04-003232SED Judith Page Jolly vs. Department Of Children And Family Services
 Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Friday, April 13, 2007.


View Dockets  
Summary: Petitioner should be reclassified as a Career Service Employee.

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 Petitioner’s

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 Petitioner’s 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

256“supervisory” 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

1820Respondent’s stipulation that it does not contest the Pet ition,

1830these facts establish that Petitioner’s 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, Petitioner’s 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 , 2002.

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.

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Date
Proceedings
PDF:
Date: 07/26/2007
Proceedings: Final Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 07/25/2007
Proceedings: Agency Final Order
PDF:
Date: 04/13/2007
Proceedings: Recommended Order
PDF:
Date: 04/13/2007
Proceedings: Summary Recommended Order. CASE CLOSED.
PDF:
Date: 12/29/2006
Proceedings: Status Report Regarding Appellate Attorneys` Fees filed.
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: 12/06/2006
Proceedings: Motion to Determine Appellate Attorneys` Fees filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/19/2006
Proceedings: Status Report filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/04/2006
Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by October 18, 2006).
PDF:
Date: 10/03/2006
Proceedings: Joint Status Report and Request for Additional Time filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/11/2006
Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by October 2, 2006).
PDF:
Date: 09/07/2006
Proceedings: Status Report filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/13/2006
Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by September 7, 2006).
PDF:
Date: 03/07/2006
Proceedings: Joint Motion to Continue in Abeyance filed.
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: 08/30/2005
Proceedings: Status Report filed.
PDF:
Date: 07/06/2005
Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by August 29, 2005).
PDF:
Date: 06/30/2005
Proceedings: Status Report filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/10/2005
Proceedings: Response to Petitioner`s Motion for Summary Disposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/03/2005
Proceedings: Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by July 1, 2005).
PDF:
Date: 05/02/2005
Proceedings: Affidavit Supporting Summary Disposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/02/2005
Proceedings: Motion for Summary Disposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/02/2005
Proceedings: Stipulation and Agreement of the Parties filed.
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: 02/03/2005
Proceedings: Joint Motion For Continuance (via efiling by Jerry Traynham).
PDF:
Date: 12/30/2004
Proceedings: Responses to Interrogatories filed.
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: 10/12/2004
Proceedings: Respondent`s Response to Initial Order (filed via facsimile).
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).
PDF:
Date: 09/24/2004
Proceedings: Response To Initial Order (via efiling by Jerry Traynham).
PDF:
Date: 09/15/2004
Proceedings: Initial Order.
PDF:
Date: 09/15/2004
Proceedings: Petition for a Section 120.569, 120.57 (1) Hearing filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/15/2004
Proceedings: Notice of Reclassification from Career Service to Select Exempt Service (SES) filed.
PDF:
Date: 09/15/2004
Proceedings: Notice (of Agency referral) filed.

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

Related Florida Statute(s) (6):