04-003232SED
Judith Page Jolly vs.
Department Of Children And Family Services
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Friday, April 13, 2007.
Recommended Order on Friday, April 13, 2007.
1STATE OF FLORIDA
4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
8JUDITH PAGE JOLLY , )
12)
13Petitioner , )
15)
16vs. ) Case No. 04 - 3232SED
23)
24DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND )
29FAMILY SERVICES , )
32)
33Respondent . )
36)
37SUMMARY RECOMM ENDED ORDER
41This case came on for consideration pursuant to a Motion
51For Summary Disposition filed by Petitioner. After stipulation
59of the parties that summary disposition was appropriate and the
69record complete the Petitioner's Motion was granted.
76APPEARANCES
77For Petitioner: Jerry Gaynham, Esquire
82Patterson & Traynham
85315 Beard Street
88P.O. Box 4289
91Tallahassee, Florida 32315
94For Respondent: Richard W. Evans, Esquire
100Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A.
105906 North Monroe Street
109Tallahassee, Florida 32308
112STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE
116The issue in this proceeding is whether Petitioner's
124position was properly reclassified from Career Serv ice status to
134Selected Exempt status.
137PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
139On July 1, 2001, the Department of Children and Family
149Services (Department or Respondent) reclassified Petitioners
155employment position from Career Service to the Select Exempt
164Service under the Service First initiative codified in Section
173110.205(2)(x), Florida Statutes. At the time of the
181reclassification, Petitioner received no clear point of entry to
190an administrative hearing. Nevertheless, on May 9, 2002,
198Petitioner filed a Petition for Section 120.569, 120.57(1)
206Hearing with the Department. The Petition alleged that the
215Department improperly reclassified Petitioners position upon
221the supposition that it was exempt from Career Service status
231pursuant to Section 110.205(2)(x), Florid a Statutes, as
239performing duties either managerial or confidential within
246the meaning of Section 447.203(4) or (5), Florida Statutes, or
256supervisory within the meaning of Section 110.205(2)(x),
263Florida Statutes. The Petition for hearing was denied b y the
274Department and Petitioner appealed that denial. This case
282became one of five cases consolidated in the First District
292Court of Appeal , which led to the opinion in Reinshuttle v.
303Agency for Healthcare Administration , 849 So. 2d 434 (Fla. 1st
313DCA 2003 ), that held Petitioner was entitled to an
323administrative hearing on the reclassification of her position.
331Thereafter, on September 15, 2004, the Petition for hearing was
341forwarded to the Division of Administrative Hearings and the
350case set for hearing on November 29 - 30, 2004.
360On November 17, 2004, th e parties filed a Joint Motion to
372Continue a nd to Consolidate For Joint Hearing. The Motion
382requested consolidation of this case with Lori Cooper v.
391Department of Children and Family Services , DOAH Case Number
4003231SED. The Cooper case had generally followed the same legal
410process as this case and involved the same issues. On
420November 22, 2004, a continuance was granted and the case was
431rescheduled for February 8, 2005. The cases were not
440consolidated but would be combined for purposes of hearing. On
450February 3, 2005, the parties filed a second Joint Motion t o
462Continue due to an immediate family member's death in
471Petitioner's family. The Motion also advised that the parties
480were engaged in settlement negotiations. On February 4, 2005,
489the Motion to Continue was granted and the cases rescheduled for
500March 31, 2005. On March 29, 2005, the parties filed a third
512Joint Motion to Continue based on continued negotiation
520regarding the details of the settleme nt regarding Petitioner's
529position. Due to the settlement in principle, the case was
539placed in abeyance with a status report due by May 2, 2005.
551On May 2, 2005, the parties filed a Stipulation and
561Agreement of the Parties stipulating that the Depar tment did not
572contest the Petition. The stipulation requested the abeyance be
581continued pending resolution of the issue of attorney ' s fees and
593costs at issue in the First District Court of Appeal. On May 3,
6062005, abeyance was continued with a status repo rt due no later
618than July 2, 2005. Thereafter, status reports were filed by the
629parties with the issue of attorney ' s fees and costs remaining
641unresolved. On March 7, 2006, the parties requested the
650abeyance be continued and advised that the issue of atto rney ' s
663fees and costs had been referred for mediation before a
673mediator. ( On December 29, 2006, the parties notified the
683undersigned that the issue of attorney's fees and costs had been
694resolved. On January 31, 2007, the undersigned held a status
704confere nce to determine whether the cases should be scheduled
714for hearing. Both parties agreed that the cases should be
724handled by summary disposition and that the record was
733complete. )
735FINDINGS OF FACT
7381. Prior to July 1, 2001, Petitioner, Jolly was emplo yed
749in the Co m prehensive Health Planning Section of the Programs,
760Regulation and Health Facilities Division of the Department of
769Children and Family Services (DCFS) in a Career Service
778employment position classified and titled Administrative
784Assistant II C areer Service. At the time, Petitioner held
794permanent Career Service status.
7982. The Administrative Assistant II position was certified
806by the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) as within
815the Career Service Administrative - Clerical collectiv e bargaining
824unit, represented by the Florida Public Employees Council 79,
833AFSCME.
8343. In her position, Petitioner performed clerical
841functions. She did not supervise other employees, perform any
850managerial functions, or perform any confidential duti es. She
859had no role in labor relations, collective bargaining, the
868adjustment of grievances filed by employees, or the imposition
877of discipline upon other employees for breaches of conduct.
886Similarly, Petitioner had no role in the preparation of agency
896b udgets for collective bargaining, or for other purposes.
9054. Sometime around June 15, 2001, Petitioner was notified
914by DCFS that her position as an Administrative Assistant II
924would be reclassified as a position within the Selected Exempt
934Service (S ES). The reclassification was effective July 1, 2001.
944No input from the Petitioner regarding the duties of her
954position was sought by the Department in its decision to
964reclassify Petitioner's position. Indeed, the Department
970reclassified the position ba sed on the fact that Petitioner
980assisted or aided managerial employees and allegedly had access
989to confidential material. However, there was no evidence in the
999record that Petitioner's position involved any confidential
1006matters.
10075. Petitioner was te rminated from employment with DCFS,
1016without explanation, on June 28, 2002. In terminating her
1025employment as an Administrative Assistant II, DCFS represented
1033that Petitioner had no appeal rights either to PERC or under the
1045bargaining agreement between AFSC ME and the State of Florida
1055because her position had been reclassified. However, the
1063evidence does not demonstrate that Petitioner's position was
1071managerial, confidential or supervisory. Therefore,
1076Petitioner's position should not have been reclassified to SES
1085and she is entitled to her rights as a C areer S ervice employee.
1099CONCLUSION S OF LAW
11036. The Division of Administrative Hearings has
1110jurisdiction over the parties to and the subject matter of this
1121litigation. §§ 120.569 and 120.57(1), Fl a. Stat. ( 200 5 ; ) and
1134Reinshuttle v. Agency for Healthcare Administration , 849 So. 2d
1143434 (Fla . 1st DCA 2003).
11497 . Section 110.205, Florida Statutes (2001), states:
1157(1) CAREER POSITIONS. The career service
1164to which this part applies includes all
1171positions not spe cifically exempted by this
1178part, . . . .
1183(2) EXEMPT POSITIONS. The exempt positions
1190that are not covered by this part include
1198the following:
1200* * * *
1204(x) Managerial employees, as defined in s.
1211447.203(4), confidential employees as
1215defined in s. 447. 203(5), and supervisory
1222employees who spend the majority of their
1229time communicating with, motivating,
1233training, and evaluating employees, and
1238planning and directing employees' work, and
1244who have the authority to hire, transfer,
1251suspend, lay off, recall, p romote,
1257discharge, assign, reward, or discipline
1262subordinate employees or effectively
1266recommend such action, including all
1271employees serving as supervisors,
1275administrators, and directors. Excluded are
1280employees also designated as special risk or
1287special r isk administrative support and
1293attorneys who serve as administrative law
1299judges pursuant to s. 120.65 or for hearings
1307conducted pursuant to s. 120.57(1)(a).
1312Additionally, registered nurses licensed
1316under chapter 464, dentists licensed under
1322chapter 466, p sychologists licensed under
1328chapter 490 or chapter 491, nutritionists or
1335dieticians licensed under part X of chapter
1342468, pharmacists licensed under chapter 465,
1348psychological specialists licensed under
1352chapter 491, physical therapists licensed
1357under chapt er 486, and speech therapists
1364licensed under part I of chapter 468 are
1372excluded, unless otherwise collectively
1376bargained.
13778 . Section 447.203(4) and (5), Florida Statutes (2001) ,
1386states:
1387(4) "Managerial employees" are those
1392employees who:
1394(a) Perform jobs that are not of a routine,
1403clerical, or ministerial nature and require
1409the exercise of independent judgment in the
1416performance of such jobs and to whom one or
1425more of the following applies:
14301. They formulate or assist in formulating
1437policies which ar e applicable to bargaining
1444unit employees.
14462. They may reasonably be required on
1453behalf of the employer to assist in the
1461preparation for the conduct of collective
1467bargaining negotiations.
14693. They have a role in the administration
1477of agreements resulting from collective
1482bargaining negotiations.
14844. They have a significant role in
1491personnel administration.
14935. They have a significant role in employee
1501relations.
15026. They are included in the definition of
1510administrative personnel contained in s.
1515228.041(1 0).
15177. They have a significant role in the
1525preparation or administration of budgets for
1531any public agency or institution or
1537subdivision thereof.
1539(b) Serve as police chiefs, fire chiefs, or
1547directors of public safety of any police,
1554fire, or public safety department. Other
1560police officers, as defined in s. 943.10(1),
1567and firefighters, as defined in s.
1573633.30(1), may be determined by the
1579commission to be managerial employees of
1585such departments. In making such
1590determinations, the commission shall
1594consider , in addition to the criteria
1600established in paragraph (a), the
1605paramilitary organizational structure of the
1610department involved.
1612However, in determining whether an
1617individual is a managerial employee pursuant
1623to either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b),
1630a bove, the commission may consider historic
1637relationships of the employee to the public
1644employer and to co - employees.
1650(5) "Confidential employees" are persons
1655who act in a confidential capacity to assist
1663or aid managerial employees as defined in
1670subsectio n (4).
16739 . Because Respondent sought to reclassify the employment
1682position from Career Service to Exempt Service, it bears the
1692burden to pro ve by a preponderance of evidence that the
1703reclassification met statutory requirements . See Florida
1710Department of Transportation v. J.W.C. , 396 So. 2d 778
1719(Fla. 1st DCA 1981); Balino v. Department of Health and
1729Rehabilitative Services , 348 So. 2d 349 (Fla. 1st DCA 1977); and
1740Young v. Department of Community Affairs , 625 So. 2d 831
1750(Fla. 1993).
175210 . Clearly, P etitio ner does not meet the criteria for
1764reclassification of her position . The supporting affidavit of
1773Petitioner establishes factually that in her position with the
1782Respondent, as an Administrative Assistant II, Petitioner
1789performed no duties which were managerial or confidential
1797within the meaning of Section 447.203(4) or (5), Florida
1806Statutes, or supervisory within the meaning of Section
1814110.205(2)(x), Florida Statutes. Taken together with
1820Respondents stipulation that it does not contest the Pet ition,
1830these facts establish that Petitioners position was properly
1838classified as within the Career Service, and that it was
1848improper for Respondent to reclassify the position as within the
1858Select Exempt Service. Therefore, Petitioners position should
1865b e properly classified as C areer S ervice.
1874RECOMMENDED ORDER
1876Based upon the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
1886reached it is RECOMMENDED:
1890That Petitioner's position of Administrative Assistant II,
1897is that of a Career Service employee and should no t have been
1910reclassified as Select Exempt Service . Petitioner is a person
1920entitled to rights pertaining to Career Service employees as of
1930the time of h er improper reclassification.
1937DONE AND ENTERED this 13th day of April , 2007 , in
1947Tallahassee, Leon Cou nty, Florida.
1952S
1953DIANE CLEAVINGER
1955Administrative Law Judge
1958Division of Administrative Hearings
1962The DeSoto Building
19651230 Apalachee Parkway
1968Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 3060
1973(850) 488 - 9675 SUNCOM 278 - 9675
1981Fax Filing (850) 9 21 - 6847
1988www.doah.state.fl.us
1989Filed with the Clerk of the
1995Division of Administrative Hearings
1999this day of
2003COPIES FURNISHED : 2006Herschel C. Minnis, Esquire 2010Department of Children and Family Services 20161317 Winewood Boulevard 2019Building 2, Roo m 204N 2024Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0700 2029Jerry Gaynham, Esquire 2032Patterson & Traynham 2035315 Beard Street 2038Post Office Box 4289 2042Tallahassee, Florida 32315 - 4289 2047Robert W. Evans, Esquire 2051Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A. 2056906 North Monroe Street. Suite 100 2062Tallah assee, Florida 32308 2066Robert A. Butterworth, Secretary 2070Department of Children and 2074Family Services 2076Building 1, Room 202 20801317 Winewood Boulevard 2083Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0700 2088John J. Copelan, General Counsel 2093Department of Children and 2097Family Service s 2100Building 2, Room 204 21041317 Winewood Boulevard 2107Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0700 2112Gregory Venz, Agency Clerk 2116Department of Children and 2120Family Services 2122Building 2, Room 204B 21261316 Winewood Boulevard 2129Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0700 2134NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUB MIT EXCEPTIONS 2141All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within 215115 days from the date of this Recommended Order. Any exceptions 2162to this Recommended Order should be filed with the agency that 2173will issue the final order in this case.
- Date
- Proceedings
- PDF:
- Date: 12/18/2006
- Proceedings: Order (Unopposed Motion for Enalrgement of Time to Respond to Motion for Attorneys` Fees is granted).
- PDF:
- Date: 12/15/2006
- Proceedings: Unopposed Moiton for Enlargement of Time to Respond to Motion for Attorneys` Fees filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 12/06/2006
- Proceedings: Affidavit of Counsel Supporting Motion for Attorneys` Fees filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 10/04/2006
- Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by October 18, 2006).
- PDF:
- Date: 09/11/2006
- Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by October 2, 2006).
- PDF:
- Date: 03/13/2006
- Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by September 7, 2006).
- PDF:
- Date: 10/03/2005
- Proceedings: Undeliverable envelope returned from the Post Office (remailed 10/26/95).
- PDF:
- Date: 09/07/2005
- Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by March 7, 2006).
- PDF:
- Date: 07/06/2005
- Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by August 29, 2005).
- PDF:
- Date: 05/03/2005
- Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by July 1, 2005).
- PDF:
- Date: 03/30/2005
- Proceedings: Order Granting Continuance and Placing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by May 2, 2005).
- Date: 03/29/2005
- Proceedings: Joint Motion for Continuance filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 03/29/2005
- Proceedings: Unopposed Motion for Enlargement of Time (filed by Respondent via facsimile).
- PDF:
- Date: 03/29/2005
- Proceedings: Notice of Appearance (filed by R.W. Evans, Esquire, via facsimile).
- PDF:
- Date: 02/04/2005
- Proceedings: Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for March 30, 2005; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
- PDF:
- Date: 12/30/2004
- Proceedings: Respondent`s Notice of Service of Answers to Petitioner`s First Interrogatories filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 12/30/2004
- Proceedings: Response to Petitioner`s First Request for Production of Documents filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 11/22/2004
- Proceedings: Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for February 9, 2005; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
- PDF:
- Date: 11/17/2004
- Proceedings: Joint Motion to Continue and to Consolidate for Joint Hearing (via efiling by Jerry Traynham).
- PDF:
- Date: 11/17/2004
- Proceedings: Joint Motion to Continue and to Consolidate for Joint Hearing (via efiling by Jerry Traynham).
- PDF:
- Date: 10/18/2004
- Proceedings: Petitioner`s First Request For Production Of Documents To Respondent (via efiling by Jerry Traynham).
- PDF:
- Date: 10/18/2004
- Proceedings: Petitioner`s First Interrogatories To Respondent (via efiling by Jerry Traynham).
- PDF:
- Date: 10/18/2004
- Proceedings: Amended Notice of Hearing (hearing set for November 30, 2004; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL; amended as to Location).
- PDF:
- Date: 10/18/2004
- Proceedings: Petitioner`s First Request For Production Of Documents To Respondent (via efiling by Jerry Traynham).
- PDF:
- Date: 10/18/2004
- Proceedings: Petitioner`s First Interrogatories To Respondent (via efiling by Jerry Traynham).
- PDF:
- Date: 09/30/2004
- Proceedings: Amended Response To Initial Order (via efiling by Jerry Traynham).
- PDF:
- Date: 09/29/2004
- Proceedings: Notice of Hearing (hearing set for November 30, 2004; 9:30 a.m.; Gainesville, FL).
Case Information
- Judge:
- DIANE CLEAVINGER
- Date Filed:
- 09/15/2004
- Date Assignment:
- 09/15/2004
- Last Docket Entry:
- 07/26/2007
- Location:
- Tallahassee, Florida
- District:
- Northern
- Agency:
- ADOPTED IN TOTO
- Suffix:
- SED
Counsels
-
R. W. Evans, Esquire
Address of Record -
Michael Mattimore, Esquire
Address of Record -
Jerry G Traynham, Esquire
Address of Record