Agenda

Return

D.7

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	David Twa, County Administrator
Date:	February 3, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

APPOINTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 02/03/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

David Twa 925-335-1080

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: February 3, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPOINT John Kopchik to the position of Director of Conservation and Development-Exempt (4AA1) at Step 3 of the salary range, effective February 4, 2015.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The estimated annual County cost for the Conservation and Development Director position at Step 3 of the salary range is $237,150, of which $43,420 is pension cost. The annual position cost at Step 3 is approximately $58,500 less than the position cost at Step 5, at which the former Director retired in July 2014. The estimated cost of filling the position for the five months remainder of fiscal year 2014/15 is $98,800, of which $28,480 is pension cost. All costs are budgeted in the Land Development Fund.

BACKGROUND:

On July 10, 2014, Conservation and Development Director Catherine Kutsuris retired from her position. On June 26, 2014, the County commenced recruitment for a new Conservation and Development Director and on July 11, the County Administrator appointed John Kopchik to serve as the Interim Conservation and Development Director pending selection of a new Director.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The County contracted with Alliance Resource Consulting to conduct the recruitment to fill the vacancy. Alliance advertised the position nationwide but with particular emphasis on the west coast region. Ads were placed with with the American Planning Association, California Counties, Careers in Government, Western City and LinkedIn. Invitations and recruitment profiles were sent to 115 potential candidates targeted by Alliance. The eight-week recruitment garnered 37 applications.

Alliance screened the applications and forwarded seven finalist candidates for interview by a County Selection Committee on December 8. The County Selection Committee was composed of myself, Chief Assistant County Administrator Theresa Speiker, Senior Deputy County Administrator Julie DiMaggio Enea, and Moraga Town Manager Jill Keimach. Following a series of interviews and reference checks, I selected John Kopchik for the position.

Mr. Kopchik holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Science from the University of California, Berkeley. John started with Contra Costa County 20 years ago as a Planning Intern and has held progressively responsible positions of Assistant Planner, Associate Planner, Senior Planner, Principal Planner and Deputy Director.

It is recommended that Mr. Kopchik be appointed to Step 3 of the salary range to address compaction with the salaries of the deputy directors.