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ADMINISTRATION / PERSONNEL - Chief Administrator Gabriel Hydrick
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) Request approval of a new classification specification of Senior IT Service Operations Engineer within the Joint Council bargaining unit, effective 4/21/26
b) RESOLUTION - Request adoption of a Resolution amending the FY 25/26 Position Allocation List (PAL), (Reso #2025-074) by adding one (1.00 FTE) Senior IT Service Operations Engineer allocation, effective 4/21/26
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Financial Impact:
The proposed position offers an hourly rate between $45.17 and $54.91, resulting in an annual salary range of $93,954 to $114,213. To ensure a fiscally responsible launch, the first year of the program will be entirely supported by one-time Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) funds, requiring no immediate contribution from the General Fund. Moving into the second year and beyond, the program is designed to become financially self-sustaining by consolidating IT operations and bringing previously outsourced services in-house, the County will realize significant internal savings. These operational efficiencies will be used to offset the ongoing salary costs.
Background Information:
The Tehama County Administration Department is requesting approval of a new classification specification for a Senior IT Service Operations Engineer within the Information Technology division of the County Administration Department, and to add one (1.00 FTE) Senior IT Service Operations Engineer allocation to the Position Allocation List (PAL).
Currently, several County departments rely on outsourced IT contractors for services such as monitoring, alerting, patching, helpdesk, and infrastructure projects. However, the limited budgets allocated by most departments cover only basic helpdesk and maintenance tasks, resulting in critical gaps in system upgrades, solution implementations, and software maintenance. Average contractor rates for advanced IT services range from $125 - $200 per hour, leading to high cumulative costs for project-based work or escalations. This approach has hindered the County’s ability to address growing IT needs effectively.
Introducing a higher-level IT position will enable the County to:
1) Close Gaps in IT Solutions: Provide the expertise required to identify and implement essential upgrades and projects that are often delayed or neglected due to funding constraints with outsourced services.
2) Enhance Internal Capabilities: Reduce reliance on outsourced contractors by performing advanced monitoring, infrastructure upgrades, and proactive solution implementation in-house.
3) Optimize IT Costs: The County will gain significant cost savings over time by reducing repetitive contractor expenses for project management and advanced IT services.
4) Ensure Long-Term Stability: This role will allow for ongoing maintenance while also advancing the County’s IT environment through the introduction of modern, secure, and efficient technologies.
Creating a Senior IT Service Operations Engineer position represents a strategic and financially sound investment. This role will enhance the County’s ability to maintain, secure, and modernize its IT infrastructure, meet growing technological demands, reduce long-term costs, and provide more responsive and effective service to all departments and constituents. Further, approval of this action will help reduce contractor dependency, improve efficiency, and provide strategic IT management.
The financial investment in this position will also provide the County with the ability to maintain ongoing IT operations while advancing critical infrastructure, leading to long-term cost efficiencies and improved service delivery.
The requested placement for the Senior IT Service Operations Engineer is Salary Range 51, which leaves a ten percent (10%) separation from the Information Systems Manager position.
The Joint Council bargaining unit has been notified of the requested changes, and an agreement has been reached.