The exempt classification of Departmental Personnel Officer was created on December 11, 2018. Since the establishment of the classification, positions have been added in four County departments: Employment and Human Services (EHSD), Health Services Department (HSD), Public Works, and the Library. The positions in EHSD and HSD manage teams that serve the two largest departments in the County. The scope of responsibility is greater than the positions in smaller departments with less complicated needs. Additionally, HSD is the only County department with delegated authority to conduct recruitments for classifications that exist only within that department. Contra Costa County Human Resources Department contracted with CPS HR Consulting to conduct a study of the staffing needs of the personnel units in both EHSD and HSD. This study was completed over a two-year period and included a recommendation that the County “should add a first line supervisor position to assist in the day to day management of staff. This will allow the Departmental Personnel Officer to focus on the programmatic requirements that have been delegated as unmet work requirements and management oversight of the division, and provide guidance in the Personnel arena at the departmental level, while providing a position that can focus on appropriate work distribution and supervisory guidance in addition to helping the current supervisor with backlogged projects/requirements and assist with running the day to day operation of the Personnel Division." The expectation will be that this lead departmental human resources position will provide greater leadership and effectiveness and accountability for accuracy in all functions of the departmental human resource function. Both EHSD and HSD have vacant positions in the Departmental Human Resources Supervisor classification that need to be filled in order to properly support the departmental HR functions. At the time that the supervisor classification was established, the salary allocation was based solely on internal salary structures, and established at a rate that would not result in requiring analysis of other salaries within the job family. Following a failed recruitment, and feedback from candidates who declined to apply, Human Resources conducted a salary survey for the Departmental HR Supervisor. The results of that salary survey supported a reallocation that would have created compaction between the Departmental Human Resources Supervisor and the Personnel Officer classification.

If not approved the impacted departments will not have the appropriate classification structure.