DATE: November 18, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Water Utilities Department
TITLE: RECLASSIFY ONE EXISTING SINGLE LEVEL LEAD WATER UTILITIES INSPECTOR POSITION AND ONE EXISTING WATER UTILITIES INSPECTOR POSITION INTO A UNIFIED WATER UTILITIES INSPECTOR I-II-III CONTINUUM SERIES; UPDATE ASSOCIATED JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND SALARY TABLES
RECOMMENDATION
title
Staff recommends that City Council approve the reclassification of one existing Lead Water Utilities Inspector position and one Water Utilities Inspector position into a consolidated Water Utilities Inspector I-II-III continuum classification in the Water Utilities Department; update the City’s salary schedule to reflect the job title changes and salary table restructuring in accordance with CalPERS guidelines; and accept updates to associated job descriptions effective the pay period following ratification and adoption of this recommendation.
body
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Water Utilities Inspections team is the primary group responsible for field inspections of water, wastewater, recycled water, and related construction projects to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, standards, and regulatory requirements.
The Inspections Team currently has staff consisting of one Supervising Water Utilities Inspector, one Lead Inspector (currently vacant), and one Water Utilities Inspector. Assignments range from routine inspections under close supervision to multi-disciplinary projects requiring advanced technical expertise and independent judgement. Reclassifying the vacant Lead Water Utilities Inspector and Water Utilities Inspector into a consolidated Inspector I-II-III continuum will standardize the team, provide meaningful career development opportunities as incumbents progress through the series, and clarify responsibilities by level.
The team’s restructuring will improve alignment across Water Utilities Inspector classifications, including the addition of the Supervising Water Utilities Inspector classification that became effective with the new 2026-2027 fiscal year. The proposed reorganization will clarify roles and responsibilities, strengthen leadership clarity, and ensure streamlined operational oversight, while continuing to enhance service delivery. Establishment of the Water Utilities Inspector I salary range provides a lower-level classification within the new series.
The Lead Water Utilities Inspector will be reclassified to Water Utilities Inspector III with the same salary, the current Water Utilities Inspector will be reclassified to Water Utilities Inspector II and will maintain the same salary. A salary range for the Water Utilities Inspector I has been established, and will be 11% below the Water Utilities Inspector II.
The proposed salary range for the Water Utilities Inspector I-II-III series is:
|
Water Utilities Inspector I (New) - Proposed Salary |
|
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monthly |
6,551 |
6,879 |
7,223 |
7,584 |
7,963 |
8,361 |
8,779 |
|
Hourly |
37.79 |
39.68 |
41.67 |
43.75 |
45.94 |
48.24 |
50.65 |
|
Annually |
78,612 |
82,543 |
86,670 |
91,004 |
95,554 |
100,331 |
105,348 |
|
Water Utilities Inspector II - Existing Water Utilities Inspector Salary |
|
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monthly |
7,287 |
7,653 |
8,036 |
8,440 |
8,859 |
9,301 |
9,767 |
|
Hourly |
42.04 |
44.15 |
46.36 |
48.69 |
51.11 |
53.66 |
56.35 |
|
Annually |
87,444 |
91,836 |
96,432 |
101,280 |
106,308 |
111,612 |
117,204 |
|
Water Utilities Inspector III - Existing Lead Water Utilities Inspector Salary |
|
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monthly |
8,018 |
8,421 |
8,840 |
9,284 |
9,745 |
10,234 |
10,745 |
|
Hourly |
46.26 |
48.58 |
51.00 |
53.56 |
56.22 |
59.04 |
61.99 |
|
Annually |
96,216 |
101,052 |
106,080 |
111,408 |
116,940 |
122,808 |
128,940 |
Human Resources has met and conferred with the bargaining unit which covers these positions, Oceanside City Employees’ Association (OCEA), who is supportive of this change.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact arising from this action, as the current incumbent will be placed into the appropriate corresponding Water Utilities Inspector I/II/III classification at their existing salary range. Future salary increases associated with employee progression or movement within the series will be incorporated into futured budgets through the normal budget development process.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
Does not apply.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
Does not apply.
end
Prepared by: Frederick Mayo, Water Utilities Director
Reviewed by: Chelsea D. Phebus, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management
Reviewed by: Robert O’Brien, Deputy City Manager
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager