title
PERSONNEL / HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY - Executive Director Jayme Bottke
end
Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) Request approval of the revised classification specification for Health Educator (including title change to Health Educator I), within the Joint Council bargaining unit, effective 6/25/24
b) Request approval of the new classification specification of Health Educator II, within the Joint Council bargaining unit, effective 6/25/24
c) RESOLUTION - Request adoption of a resolution amending Resolution 2023-88, the FY 23/24 Position Allocation List, by deleting 8.50 FTE Health Educator allocations and adding 8.50 FTE Health Educator I or Health Educator II allocations, effective 6/25/24
d) Request approval to reclassify five (5) Health Educator incumbents to Health Educator I, effective 6/25/24
body
Financial Impact:
The Department estimates the request will result in an annual increase of approximately $14,924. The increased costs will be funded through emergency preparedness funding and the “Future of Public Health” funding, which is an ongoing funding stream that began during FY 22/23. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Background Information:
The Tehama County Health Services Agency is requesting approval to revise the current Health Educator classification making it a Health Educator I. In addition, the department is requesting approval of a new classification specification for Health Educator II.
Currently, the Health Educator is a single classification. The creation of the Health Educator I and Health Educator II would establish a classification series that would bring the positions up to current workforce standards. Health education is a nationally recognized profession that is associated with certain skills and competencies. The standards for this profession are developed through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. There are eight areas of responsibility for Health Educators with a comprehensive set of competencies for each area. Those competencies are further divided by entry level versus advanced level. If approved, the classifications would appropriately align with the different levels of competencies. The Department also believes the creation of the classification series will provide appealing growth opportunities within the profession and the Agency.
As Public Health continues to move towards the path of accreditation, workforce development, and competency planning play a large role in obtaining accreditation success. Over the years there has also been increasing complexity and state policy level work that is expected in some of the Department’s programs. While Public Health would be the first Center to utilize the higher-level classification of Health Educator II, the Department foresees potential utilization in Behavioral Health in the future.
The recommended salary placements are Joint Council Salary Range 30 for the Health Educator I and Salary Range 34 for the Health Educator II. This placement would provide a 10% separation between the classification series and is consistent with the County’s internal salary relationships. A salary survey with the approved comparator counties was also conducted and found this placement was comparable. The Department estimates the annual increased cost to be approximately $14,924. This increase will be supported by Public Health utilizing emergency preparedness funding as well as “Future of Public Health” funding, which is an ongoing funding stream that began during FY 22/23.
If approved, four (5) Health Educator incumbents will be reclassified to Health Educator I. The incumbents meet the minimum qualifications of the new classification.
The Joint Council Bargaining Unit has been notified of the proposed changes and an agreement has been reached.