Budget committee continues juvenile probation staffing ordinance to budget deliberations

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee on Monday continued an ordinance that would add one administrative position in the Department of Juvenile Probation, saying staffing and recruitment timing are better addressed during upcoming budget deliberations.

Committee Chair Chris Dailey read the ordinance adding one position to Juvenile Probation. Supervisor Tom Ammiano asked whether the position was needed immediately with the budget cycle three months away. Allison McGee, Director of Administrative Services for Juvenile Probation, said the proposed 1823 classification would handle contracts and a growing administrative workload, and noted the department already has a vacant 1823 that has been unfilled for "a couple of years" because other positions took priority. McGee said the department is rewriting the Manager (0922) job description and plans to recruit the 0922 first, which would then supervise the 1823.

Deborah Newman of the Budget Analyst's Office recommended continuing the ordinance to the budget deliberations since an existing 1823 is vacant and there are only three months left in the fiscal year. Monique Smuta from the Controller's Office offered to help identify candidates once the department is ready to recruit. Supervisor Ross Mercurini moved and Supervisor Tom Ammiano seconded a motion to continue the item to the call of the chair; the committee continued the item without objection.

The committee did not adopt new position authority and directed staff and the department to coordinate with the mayor's office, DHR and the budget analyst for recruitment and any necessary follow-up during the budget process.