Eddy County approves several Public Works reclassifications to align pay and duties

Eddy County commissioners approved four personnel reclassifications in the Public Works department on Tuesday intended to align job titles, responsibilities and pay.

Public Works Director Hazer Archer told the board several positions were not aligned with duties and recommended updating titles so pay and responsibilities matched. The approved reclassifications included moving a Heavy Equipment Operator Leadman to Road Foreman, Sign Shop Supervisor to Sign Shop Foreman, Vector Control Manager to Vector Control Foreman, and combining two shop positions to create a Senior Road Shop Foreman to oversee both Artesia and Carlsbad public workshops.

Archer said the changes address disparities and create more consistent pay and supervisory structures across crews. The commission voted to approve each reclassification; motions were made and seconded during the meeting and each passed by voice vote.

The board also approved a separate request to reclassify a Community Services director salary upward to $132,500 to align that position’s compensation with other department heads; the commission indicated an intent to appoint Deborah Hampton to a related role pending other procedural items.