CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Commerce, California Approving Revisions to the Personnel Classification and Compensation Plan by Amending the Director of Library Services Classification MEETING DATE: September 27, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council adoption of a Resolution amending the Classification and Compensation Plan by revising the job specification for the Director of Library Services in whatever manner the City Council deems appropriate or leave the classification as is and authorize staff to commence the recruitment for said position.
BACKGROUND:
As the City Council is aware, the Human Resources Department periodically reviews classification specifications and recommends changes to the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan.
Given that the previous Director of Library Services retired in September 2022, a review of the position classification specifications is appropriate prior to recruiting for the Director of Library Services vacancy.
The City Council may recall that it underwent a similar exercise this summer after the Director of Public Works transitioned out of the City. Thus, staff is putting forward this item in the event that the City Council wishes to consider changes related to the minimum requirements such as educational requirements similar to what was reviewed for the Director of Public Works position and based on benchmark data.
ANALYSIS:
Los Angeles County Agencies Reviewed:
Nine (9) cities in the County of Los Angeles were benchmarked for the Director of Library Services position based on information that was published for this classification and with the understanding that the position is not an exact benchmark match compared to other cities since each position at each agency may have a larger span of control, different responsibilities, budget, etc. Additionally, most library services in Los Angeles are under the LA County Library System. For the purposes of understanding what other agencies are requiring for the minimum qualifications for the Education and Experience, this information is in the “Director of Library Benchmark Information” document for reference and summarized as follows:
Five (5) of the Nine (9) agencies reviewed did require a Master’s in Library Science degree.
Four (4) of the Nine (9) agencies reviewed did not require a Master’s in Library Science degree and stated that professional experience may be used in lieu of a Master’s degree/degree requirement.
The City of Commerce previously required the Master’s in Library Science degree. That requirement was eliminated in 2012, prior to when the prior director was appointed to the position. It is worth noting that currently there are existing positions that report to the Director of Library Services that require the Master’s in Library Science, whereas the Director does not have the same requirement.
Options to Consider:
Based on the analysis, there are various options that the City Council may consider in order to successfully recruit the most qualified candidate for the Director of Library Services vacancy:
Currently, the job specification, which is attached herein, states the following for “Education and Experience”:
“Education and Experience: Master’s Degree in Library Science is strongly preferred. A Bachelor’s or higher degree and equivalent professional experience as a Librarian may be substituted for the Master of Library Science degree, AND five year’s public library program management and supervisory experience.
Option 1: Do not make any modifications to the job specification and leave as is, which does not require a Master’s in Library Science and requires a Bachelor’s degree with relevant experience. All other language in the job specification remains the same.
Option 2: Amend the job specification by changing the Education Requirement from a Master’s in Library Science as a “preferred” requirement to a “required” requirement. The language would change as follows: Master’s Degree in Library Science is required. A Bachelor’s degree AND five year’s public library program management and supervisory experience required.
All other language in the job specification remains the same. Please note that the job specification prior to 2012 required the Master’s in Library Science.
Option 3: Amend the job specification by modifying the Education and Experience Requirement section to requiring a master’s degree in Library Science or a related field, in addition to the Bachelor’s Degree requirement, library experience and supervisory experience as written. The language would change as follows: “Master’s Degree in Library Science, Library and Information Services, Business or Public Administration, or related field required. A Bachelor’s degree AND five year’s public library program management and supervisory experience is required.” Option 4: Alternative options based on Council direction.
Recruitment Process:
The City at times engages with executive recruitment firms to recruit for executive positions; however, in an effort to keep costs low, City staff recommends undertaking the recruitment for this vacancy with current staff resources and only consider a further investment should the opening fail to recruit candidates deemed suitable by the City Council. This is consistent with the approach taken with the Public Works Director recruitment. Further, the market for the contemplated position is not deemed to be as competitive at this time as Public Works. It is also worth noting that there could be several internal candidates who would meet the minimum qualifications of this position, unlike Public Works, which further supports the proposed recruitment process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If this recruitment is opened in the manner outlined above using existing resources, rather than an Executive Search Firm, the department would need at most require $4,000 to advertise on various job boards. There are no salary changes contemplated or recommended for the Director of Library Services at this time.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation (Approve one of the options provided) Reject staff recommendation
Provide staff with further direction
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda report relates to the 2016 City of Commerce Strategic Guiding Principle – City Organization, as follows: Establish clear expectations, roles and responsibilities for all employees, elected officials, appointed commissioners and committee members, and volunteers.
ATTACHMENTS:
Director of Library Services Job Specification
Director of Library LA County Benchmark Information
Resolution
Respectfully submitted by: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager Recommended by: Ela Pappo, Director of Human Resources