Friday Update-April 5, 2024

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Published By Your City Hall

April 5, 2024

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. This is a national campaign to bring awareness to the epidemic of child abuse and neglect, impacting children across our nation. It recognizes the importance of communities, in collaboration with families, working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. Much of the focus is on education, development of prevention services, and support to help parents and caregivers protect children, which ultimately strengthens families. 

Our community is very fortunate to have an organization dedicated to this effort of protecting and supporting children – The Kids' Hope Center. The Kids' Hope Center serves the Coos County community, working with diverse families, providing education and advocacy, all directed at their vision, “To create a community where no child experiences neglect or abuse.” You can read more about the Kids' Hope Center on their website. 

Because of the great importance children have in framing the future of our community, the City Council and I wholeheartedly support the Kids' Hope Center and emphasized that support through the recent proclamation approval at our April 2, 2024, meeting. During the month of April, you will see visual signs of support for the Kids' Hope Center and the children of our community through the display of colorful pinwheels in front of businesses and homes. We can all play a part to ensure that children are safe and supported. That part can be met in many ways: volunteering, donating, or just furthering your understanding of the impacts of child abuse and neglect, as well as solutions aimed at prevention.

-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay

The City has received great news about the repair of the Mingus Pool boiler.

First, the bid for the pool boiler replacement came in considerably less than expected. The initial quote was approximately $115,000. The City advertised bids and was pleased that the bids came in significantly lower than expected with a winning bid at $74,240. A contract was signed, and the work will begin soon. The boiler will be installed by May 15, in time for the pool to be open for summer swimming.

Secondly, community donations are expected to cover the entire cost of the repair! Because the boiler replacement far exceeds the pool’s current allowable budget, the City, on behalf of the Pool Board, set up an account to accept tax deductible donations to replace the boiler. Our amazing community quickly stepped up and as of April 2, the City has received donations totaling $69,032.91. 

The City was also notified this week that Oregon Pacific Bank (OPB) will donate $2,500 from the local branch with a matching grant of $7,500 from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), for a total grant award of $10,000. 

We are excited that the pool will soon be back in service for our community.

Donation totals:

• 03/27/24 – 04/02/24: received $8,520 in donations- total of $69,032.91. Donors include Jay and Vicki Farr; Karen Blew; and Marilyn Wilson
• 03/20/24 – 03/26/24: received $9,600 in donations- total of $60,512.91. Donors include Jerry and Bonnie Smith; Doug and Cricket Soules; Mary Paczesniak; John and Teri Whitty.
• 03/13/24 – 03/19/24: received $2,100 in donations- total of $50,912.91. Donors include Jon and Lee Littlefield.
• 03/06/24 – 03/12/24: received $6,386.66 - total of $48,812.91. Donors include Donald Strother.
• 2/28/24 – 3/4/24: received $29,076.25-total of $42,426.25. Donors include Alan and Mary Ann Whitney.  
• 2/21/24 – 2/27/2: received $600- total of $13,350.00. Donors include Amy Levin. 
• 2/14/24 - 2/20/24: received $900- total of $12,750.00. Donors include Leslie Thallon and Tami Pleasanton. 
• 2/7/24 – 2/13/24: received $6,750- total of $11,850.00. Donors include Paul Harris, Christine Moffitt, Jan Hodder, and Mike Graybill.
• As of 2/6/24, received $5,100- Donors include Jamie Fereday and Margie Ryan.

Not all donors wish to be recognized by name. 

Staff from the Department of Land Conservation and Development is conducting a survey to gather feedback from childcare providers. The goal is to help the Child Care Facility Barriers work group identify and address obstacles in zoning, building codes, and permits for starting or expanding childcare facilities. This work was mandated by the legislature in 2023, with the final recommendations due by the end of 2024.

This survey is intended for individuals who have experience in establishing or expanding childcare businesses in Oregon, including those who have dealt with zoning and permitting processes for various types of childcare providers. We also want to hear from providers who have thought about or attempted opening a new business or expanding an existing one but decided not to move forward with the process for any reason.

Your input is crucial to understanding and addressing existing barriers. The survey is open through April 15, 2024.

City of Coos Bay Parks Commission Adopt-A-Park Pilot Program is seeking a few skilled volunteers to help with a project at the Mingus Park Community Building-Historic WPA Scout Cabin. The work will begin Friday, April 12 from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. and continue through the weekend based on tasks completed.

If you are skilled with basic carpentry, cutting up smaller branches/logs for brush removal, specific demolition of small structures or cleaning up weeds/debris, please contact adoptapark@coosbayor.gov for information on the three projects and how to sign up to volunteer.

Working conditions may include lifting, bending, twisting moving items on uneven ground and possible rainy/wet environment. Thank you!

Prospective students, families and community members of all ages are invited to join Southwestern Oregon Community College for the inaugural “Laker Day” at the College’s Coos Campus. This free, in-person event promises a day filled with informative activities, engagement, and opportunities to discover all Southwestern has to offer. Anyone eager to explore higher education possibilities is encouraged to RSVP and attend:

Date/Time: Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (check-in starts at 9:30 a.m.)

Location: Check-in at Umpqua Hall (1988 Newmark Ave, Coos Bay) Activities will take place all-around campus

RSVP: RSVP for Laker Day HERE

For more information, contact Katie Sifford, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Southwestern via email (katie.sifford@socc.edu) or call 541-888-1595.

Economic Revitalization Administrator

Firefighter/Engineer

The City of Coos Bay is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Firefighter/Engineer. Interested parties should go to the National Testing Network website www.nationaltestingnetwork.com and register as a firefighter candidate. Candidates should then complete and submit the National Testing Network (NTN) application, complete the Fire Team test, and have a valid Professionally Recognized Physical Ability Test dated no earlier than May 16, 2023. All testing must be complete prior to an applicant being considered for the application pool.  

• Type: Full Time
• Salary/Pay Rate: $5397 - $6889/month DOQ
• Deadline to Apply: 05/03/2024 5 p.m.

The deadline for receiving completed test scores at the National Testing Network is 5 p.m., May 3, 2024. Scores received after the May 3 deadline will not be considered. Coos Bay Fire Department will select a limited number of candidates from the list provided by the National Testing Network. Selected candidates will be invited to complete a City of Coos Bay employment application and participate in a competitive selection process.

Lateral Candidates: Lateral candidates with at least two years of full-time paid firefighting experience are not required to complete the National Testing Network Fire Team test or physical abilities test. Lateral candidates must contact Battalion Chief Jeff Adkins at jadkins@coosbayor.gov prior to the close date of May 3, 2024, to obtain a City of Coos Bay Fire Department employment application and to verify experience.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK:  An employee in this classification may perform any of the following duties.  However, these examples do not include all the specific tasks which an employee may be expected to perform:

1. Responds to fire alarms and emergencies with fire apparatus. Operates apparatus, pumps and other mechanical equipment. Performs hose lays, ladder, salvage, rescue, ventilation and clean-up operations. Uses specialized firefighting equipment and tools.  Works with volunteers.
2. Maintains fire apparatus, equipment, facilities and grounds in good repair and readiness, including housekeeping, maintenance, yard work, painting and cleaning. Makes daily, weekly and monthly inspections of firefighting apparatus and equipment and makes minor mechanical repairs as needed. Prepares records concerning division activities, equipment and materials.
3. Attends drills/training sessions to continuously update the skills and knowledge required for effective work performance. Practices firefighting, rescue and medical assistance skills. Assists in training volunteers and cadets.
4. Assists in pre-fire planning, fire inspections, fire prevention, public relations and education and information activities.
5. Inspects commercial, industrial and other buildings and dwellings for fire hazards, efficiency of fire protective equipment and general compliance with fire prevention regulations. Enforces federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to fire prevention.
6. Complies with department and division procedures and policies.

HIRING PROCESS:  Applicants must complete the National Testing Network Fire Team test by 5 p.m. May 3, 2024, as specified in this job announcement. All applicants will be notified of the final status of their application.  Proof of successful completion of a Nationally Recognized Physical Agility Test is required at the May 3 deadline.

• April 1, 2024 – May 3, 2024…Written Exam – Scheduled by the candidate at NTN site or online.
• May 16, 2024...................... Candidate Evaluation - (Selected Applicants will be notified of time)
• May 17, 2024...................... Chief’s Interview – (Selected Applicants will be notified of time)
• June 17, 2024……………...Anticipated Start Date

Accounting Tech I

The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of Accounting Tech I. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the HR Office or by email jspencer@coosbayor.gov. City applications are available from the Finance Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov or on the City’s website at https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/job-openings.

• Type: Full Time
• Salary/Pay Rate: $4076 - $5084/month DOQ
• Deadline to Apply: 04/05/2024 5 p.m.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Performs moderately complex work involving the application of bookkeeping and accounting principles in the maintenance of manual and computerized financial records. The primary duties of this position are (1) counter and telephone reception; (2) preparing all outgoing mail; (3) issuing checks for Accounts Payable and reviewing final payment packets; (4) preparing and compiling journal entries for entry into General Ledger module; (5) monthly reconciliation of Accounts Receivable modules to General Ledger; and (6) maintaining parking database and overseeing collections monthly. Other duties are coordinating and responding to public records requests and processing calculation of sewer credit requests. Incumbents in this position will be cross-trained to perform in backup capacity as necessary for specific clerk and accounting functions, including preparing and processing accounts payable for check runs, maintaining purchase order system, processing invoices and entry into the Fixed Asset module, and maintaining Accounts Receivable database. This position is required to perform related work as needed.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the supervision of the Finance Director who reviews work for accuracy and conformance with established procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervision of others is not a responsibility of an employee in this class.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK: An employee in this classification may perform any of the following duties. However, these examples do not include all the specific tasks which an employee may be expected to perform.

1. Serves as a receptionist and cashier, takes payments, and makes change. Answers a variety of questions from the public, as well as other city personnel. Responsible for cash drawer security. Responsible for outgoing mail.
2. Responsible for reconciling monies from library, visitor information center, and RV collections. Responsible for entering ACH cash receipts received such as tax collections, water board collections, franchise fees, etc. 
3. Receipts various city revenues such as license payments, parking citations, court fines, rental fees, transient taxes, moorage and other accounts receivable. Answers varied questions concerning these billings.
4. Prints Accounts Payable Checks and reviews final check payment packets for accuracy.
5. Prepares recurring journal entries, such as credit card allocation, copy machine allocation, postage allocation, and interest allocation.
6. Updates Parking Database as citation fees received, prepares correspondence for non- payment and assessment of late fee, and compiles unpaid citations for review/ submission to collections.
7. Reviews and verifies expense entries at month-end; prepares journal entries as needed to properly record financial activities.
8. Performs a variety of clerical duties related to accounting. Prepares journals, ledgers, and other accounting records. Prepares statements, invoices and routine reports, verifies records.
9. Assists with audit preparation.
10. Records and labels financial records for retention, assigning destruction dates per the Oregon State Archives City General Records Retention Schedule.
11. Incumbents are cross-trained to provide back-up support for other accounting positions. Serves with other staff to perform other duties as required.
12. Presents to staff and the public a professional and courteous behavior that advocates good morale.
13. Practices work place safety following the City’s policies and procedures.

Hiring Process: Applicants must complete and submit the required City application packet by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 5, as specified in this job announcement. All applicants will be notified of the final status of their application via email.

Application Acceptance Period: ................................ March 21^st – April 5th

First Review of Applications: .....................................April 8^th – April 9^th  

First Interviews with Selected Candidates: ............... April 10^th – April 12^th   

Second Interviews as Needed ……….…………………….…. Week of April 15^th  

Earliest Offer of Employment: ..................................April 17^th, 2024        

Projected Start Date: ...............................................May 1^st, 2024

Note: The City reserves the right to conduct additional interviews, and this may affect the projected date for offer of employment. 

City of Coos Bay 500 Central Ave. Coos Bay, OR 97420

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list