Brief Description: Modifying the definition of manager under the civil service law.

Sponsors: Representative Green.

Hearing Date: 1/30/06

Staff: Kasa Tupua (786-7291).

Background:

The Washington Management Service (WMS) was established in 1993 as a separate personnel system for management positions within the executive branch of state government. Its statutory purpose is to develop and maintain a professional managerial workforce and to provide agencies with increased flexibility for their management positions in the areas of hiring and setting compensation.

The WMS rules govern recruitment, appointment, classification, training and career development, hours of work, probation, compensation, transfer, promotion, layoff, re-employment, discipline, and other personnel practices for managers. As of July 1, 2005, WMS managers are prohibited from belonging to a collective bargaining unit.

In order to be classified as a manger under the WMS, an employee must:

• formulate state-wide policy or direct the work of an agency or agency subdivision;
• administer at least one state-wide agency or subdivision policy or program;
• manage, administer, and control a local branch office of an agency or subdivision, including physical, financial, or personnel resources;
• have substantial personnel, legislative, public information, or budget responsibilities; or
• be above the first level of supervision, exercise authority that is not merely routine or clerical, and consistently use independent judgment..

Summary of Bill:

The definition of manager for the WMS is modified. Two of the five criteria that describe a manager are removed:

• having substantial personnel, legislative, public information, or budget responsibilities; and
• being above the first level of supervision, consistently use independent judgment, and exercise authority that is not clerical or routine.

The criteria relating to managing a local branch office of an agency or agency subdivision is modified to require spending authority for at least one percent of the assigned agency's physical, financial, or personnel resources.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.