A consultant report says the market data suggests that the city of Chattanooga’s pay ranges "are, on average, not market competitive
across the pay range."
The study recommends raising firefighter pay an average 10 percent and police pay an average 15 percent.
Officials said they do not yet have a cost figure for fully implementing the recommendations.
The study by the Segal firm recommends new job descriptions and higher pay grades for city employees.
The 248-page study will now go to the City Council for its consideration.
Richard Beeland of the mayor's office said, "The consultants’ recommendations have not been adopted by administration or the City Council. If the decision is made to adopt the recommendations in whole or in part, employees will receive notice of their position title and their pay grade. Employees will then have an opportunity to appeal before pay assignments are made.
"We appreciate the hard work and input our employees have provided in this study."
The study, which was made available on Thursday morning on the city's website, says city pay ranges, on average, are below market 80 benchmarks. It says only 33 are at or above average.
Comparing the city’s midpoint pay rates by job title to the average midpoint pay rates of the responding jurisdictions, Segal found that:
- 28 job titles are more than 5% below the market midpoint
- 18 job titles are within +/- 5% of the market midpoint
- 4 job titles are more than 5% above the market midpoint
Comparing the city’s midpoint pay rates by job title to the average midpoint pay rates of the published surveys, Segal found that:
- 17 job titles are more than 5% below the market midpoint
- 9 job titles are within +/- 5% of the market midpoint
- 2 job titles are more than 5% above the market midpoint
- 2 job titles had no pay range data
Segal recommends the city fully adopt and implement the following:
- The proposed classification structure
- New job descriptions
The report also says, "The city might consider decreasing the amount of employer contributions for medical benefits and consider offering dental and vision plans."
In consultation with the city’s project team, Segal developed a customized survey instrument that was distributed to 26 jurisdictions (locally and regionally) identified by Segal and the project team as representing its competitive labor market.
These included:
City of Akron, OH
City of Lubbock, TX
Athens-Clarke County, GA
City of Memphis, TN
City of Charleston, SC
City of Raleigh, NC
City of Baton Rouge, LA
City of Savannah, GA
City of Charlotte, NC
City of Shreveport, LA
City of Columbia, SC
City of Springfield, MO
City of Columbus, GA
City of Tallahassee, FL
City of Durham, NC
Hamilton County, TN
City of Huntsville, AL
Knox County, TN
City of Jackson, MS
Louisville-Jefferson County, KY
City of Knoxville, TN
Metro Nashville Government, TN
City of Lexington, KY
Montgomery City/County, AL
City of Little Rock, AR
State of Tennessee
The survey was distributed via e-mail on Aug.t 24 to the human resources department of each jurisdiction. By Sept. 19, Siegel received completed responses from 15 of the 26 jurisdictions.
They were:
Athens-Clarke County, GA
City of Springfield, MO
City of Baton Rouge, LA
Hamilton County, TN
City of Charlotte, NC
Knox County, TN
City of Knoxville, TN
Louisville-Jefferson County, KY
City of Little Rock, AR
Metro Nashville Government, TN
City of Lubbock, TX
Montgomery City/County, AL (pay only)
City of Raleigh, NC
State of Tennessee
City of Shreveport, LA
The study recommends the city adopt a new Fire Salary Structure, "which reflects increases based on market data, and the addition of three additional ranges to account for additional levels of management. The structure was created by adjusting pay for firefighters and senior firefighters by 10%, and then determining appropriate progression to midpoints.
The plan includes "a step structure, allowing employees to progress through each step as they become fully competent in the job. At grade F5 the structure becomes an open range with steps to midpoint in order to ensure pay for performance among management classifications within the fire department."
The proposed Police Salary Structure "increases the current structure by 15% and divides the first pay range into zones that are created to encourage progression through the Police Officer Career Ladder. Police sergeants, police lieutenants, and police captains will have an open range with steps to midpoint and the pay range for the assistant chiefs will be an open range. This is also done in order to ensure pay for performance among management classifications within the police department."
The study says, "Based on the survey we have recommended job series for Benchmarks and non-Benchmark jobs, which are market competitive. Once the benchmarks were placed on the salary structure, the remaining jobs were slotted based on their relationship to other jobs within their designated job family."
Pay Practice Recommendations
PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN GRADE ASSIGNMENTS
Grade Minimum Midpoint Maximum Proposed Job Title
$18,137/$20,650* $22,959 $28,125 Administrative Support Assistant
Library Page
Recreation Assistant
$19,044/$20,650* $24,107 $29,531 Library Clerk
$19,996/$20,650* $25,312 $31,008
$20,997 $26,578 $32,558
Communications Assistant
$22,046 $27,907 $34,186
Court Operations Assistant
Inventory Clerk
Permit Clerk
Personnel Assistant
Police Records Technician
Police Service Technician
$23,149 $29,302 $35,895
Administrative Support Assistant, Senior Court Operations Technician
Customer Service Representative
Fingerprint Technician
Inventory Clerk, Senior
Library Assistant
Police Service Technician, Senior
Property Technician
$24,306 $30,767 $37,690
Customer Service Representative, Senior Data Specialist
Personnel Technician
Police Quality Assurance Technician
Purchasing Technician
Tax Specialist
Zoo Education Curator
$25,521 $32,306 $39,574
Accounting Technician
Business Tax Inspector
Fiscal Technician
Inventory Control Coordinator
Laboratory Technician
Library Assistant, Senior (new)
Payroll Technician
Recreation Specialist
$26,798 $33,921 $41,553
Accident Investigator
Administrative Support Specialist
Circulation Supervisor
Communications Officer
Court Operations Technician, Senior
Graphics Artist
Laboratory Technician, Senior
Planning Technician
Terminal Agency Coordinator
$28,137 $35,617 $43,631
Accounting Technician, Senior
Benefits Specialist
Community Housing Specialist
Cultural Arts Coordinator
Fiscal Technician, Senior
Graphics and Technology Specialist
Payroll Technician, Senior
Photographic Lab Technician
$29,544 $37,398 $45,812
Box Office Supervisor
Champions Club Coordinator
Events and Marketing Specialist
$31,021 $39,268 $48,103
Asbestos Coordinator
Assoc Air Pollution Control Engineer
Community Development Specialist
Communications Shift Supervisor
Data Analyst
IT Technician
Librarian
Office Supervisor
Plans Review Specialist
Police Records Operations Supervisor
Sanitary Review Specialist
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
$32,573 $41,231 $50,508
Air Toxics Coordinator
Community Facilities Supervisor
Engineering Contracts Coordinator
Executive Assistant
Librarian, Senior Library Associate (new)
Neighborhood Relations Specialist
Neighborhood Services Program Coordinator
Recreation Facility Manager
Skate Park Manager
$34,201 $43,293 $53,033
Accounts Payable Supervisor
Bicycle Program Coordinator
Community Development Program Coordinator
Court Operations Supervisor
Customer Service Supervisor
Facilities Marketing Coordinator
Library Community Relations Coordinator
Payroll Supervisor
Public Information Specialist
Sewer Project Coordinator
Traffic Engineering Designer
Traffic Operations Analyst
$35,911 $45,457 $55,685
Assistant Zoo Director
Biologist
Department Personnel Specialist
Grants Specialist
GIS Specialist
IT Technician, Senior
Police Information Center Manager
Public Relations Coordinator
Recreation Program Coordinator
Therapeutic Program Coordinator
Wellness Coordinator
$37,707 $47,730 $58,469
Accountant
Assistant Director, City Wide Services Administration
Business Manager, Civic Facilities
Development Ombudsman
Fire & Police Recruitment Supervisor
Fiscal Analyst
Graphics Supervisor
Head Librarian
Historic Preservation Coordinator
Landfill Manager
Management and Budget Analyst
Personnel Generalist
Planner
Renewal Community Manager
Sanitation Manager
Sewer Construction Manager
Street Maintenance Manager
Tax Supervisor
Traffic Operations Manager
Training Specialist
Zoo Director
$39,592 $50,117 $61,393
Buyer Chemist
Construction Engineer
Departmental Occupational Safety and Health Coordinator
Fleet Services Manager
Grants Specialist, Senior
Manager, Accreditation
Personnel Records Specialist
Pre-treatment Supervisor
Soil Engineering Specialist
Staff Engineer I
$41,572 $52,622 $64,462
Aquatics Program Manager
Air Pollution Control Engineer
Director, Golf Course
GIS Specialist, Senior
Maintenance Superintendent
Manager, Air Monitoring
Manager, APC Operations
Programmer
Public Relations Coordinator, Senior
Waste Resources Systems Specialist
Watershed Specialist
$43,650 $55,254 $67,686 Air Pollution Control Engineer, Senior
Accountant, Senior
Athletics Complex Manager
Buyer, Senior
Compliance Officer
Compensation Management Analyst
Director, Civic Facilities
Engineering Coordinator
Internal Auditor
IT Specialist
Management and Budget Analyst, Senior
Manager, Champion's Club
Network Engineer
Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator
Staff Engineer II
Telecommunications Coordinator
Waste Resources Sys Engineer
Water Quality Supervisor
20 $45,833 $58,016 $71,070
Assistant Manager, Purchasing
Community & Economic Development Manager
Construction Engineer, Senior
Internal Auditor, Senior
Manager, Codes and Neighbor Relations
Planner, Senior (Transportation)
Programmer, Senior
Project Engineer
Quality Control Manager
Recreation Division Manager
Supervisor, Civic Facilities Operations
Web Information Coordinator
Systems and Database Administrator
$48,124 $60,917 $74,623
Building Inspection Manager
IT Support Services Supervisor
Network Engineer, Senior
Planner, Principal
Real Property Manager
$50,531 $63,963 $78,355
Administrator, Education, Arts, and Culture
Assistant City Treasurer
Assistant Director, Library
Construction Program Supervisor
Director of Recreation
Engineer, Senior
General Services Technology Specialist
Hydraulic Engineer
IT Manager, Fire Department
IT Manager, Library
Network Analyst
$53,057 $67,161 $82,272 Assistant City Traffic Engineer
GIS Systems and Database Administrator
IT Business Project Analyst
IT Manager, Public Works
Plant Superintendent
Staff Attorney
Systems and Database Administrator, Senior
Water Quality Manager
$55,710 $70,519 $86,386
Assistant Director, City Wide Services Operations
City Court Clerk
Director of Comprehensive Planning
Director, Library
Engineering Manager
Manager, APC Engineering
Manager, Purchasing
Site Development Chief
Stormwater Manager
Subdivisions Coordinator
Waste Resources Plant Engineer
$58,496 $74,045 $90,705
Assistant City Engineer
City Traffic Engineer
Director of Operations
Director of Planning Information
Director of Transportation Planning
Director, City Wide Services
Director, Land Development Office
Municipal Forester
Waste Resources Division Manager
$61,420 $77,747 $95,240
Accounting Manager
Application Services Manager
City Treasurer
Director of Design Center
Director of General Services
Director, Multicultural Affairs
Director of Parks
Director, Risk Management and Insurance
IT Support Services Manager
Network Manager
Telecommunications Manager
$64,491 $81,635 $100,002
Budget Officer
City Engineer
Director of Internal Audit
Manager, Financial Operations
$67,716 $85,716 $105,003
Deputy Administrator, Human Services
Deputy Administrator, Neighborhood Services
Deputy Administrator, Personnel
Deputy Police Chief
$71,102 $90,002 $110,253
Deputy Administrator, Finance
Deputy Administrator, Public Works
Deputy Chief Info Officer
Director, Air Pollution Control
30 $74,657 $94,502 $115,765 Administrator, Human Services
Administrator, Neighborhood Services
Administrator, Personnel
31 $78,390 $99,227 $121,554 Administrator, Parks and Recreation
Executive Director, Planning
$82,309 $104,189 $127,631
$86,425 $109,398 $134,013 Administrator, City Finance Officer
Administrator, Public Works
Chief Information Officer
City Attorney
$90,746 $114,868 $140,714
Police Chief
$95,283 $120,612 $147,749
$19,871/$20,650* $22,959 $25,840 Custodian
Sanitation Worker
Security Guard
Sewer Maintenance Worker
Street Maintenance Crew Worker
Tire Servicer
Traffic Operations Crew Worker
Warehouse Crew Worker
$20,865 $24,107 $27,132
Custodian, Senior
Fleet Services Specialist
Grounds Crew Worker
$21,908 $25,312 $28,489
Plant Maintenance Lubricator
Parking Meter Technician
4 $23,003 $26,578 $29,913 Equipment Operator
Electrician Assistant
Fleet Technician
HVAC Assistant
Sewer Technician
Street Maintenance Technician
Zookeeper
$24,153 $27,907 $31,409
Sign Fabricator
Zookeeper, Senior
6 $25,361 $29,302 $32,980 Animal Services Officer
Forestry Inspector
Grounds Crew Leader
Groundskeeper
Heavy Equipment Operator
Tree Trimmer
$26,629 $30,767 $34,629
Animal Services Officer, Senior
Heavy Equipment Operator, Senior
Landfill Technician
Plant Operator
Sewer Maintenance Truck Operator
Traffic Construction Operator
$27,961 $32,306 $36,360
Air Pollution Investigator
Crew Scheduler
Refuse Collection Inspector
Sewer Maintenance Crew Leader
Traffic Operations Crew Leader
$29,359 $33,921 $38,178
Building Maintenance Mechanic
Electrician Apprentice
Fire Equipment Specialist
Fleet Mechanic
Painter
Park Ranger
Plant Maintenance Mechanic
Plant Operator, Senior
Pool Technician
$30,826 $35,617 $40,087
Air Pollution Instrument Technician
Animal Services Supervisor
Assistant Golf Course Superintendent
Building Maintenance Mechanic, Senior
Electronic Communications Technician
Electrical / Instrumentation Technician
Electronic Surveillance/Evidence Technician
Fleet Mechanic, Senior
Grounds Supervisor
Traffic Electrician
Traffic Electronics Technician
Traffic Engineering Technician
Tree Trimmer Supervisor
Welder
$32,368 $37,398 $42,091
Code Enforcement Inspector
Construction Inspector
HVAC Specialist
Monitoring Technician
Park Ranger Supervisor
Plant Operator, Principal
Technical Coordinator
$33,986 $39,268 $44,196
Building Inspector
Codes Coordinator
Construction Inspector, Senior
Electrical Inspector
Electronic Communications Technician, Senior
Engineering Technician
Gas/Mechanical Inspector
Golf Course Superintendent
Plumbing Inspector
Pretreatment Inspector
Sanitation Supervisor
Sewer Maintenance Crew Supervisor
Street Maintenance Supervisor
Survey Instrument Technician
Traffic Electrician, Senior
Traffic Signal Designer
Traffic Operations Supervisor
Water Quality Technician
$35,685 $41,231 $46,406
Assistant Golf Manager
Building Inspector, Senior
Combination Inspector
Electrical Inspector, Senior
Fleet Maintenance Shift Supervisor
Gas/Mechanical Inspector, Senior
Plant Maintenance Mechanic, Chief
Plant Operator, Chief
Plumbing Inspector, Senior
Survey Party Chief
$37,470 $43,293 $48,726
Forestry Supervisor
Golf Manager
Grounds Manager
$39,343 $45,457 $51,162
Code Enforcement Inspector Supervisor
Construction Inspector Supervisor
Electronic Communications Technician Supervisor
Electrical/Instrumentation Technician, Chief
Fleet Maintenance Shop Supervisor
Maintenance Supervisor
Plant Maintenance Supervisor
Plant Operations Supervisor
Traffic Electrician Supervisor
Traffic Electronic Supervisor
$41,310 $47,730 $53,720
Building Inspector Supervisor
Electrical Inspector Supervisor
Plumbing Inspector Supervisor
Zoning and Sign Inspector Supervisor
$43,376 $50,117 $56,406
Codes Coordinator, Senior
PROPOSED FIRE GRADE ASSIGNMENTS
Grade Job Title Minimum Midpoint Maximum
F1 Stp1 Fire Cadet $31,577
F1 Firefighter $31,577 $33,125 $34,670 $36,220 $37,767 $39,313 $40,858 $42,407 $43,954 $45,503 47,049
F2 Firefighter, Senior $33,004 $34,622 $36,237 $37,857 $39,473 $41,096 $42,712 $44,331 $45,947 $47,566 49,188
F3 Fire Lieutenant $43,358 $45,485 $47,606 $49,734 $51,858 $54,007 $56,130 $58,258 $60,383 $62,511 64,656
F4 Fire Captain $49,132 $51,542 $53,945 $56,357 $58,764 $61,229 $63,636 $66,048 $68,457 $70,869 73,325
F5 Fire Battalion Chief $59,274 $62,182 $65,081 $67,990 $70,894 $73,903 88,532
F6 Fire Division Chief $62,238 $65,291 $68,335 $71,390 $74,439 $77,598 92,959
F7 Assistant Fire Chief $65,350 $68,556 $71,752 $74,960 $78,161 $81,479 97,607
F8 Deputy Fire Chief $68,579 $71,943 $75,297 $78,663 $82,022 $85,552 102,532
F9 Fire Chief $73,664 $77,277 $80,880 $84,496 $88,104 $91,896 110,135
PROPOSED POLICE GRADE ASSIGNMENTS
Grade Job Title Minimum Midpoint Maximum
P1 Police Cadet $34,118
P2 Police Officer I $35,913 $37,674 15 yr diff
P3 Police Officer II $39,436 $41,199
P4 Police Officer III $42,961 $44,725
P5 Master Police Officer $46,483 $48,245 $50,009 $55,000
P6 Police Sergeant $43,692 $45,842 $47,994 $50,146 $52,296 $60,906
P7 Police Lieutenant $49,913 $52,376 $54,838 $57,301 $59,764 $69,615
P8 Police Captain $56,135 $58,906 $61,681 $64,453 $67,227 $78,317
P9 Assistant Police Chief $73,246 87,757 $102,268
To view the full study go to
http://www.chattanooga.gov/35_Personnel.htm