The Mendocino County Civil Service Commission unanimously approved personnel classification changes at its morning meeting, including the reclassification of a sheriff's office incumbent from Account Specialist 3 to Department Analyst 1 and a reorganization of the Department of Social Services' welfare fraud unit.

Human Resources Manager Brandy Delzel told commissioners the sheriff's employee has taken on additional duties that go beyond the Account Specialist 3 classification, including handling purchases for the jail, reconciling inmate commissary accounts, performing cost‑per‑unit analyses and preparing grant and departmental reports. "Her duties have increased. Her responsibilities have increased," Delzel said. Commissioners moved and seconded the reclassification and approved it by roll call; the vote was unanimous among members present.

Delzel said the incumbent would be subject to a probationary period in the new classification if the employee already has permanent status in the county system. She explained that permanent status for SEIU positions is reached after one year and, if met, the probationary period in a new classification is six months.

On a separate but related agenda item, Delzel presented a study of the welfare fraud investigative unit and proposed reorganizing job titles and classifications. The commission approved creating a non‑sworn Welfare Fraud Specialist classification intended to broaden hiring at an entry level and provide a pathway for growth. Delzel described the Welfare Fraud Investigator classification as a sworn position that would require POST training. She also proposed retitling the Chief Welfare Investigator to Chief Welfare Fraud Investigator and recommended abolishing the existing Welfare Investigator 1 and Welfare Investigator 2 classifications as part of the reorganization. "We are proposing a new classification of a welfare fraud specialist," Delzel said.

Brandon McGregor, identified in the record as acting chief welfare fraud investigator, was listed as one of two incumbents who would be reclassified under the changes; McGregor's natural position was described as Welfare Investigator 2. Delzel said the new structure would allow the department to hire at lower, non‑sworn levels and grow employees internally, while employees who choose not to pursue POST training would not be eligible for promotion to sworn investigator roles.

Commissioners asked about minimum qualifications, union assignments and training costs. Delzel said sworn investigator positions fall under the Deputy Sheriffs Association and the proposed non‑sworn specialist positions would be assigned to SEIU. She also noted that POST training required for sworn roles involves additional county costs, which is one reason the Welfare Investigator 1 classification historically has not been used.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (Oct. 15, 2025): Approved by roll call; four ayes, unanimous among members present, Commissioner Whininger absent by prior arrangement.
- Item 6a — Reclassify sheriff incumbent from Account Specialist 3 to Department Analyst 1: Approved by roll call; unanimous among members present.
- Item 6b — Create Welfare Fraud Specialist and Welfare Fraud Investigator classifications; retitle Chief Welfare Investigator to Chief Welfare Fraud Investigator; abolish Welfare Investigator 1 and 2; reclassify incumbents as appropriate: Approved by roll call; unanimous among members present.

The meeting record shows no public comments were received online or in the room. Assistant HR Director Denise Bartleme reported there was no additional informational business. With no further business, the commission adjourned at 9:19 a.m.