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Council reviews minor amendments to public works supervisor job description; members ask about reporting lines, CDL and FLSA status
Summary
Councilors reviewed proposed updates to the public works supervisor job description, discussed reporting structure changes tied to a new operations manager role, raised questions about FLSA classification and CDL endorsements, and flagged physical duty language (lifting 100 pounds) for review.
The St. Helens City Council reviewed proposed amendments to the public works supervisor job description during the April 2 work session, asking staff to clarify reporting lines, federal wage classification and vehicle licensing requirements.
Staff said the vacancy arose after a retirement earlier in January and that the update is "super minor" and consolidates safety responsibilities into the supervisor role. Mohammed, a staff member overseeing the department's restructuring, said the supervisor position will report to a proposed operations manager role that is "90% completed," and that the operations manager would in turn report to the public works director.
Councilors raised several technical questions. One asked whether the role should be classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act given physical and operational duties; another requested clarity on whether a commercial driver's license should be required immediately or allowed a grace period and whether specific endorsements (A, B, C) are needed. A councilor flagged the job's 100‑pound lifting statement and noted NIOSH/OSHA guidance that suggests lower weights for routine manual handling.
Staff said classification and licensing questions are handled through the city's personnel and classification process and that the job description will return as a finalized item after those reviews. Councilors indicated they want clarity on FLSA status, CDL endorsement requirements and inclusion of evaluation language in the personnel policy rather than in the job description.
