December 2, 2025
Human Resources
DATE: December 2, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nickie Mastay, Deputy City Manager, Internal Services
Sharrone Taylor, Director of Human Resources
Subject:
Amendments to the Position Control List
FINANCIAL IMPACT: It is anticipated that positions will be filled by the end of the calendar year with an estimated remaining fiscal
impact for six months of approximately $1,010,351.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City Council’s authorization is required to amend
staffing (position control list) and allocate funding as required.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to amend staffing and position
control list and allocate the necessary salary, wages, and benefits as required – Human Resources Department
(Nickie Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6602).
DISCUSSION
The City recognizes that adequate staffing plays a vital role in the effective operation of local government, significantly influencing service delivery, community engagement, and overall organizational efficiency. Therefore, we continue to invest in employee recruitment and development. This commitment is essential to maintaining a responsive and effective local government and to making the City of Richmond the employer of choice. The following positions represent strategic reallocations and additions designed to support our goal of meeting the goals and objectives established by the City Council and to enhance service delivery to our community.
AGENDA
REPORT
December 2, 2025
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Chief requests the addition of ten (10) temporary Firefighter positions by increasing the number of temporary positions. Currently, the Fire Department has one (1) Firefighter vacancy. As the department conducts internal promotions in higher ranks additional vacancies will occur. In addition, some firefighters may elect to retire in the coming months. As we embark on the background evaluation process and the Fire Academy scheduled for early 2026, the Fire Chief desires to place enough recruits through the academy to backfill future vacancies. As openings occur through attrition, the vacancies at the Firefighter level will be deactivated to maintain a total of 30 firefighters which is our current baseline.
The intention behind these temporary positions will help maintain the department's operational readiness, ensuring that community needs are effectively met. Once the new recruits transition into permanent roles, the temporary positions will be formally eliminated from the department's position control roster, streamlining the workforce while maintaining the necessary capacity to serve the community effectively.
Estimated Fiscal Impact
Classification Salary & Benefits at Six (6) Months
Add Temporary Firefighter (10) ~$1,024,814
*estimate based on step 1
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
The City Attorney’s Office is requesting the reallocation of a Paralegal vacancy to an Office Specialist position. By making this change, the office will be able to address a broader scope of operational needs. The Office Specialist will not only support the front office in its daily operations but will also play a key role in responding to Public Records Act requests, ensuring timely and accurate compliance. The specialized legal responsibilities previously handled by the Paralegal, such as court date scheduling, processing of writs, and other court-related tasks, will be distributed among the attorneys. This reallocation allows attorneys to directly oversee these functions, improving efficiency and legal oversight within the department.
Approving this position reallocation is essential because it aligns staffing resources with the current operational demands of the City Attorney’s Office. As the volume and complexity of administrative tasks and public records requests have increased, there is a need for flexible administrative support capable of adapting to varied responsibilities.
Furthermore, shifting specialized legal tasks to attorneys will ensure that these critical functions are executed with the highest legal standards, reducing the risk of errors and enhancing service to the public.
December 2, 2025
Estimated Fiscal Impact
Classification Salary & Benefits at Six Months
Delete Paralegal (1) ~($93,167)
Add Office Specialist (1) ~$64,953
Total Net Fiscal Impact ~($28,214)
*estimate based on step 3 in range
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
Human Resources is requesting the reallocation of an existing Human Resources Manager vacancy to a Risk Manager position. After conducting an exhaustive search for a Human Resources Manager to oversee Risk Management, it has become apparent that the needs of the City have evolved. The City currently faces heightened responsibilities, particularly in areas such as Insurance Compliance and the implementation of a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Plan. Reallocating this vacancy to a Risk Manager will enable the City to focus recruitment on candidates with specialized expertise in risk assessment, mitigation, and regulatory compliance as well as general liability, worker’s compensation, and safety, including ADA compliance.
This transition will also allow the City to make recruitment competitive and reflective of the expanded scope and critical nature of the role.
Approving this position is crucial for the City to proactively address emerging risk management requirements. A dedicated Risk Manager will bring focused oversight and strategic direction to risk management initiatives, ensuring the City remains compliant with evolving laws and best practices. This change will safeguard the City’s assets, protect the City and employees, and foster a safer work environment, ultimately reducing potential liabilities and enhancing the City’s ability to serve the public effectively.
Estimated Fiscal Impact
Classification Salary & Benefits at
Six Months
Delete Human Resources Manager (1) ~$165,613
Add Risk Manager (1) ~$176,364
Net Total Fiscal Impact ~$13,751
*estimate based on mid-range/step 3
December 2, 2025
FISCAL IMPACT:
It is anticipated that positions will be filled by the end of the fiscal year, with an estimated remaining fiscal impact of approximately $1,010,351. Certain positions are difficult to fill, and as such, the recruitment period may be extended.
SUMMARY:
City staff recommends approval of the resolution amending the position control list and allocating funds, which will modify the position control list in the following manner:
Add the following positions:
Classification Department Unit
10 – Firefighters (temp) Fire Department IAFF Local 188 - Firefighters 1 – Risk Manager Human Resources IFPTE Local 21 – Executive Mgmt.
1 – Office Specialist City Attorney’s Office SEIU Local 1021- General Employees
Delete the following positions:
Classification Department Unit
1 – Human Resources Manager Human Resources IFPTE Local 21 Mid- Management
1 – Paralegal City Attorney’s Office SEIU Local 1021 General Employees
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution Amending Position Control