City of Boulder

Tucked into a picturesque valley below the iconic Flatirons, Boulder is an incredible place to live, work and play. The City of Boulder municipal government has served the Boulder community since 1871. Boulder is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just 35 miles northwest of Denver. Home of the University of Colorado’s main campus and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder sits 5,430 feet above sea level and is surrounded by a greenbelt of city trails and open spaces. Boulder is known for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation, natural product retailers and restaurants, outstanding transportation options, diverse businesses, and technological and academic resources. 

Location: Denver, CO 
Category: Government Administration
Industry: Government Sector 
Size: 2,000+ Employees 

Problem

Before the City of Boulder engaged with our team, they were struggling with challenges stemming from a compensation structure roll-out that lacked a consultative and inclusive approach. The prior roll-out had been completed without full engagement from leadership, including union leaders, or City staff. The absence of feedback regarding ongoing recruitment and retention challenges as well as a lack of current job descriptions further complicated the situation. In response to these challenges, our HR team took a multifaceted approach to find effective solutions.

Solution

Our initial project discovery required an in-depth understanding of the current systems in place and what contributed to concerns with the previous roll-out. We conducted meetings with City of Boulder department leaders soliciting ongoing feedback on the impact of the City’s compensation program and what needed to be addressed in the next iteration. Recognizing the importance of collaboration, we also engaged with union leaders, ensuring we addressed issues and concerns of their diverse workforce.

We conducted a classification review and thorough market analysis of the City’s 750 positions. This review encompassed an analysis of job duties, internal organizational structure, industry benchmarking, and department specific concerns and feedback. The solutions implemented included a revised compensation structure and position classifications, addressing the deficiencies from the initial roll-out. Our team also conducted a thorough evaluation of internal equity across the City of Boulder’s diverse workforce of over 2,000 employees. This comprehensive approach aimed not only to rectify the existing challenges but also to create a more equitable and transparent compensation system for the City of Boulder.

Results

The new compensation structure, backed by job descriptions and informed by input from leadership, union representatives, and various departments, provided a more accurate reflection of market conditions and internal equity. This not only addressed the initial concerns but also laid the groundwork for improved employee satisfaction, streamlined processes, and a more equitable and competitive compensation framework for the City of Boulder’s workforce.