Civil Service Commission recommends three-tier GIS technician series to City Council

The Montebello Civil Service Commission voted Jan. 27 to recommend that City Council adopt a three-tier geographic information systems (GIS) technician classification series.

Andrew Kim, who identified himself as a fire department staff member assisting the City Manager’s Office, told commissioners the city currently does not have dedicated GIS staff and that the proposed GIS technician series — levels 1, 2 and 3 — is intended to support recruitment, retention and expanded, data-driven service delivery across public safety, planning and public works. "Tonight's item is a recommendation to establish a new geographic information system, or GIS technician 1, 2, and 3 classification series for the city Montebello," Kim said.

Commissioners asked how many positions the classification would produce and how salaries were modeled. Kim said the immediate step is creating the classification and that budgeting will follow; the initial classified hire might be one technician with additional positions (an intern or manager) to be pursued later. He said proposed salary ranges were modeled on other technician series the city uses: level 1 at range 21 (approximately $55,000–$69,000), level 2 at range 28 (approximately $66,000–$82,000) and level 3 at range 34 (approximately $76,000–$95,000).

Commissioners also questioned whether existing GIS capacity in planning or other departments would be reused or replaced. Kim said staff would inventory current systems and data and then decide whether to update or build in-house infrastructure once the program is established.

After questions, a motion to recommend the classification to City Council was made and seconded; the commission approved the motion by voice vote (four yeses). The item will now go to City Council for adoption of the classification and determination of final salaries and staffing levels.