MANAGEMENT-PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENT POLICY 06-27-2018.PDF

MARICOPA COUNTY INTERNAL POLICY
Policy Title: Policy Number: HR2476
MANAGEMENT/PROFESSIONAL
Current Adoption Date: 06-27-2018
ASSIGNMENT
Current Implementation Date: 06-27-2018
Approved by: Board Agenda Number: C-31-18-055-6-00
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Original Adoption Date: 06-27-2018
I. PURPOSE
To provide a mechanism under which management/professional assignments (MPAs) may be used.
II. AUTHORITY
This Policy is authorized by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to A.R.S.§11-251.
III. APPLICATION
This policy applies to all Maricopa County elected offices and appointed departments as well as the Flood Control
District, the Library District, and the Stadium District. This includes all full and part-time probationary, contract,
classified, unclassified, and temporary employees.
IV. DEFINITIONS
A. Appointing Authority: An elected official, the single administrative or executive head of a department, or the
designated representative authorized to act in this capacity.
B. Management/Professional Assignment (MPA): A non-permanent assignment into a higher level
management or professional role that would otherwise typically be assigned to a regular budgeted position.
C. Management/Professional Assignment Pay: A non-permanent amount of additional pay that an
employee may receive while on a management/professional assignment.
V. POLICY
A. In lieu of promoting employees into higher level budgeted positions, Appointing Authorities may assign them
into non-permanent, higher level management or professional roles where MPA Pay may be authorized.
B. The Board of Supervisors must approve MPA Pay amounts.
C. Number of MPAs: Determining the number of assignments for a department will follow a process similar to
that used by departments to request a permanent position. A department’s reason for increasing the number
of assignments will be reviewed by Human Resources and the Budget Office.
D. Selection of Employees: Appointing Authorities must follow a fair and equitable process to select employees
for these assignments. Employees must meet the minimum qualifications for the assignment.
E. Effective Date: The date the Appointing Authority determines that the employee officially began the
assignment. Whenever possible, MPAs should begin at the beginning of a pay period.
F. Funding: Departments must fund MPA Pay within their existing budget and demonstrate it does not create
a future unfunded obligation.

Policy Number: HR2476
Policy Title:
MANAGEMENT/PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENT
Current Adoption Date: 06-27-2018
G. Returning from MPAs: Once an MPA is no longer necessary, the department should end the MPA
immediately. A reduction in, or rescission of, MPA Pay does not constitute a demotion and is not subject
to appeal to the Merit Commission. Whenever possible, MPAs should end at the beginning of a pay period.
H. MPAs vs SWAs: MPAs differ from special work assignments (SWAs) in that MPAs can be for an indefinite
period of time, are for roles that would otherwise typically be assigned to regular budgeted positions, and are
paid during non-work paid hours such as vacation time and sick leave. SWAs are for shorter, more temporary
time frames and are only paid on hours worked.
I. The County Manager or designee may approve exceptions to this policy that are consistent with the intent of
the policy.
Revision History
Version Revision Date Description of Revision
1 06-27-2018 Initial version (C-31-18-055-6-00)
Page 2 of 2