The attached Position Adjustment Resolution (P300) recommends the addition and deletion of several positions within the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District).
Add one (1) full-time Assistant Fire Chief-Exempt (RPB1) (unrepresented) position and cancel vacant Fire Marshal (RJGA) (unrepresented) position number 5269.
With the recent departure of the incumbent Fire Marshal, the District has the opportunity to align this vacant position to a more appropriate classification based on the size of the agency, size of the Fire Prevention Bureau, scope and breadth of responsibilities, and reporting relationships (both up and down). The Fire Marshal position reports to the Deputy Fire Chief and oversees the Fire Prevention Bureau, which involves a tremendous amount of responsibility for mandated inspections, new and existing construction permits, arson investigations, and exterior hazard control. It is our recommendation that this position be filled by an Assistant Fire Chief-Exempt going forward.
Add ten (10) Firefighter Recruit (RPWD) (represented) positions and eight (8) Firefighter-Paramedic Recruit (RP7A) (represented) positions.
The hiring process for a recruit is protracted. After Merit System testing is completed and an eligible list established, the District must interview all Band A candidates. Band A will typically consist of well over 100 candidates. Candidates then undergo a thorough background investigation, and upon completion of a background investigation, medical screen. The recruit academy typically runs 16-18 weeks, and there is generally an adjustment period after the recruits graduate and are placed into shift assignments (i.e., before being allowed to act as the solo firefighter on a crew that consists of a firefighter, engineer, and captain). All steps of the pre-employment assessments and the recruit academy involve a certain amount of attrition. Additionally, all engineer, captain, battalion chief, and some assistant fire chief vacancies are filled through internal promotions. Those vacancies eventually must be filled at the recruit level.
Consequently, the District must plan to start the recruit testing and hiring process at least one year prior to anticipated vacancies. While Academy 52 is currently underway, the District calculates it will need to have another recruit academy (Academy 53) beginning in February 2019 to be able to have enough firefighters to fill anticipated vacancies that will occur between now and the end of Academy 53. This action establishes those positions.
Delete certain vacant, unfunded positions as listed in Attachment A to the Position Adjustment Resolution (P300).
This action deletes a number of vacant, unfunded positions within the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. This is essentially a clean up item to abolish vacant, unfunded positions that are no longer used by the District.
Delay in addition and deletion of targeted positions, which may affect the start date of Recruit Academy 53, and as a result, the District's ability to fill budgeted positions as the SAFER grant period of performance starts, Fire Station 16 is reopened, March retirements occur, and the 2019 fire season begins.