Mendocino County commission approves reclassifications for sheriff’s jail staff and welfare fraud unit

The Mendocino County Civil Service Commission unanimously approved personnel classification changes at a short meeting that adjourned at 9:19 a.m.

Human Resources Manager Brandy Dalzell told commissioners the sheriff's office requested reclassifying an incumbent from Account Specialist 3 to Department Analyst 1 because the employee's responsibilities have expanded. "Her duties have increased," Dalzell said, adding the incumbent now handles jailwide purchases, "reconciliation of inmate commissary accounts," cost‑per‑unit analyses and grant and departmental reporting. The commission approved the reclassification by unanimous roll call.

Dalzell also presented a reorganization of the welfare fraud investigative unit in the Department of Social Services. She said the county will create two new classifications — a sworn welfare fraud investigator (requiring POST training) and a non‑sworn welfare fraud specialist — and change the chief's title to "Chief Welfare Fraud Investigator." "We are proposing a new classification of a welfare fraud specialist," Dalzell said, describing the specialist as an entry-level, non‑sworn role that would assist with investigations and help expand the unit without requiring the cost and time of POST training for new hires.

Dalzell explained that the existing Welfare Investigator 1 classification is rarely used because its minimum qualifications effectively require the county to send incumbents through POST training, which adds expense. She said the county intends to abolish the Welfare Investigator 1 and 2 classifications if the package is approved and to reclassify current incumbents into the new titles where appropriate; acting chief Brandon McGregor would move into a welfare fraud investigator classification while remaining the acting chief.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about minimum qualifications, probationary periods and union assignment. Dalzell said the new non‑sworn specialist classification would be assigned to SEIU; sworn investigators would remain in the Deputy Sheriffs Association because of their POST status. On probationary status for reclassified incumbents, Dalzell said if an incumbent has reached permanent status in their prior classification the probationary period under the new classification is six months, consistent with applicable MOUs.

One commissioner asked about a clerical wording correction in the chief's minimum qualifications (adding the word "years" after "3" in the education/experience section); Dalzell agreed to that modification, which was incorporated into the motion. The motion to adopt the title changes, create the two new classifications, abolish Welfare Investigator 1 and 2, and reclassify incumbents passed unanimously by roll call.

The commission also approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Assistant HR Director Denise Bartleme reported no additional HR items. The meeting adjourned at 9:19 a.m.