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Case #6 PART-TIME POSITION IN THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT By: Kay McAIoney, Personnel Coordinator Background: There was approximately $22,000 for wages and benefits in the 1991 budget for a full- time Engineering Technician, in salary grade 2. In June, 1991 Staff recommended that the full-time position of Engineering Technician not be filled, but to utilize part-time temporary help to assist the Senior Engineering Technician when there is a need for a two person crew. It was further stated that the part-time temporary position would pay between $5.00 and $6.00 per hour and be within the Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PELRA) and Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) guidelines. At the June 11, 1991 Personnel Committee recommended, and was approved by City Council, to authorized the City Engineer to hire and utilize the part-time help for a not- to-exceed cost of $3,500.00. Keith Holkestad began part-time temporary employment in the Engineering Department on June 17, 1991. PERA states that a position may be excluded from membership (meaning that the City does not contribute to the retirement plan) if the position is for less than a six-month period. PELRA excludes an employee whose position is basically temporary or seasonal in character and is not for more than 67 working days in any calendar year. A seasonal or temporary employee becomes subject to PELRA on the 68th day of employment within a calendar year. What this means is that on the 68th day this seasonal or temporary employee becomes part of the bargaining unit and therefore is protected by that bargaining unit. As of pay period ending September 20, 1991 Keith Holkestad has worked 57 days; therefore it is now time to either end the position (at the end of the 67th day) or to submit a case to City Council requesting that the position of part-time Engineering Technician be continued on a part-time regular basis. An employee on a part-time regular basis earns vacation, sick time, and holiday based on the number of hours worked. They are not entitled to the monthly City contribution for health and life insurance. City Engineer Steve Jankowski states that he is extremely satisfied with the position of the part-time Engineering Technician and would like to have the position continue throughout the remainder of 1991. The approximate cost to continue on a part-time basis including wages and benefits beginning October 1st through December 31st is as follows: Remainder of 1991 ~ ~ 4 days/week $2,500 $3,800 $5,000 1992 ~ ~ 4 days/week $9,370 $14,070 $18,760