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Minutes
June 11, 2003
The NCACDSS Personnel Committee met on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 at 10:30 A.M. in the Mountain Room at the Personnel Development Center located at 101 West Peace Street in Raleigh, NC. In attendance for this meeting were: Dianne Gallimore, Don Pagett, Jerry Rhodes, Jackie Jordan, Reta Shiver, Shirley Harris, Jody Welch, Jack Jones, and Patrick McCoy from the Office of State Personnel (OSP).
The meeting began with introductions of Committee Members and guests. The Committee briefly discussed the meeting time and location changes and everyone seemed pleased with a 10:30 meeting at the Personnel Development Center.
As the first item of business, Co-Chair Jack Jones announced that the State Personnel Commission had not approved the recommendation to establish the Community Employment Case Manager (CECM) at Grade 65. This position class was a part of the Work First Study along with the Human Resources Placement Specialist at Grade 63, and the Social Worker II at Grade 66. Originally, the Association recommended the CECM be established at Grade 66. That recommendation was later revised to Grade 65 as some believed that Grade 66, being the established Grade for the SW II, was too high in comparison particularly in the absence of a four year degree requirement for the CECM. At the Personnel Commission Meeting, one member thought Grade 65 was too high and the issue has been tabled indefinitely. However, in response, Patrick McCoy announced that the State Personnel Director has established the CECM as a Temporary Class at Grade 65. He noted that the Class could remain as a Temporary Class indefinitely. He also informed the Committee that the CECM Temporary Class has only been used in seven cases in three Counties (Avery, Sampson, and Chatham).
In the second item of business, Patrick McCoy informed the Committee that the Division of Social Services wanted the Personnel Committee to revisit the Social Worker Trainee provision allowing Agencies to hire BSW Students who have completed all degree requirements except for the internship. There was concern expressed that having a non-degree employee performing Child Welfare Services could be a limited liability issue. Co-chair Jack Jones informed the Committee that he had discussed the matter with Assistant AG David Gordon and it was felt that this could be an aggravating factor in litigation but that there were less than ten cases litigated per year. So the liability is limited. As a suggestion, the Agency could assign such appointees only the less difficult cases. Committee members noted that this would not work in all Agencies. Jerry Rhodes noted that the purpose in this proposal was to help Agencies with the recruitment of BSW Social Workers. Appointees under this provision must complete all degree requirements prior to being made permanent employees. Jerry Rhodes moved that the Committee support the Association's original position on this issue allowing BSW students that have completed all degree requirements except for the internship to be appointed as Trainees. The motion was seconded by Reta Shiver and it passed unanimously.
Co-chair Jack Jones then announced that Martha Gooch the Western Regional Personnel Director had retired and the Office of State Personnel had subsequently abolished her position. So she will not be replaced. Also, Assistant Personnel Director Steve Davis has announced his intent to retire July 1, 2003.
Patrick McCoy announced that Employee Relations Training would be conducted in Wilmington, Greenville, and a site in the western part of the State. He invited any County that wanted Employee Relations Training to contact him. In other training opportunities, Patrick McCoy noted that the Human Resources Development (HRD) training for Managers and Supervisors and the Public Managers Course has been opened to employees in local governments. The HRD course is a prerequisite to the Public Managers course.
The Committee had previously asked that the Office of State Personnel develop sample policies for Reductions-in-Force for local government agencies subject to the State Personnel Act . Patrick McCoy noted that these policies should be on OSP's website in July. Patrick McCoy also announced that all position specifications should be on the website in the coming days.
The Office of State Personnel is in the process of rewriting the Personnel Manual for Local Government Agencies Subject to the State Personnel Act. Co-Chair Roy Young had coordinated a number of Social Services employees to work with OSP in the proposed rewrite. Social Services employees have served on several workgroups in rewriting various chapters of the manual. A draft should be available for review in the coming months. Patrick McCoy noted that the rewrite was in the edit-phase and should be available soon.
General Statute Chapter 126 (the State Personnel Act) is under consideration for a rewrite. A draft rewrite has been submitted for introduction under a blank bill at the General Assembly. The draft rewrite has been sent to County Directors twice with very little feedback thus far. The Co-chair Jack Jones announced that he really needed members to review the draft and to provide feedback as soon as possible. One concern noted by the Chair is 126A-61 which eliminates the "just cause" appeal provisions for local government employees. This statute specifically limits appeals to only those cases involving discrimination. One member was concerned that this would basically make local government employees "at will" employees. Patrick McCoy was unaware of the proposed change and will investigate the intent of 126A-61. Co-chair Jack Jones strongly urged members to review the proposed rewrite and to report back. Patrick McCoy noted that it appears the proposed rewrite is headed to a study commission.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:50 A.M.
