RFP HR-26-702: Classification and Compensation Program Development Consulting Services

April 01, 2026

Agenda

• Background

• Purpose of RFP

• Scope of Work

• Deliverable Goals

• RFP Instructions and Timeline

• Evaluation Criteria and Proposal Content

• Q&A

Background

• The City of Long Beach established a formal Classification and Compensation Program with a single employee in FY25, growing to a Division comprised of 4.0 FTEs in 2026.

• Our organization has lacked a formal articulation of its classification and compensation philosophies, resulting in inconsistent classification structures and language, wide variations in compensation structure, and challenges with grade creep and appropriate classification utilization.

• In addition, the City has had challenges with maintaining its classification specifications, with an average age across all classifications of roughly 20 years.

• The City has also had challenges with consistency in its compensation studies, resulting in challenges with negotiations.

Purpose of RFP

• The City of Long Beach is seeking proposals from professional HR consulting and training firms experienced with classification and compensation to assess and facilitate the enhancement of our class and comp operations.

• This includes analysis of our current class and comp operations and practices to identify gaps relative to industry best practice and assist with updates and developments in these areas.

• We would also like the selected firm to provide consulting assistance with the redevelopment of our guiding documents, including forms, templates, policies, and SOP’s.

• Lastly, we would like the selected firm to train our class and comp team on all associated updates, as well as essential human resources practices related to class and comp.

Scope of Work

• Analysis, updates, and trainings are anticipated to be needed in the following areas:

• Identification of new comparator agencies, including alternate comparator agencies for specific areas of industry (e.g. Airport, Beach, Harbor, Health, and Gas and Water Utility operations).

• Development of a compensation philosophy, including market positioning, salary differentials, and applications of skill pays and incentives.

• Development of classification philosophy, including criteria for separation of classification or grade, definition of core terminology, equitable assessment of minimum requirements.

• Categorization of classifications, including FLSA and job family designations.

Scope of Work (Continued)

• Essential functions job analysis, including determination of physical and mental requirements for occupational health and workplace accommodation assessments.

• Compensation studies, including data sheet templates, base salary and total compensation analysis, and determination and use of benchmark classifications.

• Position audits, including position description questionnaires, appropriate balance of work, and equitable resolution of out of class arrangements.

• Review of Civil Service Rules related to classification and compensation and impacts on classified examination processes and career pathways.

Deliverable Goals

• By the conclusion of this contract, the City hopes to:

• Transition from a reactive and outdated class and comp operation to a proactive one positioned to be an industry leader among agencies in the region.

• Have a well-defined classification and compensation philosophy that communicates our approaches and goals to employees, labor associations, and the public.

• Develop a defensible list of general and alternate comparator agencies and benchmark classifications to facilitate insightful market studies and contribute to contract negotiations.

• Be comprised of staff that are well trained as class and comp experts within the agency and are capable of independently managing a wide array of essential class and comp functions.

RFP Instructions and Timeline

Questions Due to the City 11:00 AM (PST) April 16, 2026

Posting Q & A April 30, 2026

Proposals Due 11:00 AM (PST) May 14, 2026

RFP Evaluation Criteria (Section 3.2)

Proposal Content (Section 4.2)

Thank you