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File #: 2025-4548    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Non-Consent Status: Reported to Board
File created: 10/2/2025 In control: OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
On agenda: 10/22/2025 Final action:
Title: ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STAFFING PLAN
Sponsors: Mike Dorman
Attachments: 1. Agenda Report, 2. Engineering Department 2025 Staffing Plan, 3. Presentation
Related files: 2025-4533, 2025-4498
FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering

SUBJECT:

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ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STAFFING PLAN
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION

recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:

Direct the General Manager to shift staffing from the current Supplemental Engineering Services model toward a direct hiring model to support the existing Capital Improvement Program execution, and implement the plan over four years through the normal budget process.
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BACKGROUND

Since 2002, Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) has used Professional Service Agreements for supplemental staffing to meet workload demands of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and small projects funded through both capital and operating budgets. Over the last five years, supplemental staffing has grown from 20 to 53 positions as planned in prior agreements. The existing supplemental staffing contracts are nearing their expiration. In order to prepare for the solicitation of new supplemental staffing contracts, staff roles and responsibilities were updated, and project staffing requirements were reviewed for the next 10 years. This analysis confirmed the long-term need for the current total staffing levels, which includes direct OC San staff members and supplemental contract staffing, to deliver necessary projects for the next 10-years. Supplemental staff will be required in construction management and certain technical disciplines to support increased construction activity over the next five years at a minimum.

This staffing plan analysis completes the FY2025-2026 General Manager's Work Plan Goal to create a CIP staffing plan by December 31, 2025, to minimize Supplemental Engineering Services, improve succession planning, and streamline the project delivery process.

The existing Supplemental Engineering Services contract (May 2022 - May 2027) will expire in May 2027. A request for proposal will be sent out late October 2025 to allow a one-yea...

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