Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item #



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



January 8, 2002



Agenda Report #



TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: Position Classification Plan and Pay Plan Amendment



INITIATED: Request of Fire/EMS Chief







Recommendation: Approve an Ordinance amending the Position Classification Plan

and Pay Plan of the Columbus Consolidated Government by creating the positions

of Firefighter/EMT, Grade 9 and Firemedic, grade 12



Background: Ordinance No. 96-79 created a requirement that individuals

receiving entry level appointment as a Public Safety Officer, must possess an

associates or higher degree. Subsequently, Ordinance No. 00-31 authorized the

acceptance of the educational equivalency of an associates degree for hiring

purposes only, specifying that an associates or higher degree was still

required for promotion. Due to recruiting problems and possible military

reserve activations, the Fire/EMS Chief requests the creation of the positions

of Firefighter/EMT, Grade 9 and Firemedic, grade 12. The educational level

required for the position of Firefighter/EMT hired at Pay Grade 9 shall be the

completion of 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours of post secondary

education; or a Georgia EMT license and 24 quarter hours or 16 semester hours

of post secondary education. The educational level required for the position

of Firemedic, grade 12 shall be the completion of 75 quarter hours or 50

semester hours of post secondary education. After earning an associate degree

or a total of 96 quarter hours or 63 semester hours of post secondary

education, which is considered the equivalent of an associate degree the

Firefighter/EMT will be elevated to Pay Grade 10 and the Firemedic to Pay Grade

13. All referenced educational hours and/or degrees must be earned at a

college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and

Colleges, or its equivalent. Employees hired under this provision who fail to

attain an associate or higher degree shall be ineligible for promotion.



Analysis: There will be no budgetary impact. There will be a small initial

savings when a new EMT or Firefighter/EMT is hired at Grade 9, but it is

anticipated that these employees will attain an associate degree and then move

up in pay.



Legal: Approval of the Columbus Council is required.



Financial Considerations: No financial considerations other than listed in

Analysis.



Recommendation/Actions: Request of Fire/EMS Chief.