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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE / PERSONNEL - Ag Commissioner / Sealer of Weights & Measures Thomas Moss
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) Request approval of a new classification of Wildlife Specialist / Liaison within the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Tehama County and the Joint Council bargaining unit, Salary Range 39, effective 5/12/26
b) RESOLUTION - Request adoption of a Resolution amending the FY 2025/26 Position Allocation List (PAL), Reso #2025-074, by adding one (1.00 FTE) Wildlife Specialist / Liaison, effective 5/12/26
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Financial Impact:
This request, if granted, would increase the Department’s salary and benefits account by approximately $109,149.90 annually. The Department will utilize Unclaimed Gas Tax (UGT) funds to support the position. If additional or alternate funding sources become available, the Department will adjust the budget accordingly during the Adopted or Mid-Year budget review process.
Background Information:
The Department of Agriculture requests to add a new classification of Wildlife Specialist / Liaison. In recent years, the Department has experienced an increase in predatory wildlife activity, resulting in potential elevated risks to human health and welfare, higher levels of livestock depredation, and a substantial rise in public inquiries and complaints. These issues require specialized expertise and consistent coordination with federal, state, and local agencies.
If approved, the Wildlife Specialist / Liaison would:
• Enforce applicable federal, state, and local wildlife laws and regulations.
• Investigate and respond to predatory incidents affecting residents and agricultural operations.
• Provide technical guidance to producers experiencing livestock losses.
• Address public safety concerns with timely, science-based recommendations
• Coordinate with wildlife management partners on prevention, mitigations, and control strategies.
• Offer community education coexistence, reporting procedures and risk reduction.
This is a unique classification that does not currently exist in our comparator counties. Due to the lack of comparator classifications, the salary placement focused on internal relationships within the County. Based on this analysis, the recommended salary placement is Joint Council Range 39. This would position the Wildlife Specialist / Liaison one range (2.5%) above the Ag. Biologist / Sealer of Weights and Measures IV at Range 38. This placement appropriately reflects the expanded scope of responsibility, enhanced risk exposure, and specialized qualifications required for the position.
Approval of this position is essential to fulfilling the Department’s legal obligations and maintaining the safety and stability of the Tehama County agricultural community. Further, this position would restore the Department’s capacity to manage predatory concerns proactively, respond effectively to incidents, and uphold the regulatory standards expected of the Department.
The Joint Council bargaining unit has been notified of the requested actions and is in agreement.