CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 11 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 10-1311 File ID: 26-11027 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Human Resources Department
MEETING DATE: May 18, 2026
SUBJECT:
Fellow I-II New Classification Series, Job Specification, and Salary Schedules – Approval RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to approve the 1) new limited duration Fellow I-II classification and job specification series pursuant to Personnel Rules and Regulations Section 1 (16) and San Mateo City Employee Association (SMCEA) Memorandum of Understanding Section 27.6 (Limited Duration Positions); and 2) salary ranges for the Fellow I and Fellow II classifications.
BACKGROUND:
The City of San Mateo is implementing a Fellowship Program on a pilot basis. The purpose of this program is to provide talented individuals who have earned an undergraduate or postgraduate degree with the opportunity to gain in-depth meaningful experience with the City of San Mateo while making a positive impact in our community. The Fellowship Program is designed to attract more individuals into the public sector, provide professional development opportunities to help individuals grow as local government leaders, build pipelines for City jobs, and diversify the City’s applicant pool.
Employees in this classification will be hired on a limited duration- up to two (2) years. All employees appointed into this classification must be authorized by the City Manager and shall include the reason for the limited duration appointment in the offer letter as outlined in SMCEA Memorandum of Understanding, Section 27.6.
27.6 Limited Duration Positions
City may hire employees in limited duration positions (non-permanent positions) that will not exceed three (3) years for any of the following reasons: (1) where the position is created for a project(s) or work that is expected to be completed within three (3) years; (2) where the position is funded by grant funds of three (3) or less years in duration; or (3) where the position is funded by moneys from capital or enterprise funds that may be unavailable after three (3) years. Employees shall be informed of the duration of the position at the time of employment. At the end of the position’s duration, employment shall terminate and the employee shall not have layoff rights, bumping rights, severance payments or re-employment rights.
Additionally, Personnel Rules subsection 16 of Section 1 (Definitions) defines “Limited Duration Positions” as non- permanent, not exceeding three years, and that can be utilized for specified reasons, including those listed in Section 27.6 of the SMCEA Memorandum of Understanding.
This initiative is linked to the following City Council Priorities: Work with schools, community colleges, businesses, and other organizations to expand youth and senior workforce development & civic leadership opportunities.
Offering fellowships enables the City of San Mateo to:
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Continually attract talented undergraduate and graduate level candidates to the City and establish talent pipelines that will help the City’s workforce succession efforts. Identify and develop the next generation of City leaders. Form long-lasting partnerships with local universities, which are a valuable resource for recruiting new talent to the organization.
Provide departments with the flexibility needed for when a new project or initiative arises that requires talented individuals with certain areas of expertise.
Compete with the private sector, as it offers individuals the opportunity to gain valuable and meaningful work experience without making a long-term commitment.
Allows the City to utilize one-time funds to fund limited term staffing positions to meet organizational and community needs.
The City Manager’s Office and Human Resources Department recommend creating a limited-term, flexibly staffed classification series- Fellow I-II, and to set the annual salary range as follows:
Fellow I: $72,384.62- $86,320.00 - Requires a bachelor’s degree Fellow II: $79,657.96 - $94,993.60 - Requires a master’s degree BUDGET IMPACT:
The creation of this job classification series will have no direct impact on the budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This new classification series is not subject to CEQA, because it will not cause a physical change in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4).)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Resolution
Exhibit A – Job Specification
Exhibit B – Merit Salary Schedule
STAFF CONTACT
Aracelia G. Esparza, Human Resources Director
[email protected]
(650) 522-7276