Sponsor: Human Resources
Title
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Salary Schedule and Grade for Contract Attorney Unit Manager - Safety & Justice Service Team - Unclassified Position
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the salary schedule and grade for a new unrepresented job classification: Contract Attorney Unit Manager - Safety & Justice Service Team - Unclassified position.
2. Approve designation of a new classification to the unclassified service in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 383A.285, Subdivision 3:
• Job Classification: Contract Attorney Unit Manager - Safety & Justice Service Team - Unclassified
• Schedule: 98B
• Grade: 41W
• Annual Salary Range: $113,598 -$168,883
3. Authorize the Chair and County Manager to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.
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Background and Rationale
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Minnesota Statutes section 260C.163, subdivisions 3(c) and 3(h) provides for the right to counsel for the parent, guardian or custodian in all child protection proceedings where a child risks removal from the care of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, including a child in need of protection or services petition, an action pursuing removal of a child from the child's home, a termination of parental rights petition, or a petition for permanent out-of-home placement.
Minnesota Statutes section 253B.07, subdivision 2c provides for the right to counsel for any person who is receiving treatment or committed under the Minnesota Commitment and Treatment Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 253B;
These statutes name Ramsey County as financially responsible for the attorneys appointed to represent clients in court proceedings. Ramsey County has contracted with law firms and individual attorneys over the past several years to provide this representation. Management of adult representation attorney contracts falls to the Deputy County Manager for Safety and Justice Service Team because that responsibility must be independent from the County Attorney’s Office and the Social Services department.
As caseloads have fluctuated over the years, it has been challenging to meet these mandated rights to counsel and associated costs exclusively though contracts. Therefore, the Safety and Justice Service Team proposes a full-time Contract Attorney Unit Manager position to manage all individual attorney contracts. The Contract Attorney Unit Manager will report to the Deputy County Manager of the Safety and Justice Service Team.
Human Resources requests the creation of a new, unrepresented job classification: Contract Attorney Unit Manager - Safety & Justice Service Team - Unclassified.
Human Resources department followed its normal process for conducting the classification study while incorporating Talent Priority recommendations for classification and compensation changes that aligns with Ramsey County’s compensation philosophy and properly aligns the levels of work within the compensation structure and supports Ramsey County’s vision, mission, and goals.
Ramsey County is committed to administering a compensation program in a manner that is fair and equitable. Ramsey County will position itself at the 65th percentile of its relevant core comparators ensuring that our organization is competitive within the public service sector.
• To be in alignment with the market and consider internal equity, it is recommended that the Contract Attorney Unit Manager - Safety & Justice Team Unclassified is allocated to salary schedule 98B grade 41W with an annual salary range of $113,598 -$168,883.
• The 65th percentile of the comparable market is encompassed in the recommended salary plan and grade.
The recommended salary is based on the Ramsey County’s job evaluation procedures and policies and is consistent with county compensation policy and practices (Resolution 95-356 and the Personnel Act (Minnesota Statutes 383A.282).
The Contract Attorney Unit Manager (Unclassified) meets the standards and criteria of the Personnel Act- Minnesota Statutes 383A.286, Subdivision 3 to be placed in the unclassified service.
The Contract Attorney Unit Manager will be the first position working outside the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office to require a law degree as a minimum requirement. For that reason, the County Attorney has requested a signed Memorandum of Understanding to clarify roles and avoid confusion.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
With approximately 4,210 employees employed by Ramsey County, 40% are racially and ethnically diverse with the overall rate of new hires of racially and ethnically diverse background at 63%. This action will provide a salary that align with the county’s compensation philosophy to achieve equitable market pay. Offering competitive wages and being intentional about attracting and hiring diverse applicants who are reflective of the community we serve will have a positive impact on our community.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There is no community participation. The creation of new job classifications and salary allocation is an internal operational function pursuant to applicable statutes and rules.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The 1.0 Full Time Equivalent for this position was added to the Courts Services 2024-2025 Operating Budget. Funding will come from reallocating the existing Courts Services budget for contracted attorney services.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Contract Attorney Unit Manager - Safety & Justice Service Team - Unclassified
2. Memorandum of Understanding Between the County of Ramsey and the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office