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Human Resources presents multiple staffing requests and reclassification proposals
Summary
Jessica Warren, Cowlitz County human resources director, presented a package of staffing requests on Feb. 3, asking the board to approve multiple hires and reclassifications across departments.
Jessica Warren, Cowlitz County human resources director, presented a package of staffing requests on Feb. 3, asking the board to approve multiple hires and reclassifications across departments.
Warren said the prosecuting attorney requested to start a new senior deputy prosecuting attorney at step 3 effective April 1 for an experienced out‑of‑town hire. The public defender’s office requested permission to recruit for a vacant public defense attorney position that is currently budgeted. Corrections requested permission to fill a food‑service manager position; the incumbent gave notice with a Feb. 21 end date. Public Works requested authorization to recruit for an operator I position at the Kalama Shop.
Following an executive session, Warren presented additional Public Works requests: a reclassification of a water‑sewer operator to a water‑sewer foreman (salary grade change to 290, a 5% increase), a reclassification of the survey manager from grade 560 to 570 (5% increase) with additional duties and direct reports, a request to fill an engineering manager position (salary grade 605), and a request to fill a facilities maintenance manager (grade 570). Warren said the requested changes reflect additional responsibilities and workforce needs.
Why this matters: The hiring and reclassification requests affect county budgets and service delivery across several departments. Warren told the board the positions are budgeted where applicable and that some requests follow employee resignations or planned role expansions.
What happens next: Commissioners scheduled executive sessions on personnel and collective bargaining earlier in the meeting. Warren's items will be processed through the county’s standard hiring and classification procedures; where the positions are budgeted, recruitment was authorized to proceed.
Ending: The board heard the requests and scheduled the required executive sessions; no contracted collective‑bargaining terms were adopted in open session.
