1D, Review of Pay Levels for Temp & Seasonal Positions

Home Browse Search

~ MEMORANDUM DATE: February 17, 2009 Agenda Item I.D TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Ron Moorse, City Administrator Greg Hoag, Public Works Director Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Review of Pay Levels for Temporary/Seasonal Positions Back!!round Each year, the City hires a number of temporary/seasonal employees for positions in recreation programs and public works maintenance. The 2008 and 2009 temporary/seasonal pay ranges are attached. The 2009 pay ranges were approved by the Council in December of 2008. Council member Holden has requested the pay levels be discussed at a work session, given the current economic conditions. The pay levels for these positions are based on surveys of pay levels of positions in other cities with whom we compete for quality employees, as well as experience regarding the pay levels necessary to attract quality employees. A recent survey of adjacent cities indicated the cities are maintaining their seasonal pay levels at or above the 2008 pay levels. For 2009, the Arden Hills pay levels were maintained at 2008 levels, with the exception of the lowest paid positions, which were increased by $.25 per hour, and umpires/referees, for which we compete with the youth soccer association which pays substantially higher rates. The position of Program Instructor I is unique in that it involves teaching after school and evening classes that are typically only one hour in length. As a result, these instructors usually only work one to one and a half hours per class with limited weekly hours. This makes the recruitment for these positions challenging because it is imperative that we have highly dependable staff with specific expertise related to each type of class. Experience has shown that the $12.00 per hour rate enables us to accomplish this. Our experience has been that it is more difficult to obtain the quality of employees needed with lower pay rates. Recommendation It is recommended that the pay ranges for the City's seasonal/temporary positions be maintained at the levels approved for 2009.