) have undergone a series of initiatives to facilitate workforce development. In support of these goals and to meet the direction and trends of the electric utility, staff continues to analyze and make recommendations to ensure that its workforce is appropriately allocated, classified and compensated.
The proposed resolution recommends the addition of one Customer Service Representative position and one Utility Project Manager position. The new Customer Service position is being requested to support the implementation of automated metering infrastructure and an online billing portal as well as to prepare for future vacancies. The Utility Project Manager is needed to implement the recommendations included in an outside review of the operations in AMPs Engineering and Operations Division.
The Public Utilities Board adopted the attached resolution recommending the City Council approve the proposed resolution.
DISCUSSION
Customer Service Representative
The Customer Resources Division is currently staffed with six Customer Service Representatives (CSR) and one Customer Service Supervisor. Customer Service staff provide customer service to AMP’s 34,000 customers by utilizing excellent, in-depth knowledge of the utility’s programs and services. CSRs also perform recordkeeping work related to the operational, financial and commercial records of the electric utility.
Currently AMP is in the process of implementing automated metering infrastructure (also known as smart meters) and an online billing portal, as well as the development and implementation of new policies, programs, and procedures required to address emerging issues related to electric vehicle chargers, micro/smart grid, community solar, and the Department’s migration to a more effective customer information system. A significant increase in calls is predicted as a result of these changes. Additionally, AMP has been notified by one Customer Service Representative of their intent to retire in the next four months. In order to assure trained staff are available to meet the temporary calls for services associated with the changes listed above, AMP would like to add a Customer Service Representative position to deal with both the temporary increase in calls as well as to ensure trained staff are available to provide necessary services.
The addition of the Customer Service Representative is intended to be temporary for up to two years. It is anticipated that during this period the Department will have turnover within the Customer Service Division and a position will be held vacant to allow for the elimination of one of the seven allocated positions. However, if at the end of the two year period all seven Customer Service Representative positions are filled, the City’s reduction-in-force process will be implemented.
The hourly salary range of the Customer Service Representative is $22.49-$31.64.
Upon the City Council’s authorization to create the seventh Customer Service Representative position, staff will conduct the recruitment and selection process to fill the position. Candidates will be notified of the limited duration of the position.
Utility Project Manager
The Engineering and Operations Division of AMP is currently staffed with the following positions: one Engineering Supervisor, one Utility Project Manager, one Senior Electrical Engineer, one Electrical Engineer, one Distribution Engineer, one Electrical Distribution Technician, two Electrical Engineering Aides, and one Engineering Office Assistant. The Engineering Supervisor and Electrical Distribution Technician are currently vacant and in the process of being filled.
In order to assess and recommend options on how to improve planning and execution of work in the Engineering Section, AMP had an outside consultant review and develop options on how to improve planning and execution of work. The findings focused on staffing levels and how to ensure budgeted projects are completed. In order to improve planning and the execution of work in this section it is recommended to add a Utility Project Manager who will manage and coordinate large jobs and major projects. The addition of this position will allow AMP to meet workload demands related to the implementation of the automated metering infrastructure and other emerging issues related to the development of Site A, the underground utility districts, micro/smart grid, and community solar installations.
The annual salary range of the Utility Project Manager is $105,858-$128,671.
Upon the City Council’s authorization to create the Utility Project Manager position, staff will conduct the recruitment and selection process to fill the position.
The workforce changes have been discussed with the Alameda City Employees Association (Customer Service Representative) and Electric Utility Professionals Association (Utility Project Manager) and both are supportive of what is recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
In the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year budget, the AMP Public Utilities Board (PUB) approved funding that would allow the creation of a new classification of Work & Resource Planner. At the December 12, 2016 PUB meeting staff recommended to the PUB that instead of moving forward to fill the Work & Resource Planner position a Utility Project Manager position be added. At its December 12, 2016 meeting the PUB approved using the funding previously allocated for the Work & Resource Planner position to fund the Utility Project Manager. As a result, no additional funding is needed, for this position, this fiscal year.
It is estimated that the new Customer Service Representative position will require additional funding of $34,000 to cover the cost of the new position for the remainder of this Fiscal Year. This cost will be funded from AMP’s reserves.
The cost of both positions is estimated to be $242,000 for both salary and benefit costs in the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year. There is no impact to the General Fund from the addition of these two positions.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
There is no Municipal Code/policy document cross-reference.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, CEQA Guidelines, section 15378(b)(5).
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution approving workforce changes at Alameda Municipal Power.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Bronstein, Human Resources Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1 - Public Utilities Board Resolution