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Hermosa Beach board reclassifies risk management role to 'risk program manager' and votes to retain hiring flexibility
Summary
The Civil Service Board reclassified the vacant risk management analyst position to a risk program manager with a proposed salary range of $10,876–$13,220 per month to be forwarded to City Council; the board voted to remove the phrase 'this position requires' from the draft qualifications to allow flexibility in hiring (4–1).
The Hermosa Beach Civil Service Board voted Dec. 1 to reclassify the city’s risk management analyst position to a new risk program manager role and to remove a phrase in the draft minimum qualifications that the board said would otherwise be read as an inflexible requirement.
HR manager Tiffany Nguyen told the board the risk management function has expanded to include full oversight of safety programs, liability, workers’ compensation, compliance and safety training, and that the proposed reclassification better matches the role’s current responsibilities. Nguyen said the proposed salary grade is A37 with a monthly range of $10,876 to $13,220 and that any salary adjustments would be taken to City Council for approval.
Nguyen described retention problems: since the position was created in late 2022, three incumbents have held the job for short periods (about four months, seven months and 13 months), and the city hopes a reclassification will help recruit and retain candidates with the specialized skills required. The position is vacant and will be recruited at the new classification if the board’s recommendation proceeds.
A central point of debate was whether the draft should strictly require a four‑year degree in a related field plus four years of experience or keep flexibility to consider highly experienced candidates without an undergraduate degree. Several members argued a degree is customary and appropriate for a high‑level risk role; others said striking the three words 'this position requires' would preserve discretion to hire candidates with substantial relevant experience.
A motion to remove the words 'this position requires' passed by voice vote with Members Ellman, Wolf, Williams and Jones voting yes and Member Collins voting no. Staff said they typically follow stated requirements but retain discretion in rare, exceptional hiring circumstances; staff will bring any budget or salary authorizations to council for final approval.
The board had no public comment on the item. Staff listed planned follow-ups including finalizing the classification language and recruiting for the role once the salary and classification are approved through standard budget and council processes.
