FAQs 

What is the purpose of the Classification Audit? 

The purpose of the Classification Audit is to measure the duties and responsibilities of a selection of CAPS-UAW member classifications. The Classification Audit will examine the job functions of scientists and produce useful information to inform future bargaining for our unit.

Why is the Classification Audit happening? 

The Classification Audit is happening because State Scientists, after much back-and-forth, won a classification audit that is described in Article 2.21 of our CAPS-UAW memorandum of understanding (MOU). This audit is being conducted by a firm hired by CalHR; Sjoberg Evashenk Consulting, Inc. (SEC).

Here is why this audit is important: 

• The state agreed to audit its own classifications and review duties and responsibilities to ensure state scientists are properly compensated.
• This review includes looking at how our work compares to other similar job titles in the State – many of which are often paid significantly more for doing similar work.
• The data collected could shape how the State defines, values, and compensates scientific work moving forward. 

What departments/classifications will be audited?

Classifications	Departments
Environmental Scientist	SWRCB; DWR; CALFIRE; CDPH
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)	DTSC; Caltrans; DWR; Department of Conservation
Staff Toxicologist (Specialist)	DPR; DTSC; OEHHA; CDPH
Associate Industrial Hygienist	DIR; CDCR; CARB
Energy Commission Specialist III	CEC

*Note: not all Scientists in the classifications at the above departments will be included in the audit. The participants will be decided randomly by the auditor. There will be approximately 161 audits performed in total. This estimation is based on the number of Scientists in the classifications at the departments listed above, broken down as follows: 

• 15% of the ESs and SES (Specialists) at each of the listed departments above will be audited. This means, 15% of filled ES positions at SWRCB, 15% of filled ES positions at DWR, 15% of filled ES positions at CALFIRE, and 15% of filled ES positions at CDPH will be audited. For SES (Specialists), this means 15% of filled SES positions at DTSC, 15% of filled SES positions at Caltrans, 15% of filled SES positions at DWR, and 15% of filled SES positions at the Department of Conservation will be audited. 
• 50% of the Staff Toxicologists at each of the listed departments be audited. This includes 50% of filled Staff Toxicologist positions at DPR, 50% of filled Staff Toxicologist positions at DTSC, 50% of filled Staff Toxicologist positions at OEHHA, and 50% of filled Staff Toxicologist positions at CDPH will be audited. 
• 100% of the filled Associate Industrial Hygienist positions will be audited
• 100% of the filled Energy Commission Specialist III positions will be audited.

How were the departments/classifications determined?

CAPS-UAW and CalHR met and discussed various classifications that, based on input from members, the CAPS-UAW Bargaining Team believed were important to be reviewed for comparisons to similar job titles and duties in state service. Per our MOU the number of classifications and the departments to be audited were limited based on funding. It is important to remember the Audit is the result of a negotiation and not intended to be an audit of the work of every state scientist. 

What is the audit process? 

The audit consists of two parts: 

1. A “benchmarking” electronic survey scheduled for September. All scientists at CDFW and CDFA in the Environmental Scientist and Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) classifications were selected by the State to participate in this survey. 
2. An in-depth study that involves job shadowing and interviews of randomly selected scientists in a limited number of classifications and departments, mutually agreed to by CAPS-UAW and the state.

CalHR has hired a third party auditor to complete this audit. It will be divided into two parts. 

Part 1: Benchmarking Survey

Environmental Scientists (ES) and Senior Environmental Scientists (Specialists) (SES) at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) were selected by CalHR to participate in an electronic Benchmarking Survey. 

This benchmarking survey is happening now, if you did not receive this link please contact your Department’s Labor Relations contact. The information provided during this benchmarking survey will be used to set the benchmark by which other ES & SES will be compared to. 

For Scientists at CDFA and CDFW, complete the Benchmarking Survey: 

• Complete the survey carefully and thoroughly.
• Highlight any work you do that’s the same or similar to what your colleagues do, including colleagues in other Bargaining Units, or emphasizing work mirroring your supervisor’s responsibilities.
• Include tasks you previously managed that have since been moved to other classifications. 

Part 2: Audit 

Scientists in the classifications/departments listed above will be randomly selected to participate in the audit, beginning in October. The Classification Audit involves job shadowing and participant interviews.

For Scientists selected for the audit (departments and classifications listed above):

• Perform your daily activities/duties/responsibilities as you normally would, according to your duty statement. 
• Be thorough and thoughtful in your responses to interview questions from the auditors.
• The data collected could shape how the State defines, values, and compensates scientific work moving forward. 

Remember, this audit is something state scientists fought hard to win. The data collected could shape how the State defines, values, and compensates scientific work moving forward. If you have any questions about this, please reach out to your worksite member representative. If you don’t know who that is, reach out through this form: https://capsscientists.org/workplace-issue-reporting-form/