Discussion:
The Engineering Department currently has a vacant Senior Engineering Technician position, which the Department has been unsuccessful in recruiting talented candidates. This position has been challenging to fill metro wide, due to the decreasing candidate pool size. The tasks that were anticipated to be completed by this vacant position include: right-of-way management/inspection, development infrastructure inspection, and preparing plans and specifications for public improvements. The Engineering Department has been successful in completing these tasks by assigning this work to graduate engineers, seasonal interns, and consultants.
In lieu of filling this vacancy, it is recommended to reallocate this vacant position to support the City’s efforts in Water Resources Management by creating a Water Resources-Environmental Technician position. This position would report directly to the Water Resources-Environmental Engineer and would be responsible for:
- Fulfilling the City’s administrative requirements of our MS4 NPDES Permit
- Completing erosion control inspections for development and public improvement projects (including documenting inspections, submitting to the MPCA and tracking inspection reports for compliance with the Permit)
- Reviewing and designing erosion control plans for development and public improvements
- Forestry/EAB management
- Managing and enforcing the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA)
These tasks all are currently assigned to the Water Resources-Environmental Engineer, among many others. To continue to provide effective public services, meet the requirements of the City’s MS4 Permit, maintain and improve the City’s natural resources and implement goals from Envision Shakopee, this position is necessary to establish.
Using our existing compensation model, this position has been internally reviewed and evaluated for placement on the city’s pay plan. The job description is an important starting place in determining this placement.
Placement is based on multiple factors including: the amount of education and knowledge required for the position, level of responsibility and accountability, complexity and mental effort, the level of public contact and interpersonal communications, and the normal working environment.
Upon review by the Finance Director, Human Resources Director and Assistant City Administrator, the position of Water Resources-Environmental Technician was graded at 336 points, which equated to Grade 150 on the Pay Plan.