Communications Specialist PositionCopyrighted
February 19, 2024
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 09.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Communications Specialist Position
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to switch the part-
time (0.75 FTE) Communications Specialist position in the Public
Information Office to a full-time position and make the currently full-time
Communications Assistant position in the Public Information Office a
part-time (0.75 FTE) position.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo - Communications Specialist Position Staff Memo
Conversion to Full -Time
THE C
DUjIBQTE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Communications Specialist Position
DATE: February 13, 2024
Dubuque
WAWca 914
ii
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Public Information Officer Randy Gehl is recommending City Council approval to switch
the part-time (0.75 FTE) Communications Specialist position in the Public Information
Office to a full-time position and make the currently full-time Communications Assistant
position in the Public Information Office a part-time (0.75 FTE) position.
This conversion is estimated to save approximately $5,698 in FY2025.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
SUBJECT: Communications Specialist Position
DATE: Feb. 8, 2024
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
*pAubcdy
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
The purpose of this memorandum is to submit for your consideration a request to make
the part-time (0.75 FTE) Communications Specialist position in the Public Information a
full-time position and make the currently full-time Communications Assistant position in
the Public Information Office a part-time (0.75 FTE) position.
BACKGROUND
Part-time Communications Specialist Kelli Buchenau is leaving employment with the
City for a new position outside the organization, effective Feb. 23, 2024. This position
has been a 0.75 FTE position since she was hired over 15 years ago. The vacant
Communications Assistant position was just bumped to full-time, effective July 1, 2024,
but has not yet been posted as staffing assignments within the Public Information Office
have adjusted to new staff (filling a vacant Communications Specialist position) that
joined the City in August.
DISCUSSION
The current labor market has created significant challenges for filling vacant positions in
city government. Additionally, because they don't offer many benefits, part-time
positions are especially difficult to fill with qualified candidates. By making the part-time
Communications Specialist position full-time, we will not only likely attract more qualified
candidates but also likely have better retention for the position. Admittedly, switching the
Communications Assistant position to part-time may create challenges for filling that
position, it is an entry-level position and a lower priority than the Communications
Specialist position.
When considering the budgetary impact of converting the part-time Communications
Specialist position to full-time and switching the full-time Communications Assistant
position to part-time (0.75 FTE), it would actually create savings when compared to the
currently budgeted scenario.
CURRENT BUDGET SCENARIO
Position
FTE
Estimated Base Pay
Total Expense
Communications
Specialist GE-29F
0.75
$52,535
$61,513
Communications
Assistant GE-25C
1.0
$48,211
$69,919
Total
1.75
$100,746
$131,432
PROPOSED BUDGET SCENARIO
Position
FTE
Estimated Base Pay
Total Expense
Communications
Specialist GE-29C
1.0
$59,721
$83,397
Communications
Assistant GE-25C
.75
$36,158
$42,337
Total
1.75
$95,879
$125,734
This conversion is estimated to save approximately $5,698 in FY2025.
REQUESTED ACTION
I respectfully request approval to proceed with this plan to switch the part-time
Communications Specialist position to full-time and convert the full-time
Communications Assistant position to part-time (0.75 FTE).
Cc: Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Shelley Stickfort, Human Resources Manager
2