Committee approves Public Safety Community Outreach Coordinator position, authorizes advanced step hiring

The Personnel and Compensation Committee on March 23 approved creation of a full-time Public Safety Community Outreach Coordinator, CSEA Grade 10, and authorized advanced step hiring up to Step 04.

Kathy Stegenga moved to approve the request; Michael L. Essig seconded the motion. Peter J. Cirigliano, II., Commissioner of Emergency Services, said the department intends to provisionally fill the role with a current contracted employee and expand the position's responsibilities beyond the scope of the current vendor contract.

Robert L. Doss, Deputy Commissioner, Emergency Services/Police Liaison, described the expanded duties the county expects the position to perform, including coordinating across all five divisions, assisting the Peer Support Team Coordinator, partnering with mental-health providers and other agencies, planning community events and school visits, and maintaining referral networks. Doss said transitioning the STOP DWI Program role to a county employee allows broader assignment of responsibilities that a contract previously limited. He said the employee "has been a huge asset to the department in a lot of ways."

The committee reviewed compensation: starting pay for CSEA Grade 10 was listed in the request as $29.0563 per hour, and at Step 04 the starting salary would be $32.2209 per hour. Members clarified funding and contract status; Peter J. Cirigliano, II. confirmed the STOP DWI contract would continue and noted the department currently pays two employee salaries through that program, and that converting the position to county employment would reduce department costs.

The motion passed by voice vote; the minutes record "Motion carried. All in favor." No roll-call tally with individual votes was provided.