Early Christmas? Lee administration announces pay raises for most executive branch workers
Nearly three-fourths of executive branch employees in Tennessee can look forward to pay raises when they receive their next paychecks on Dec. 15.
Human Resources Commissioner Juan Williams and Finance Commissioner outlined the pay hikes in a letter to lawmakers on Thursday:
Dear Honorable Members of the Tennessee General Assembly,
It is with tremendous excitement that we announce the implementation of a new salary structure for Executive Branch employees.
The changes result from a statewide compensation study conducted to evaluate the State of Tennessee’s competitiveness to attract and retain best-in-class talent. Over the past six weeks, agency HROs, CFOs, and compensation leaders across the Executive Branch have been preparing to implement this historic investment in our state’s workforce. We would like to thank each of you for providing the funds necessary to keep Tennessee State Government more competitive with current market conditions.
Today, employees will receive an email communication that aligns with one of the four salary adjustment outcomes listed below:
1. Employees being brought to the minimum+ 1% of their salary grade: “It has been determined that your current salary will be increased to align with the new salary structure. You will be brought to 1% above the minimum of your new salary grade. You will be able to view your new salary in Edison starting today, which will be reflected in your paycheck on December 15, 2022.”
2. Employees receiving an adjustment due to compression: “It has been determined that your current salary will be increased to align with the new salary structure. More specifically, your salary adjustment ensures an appropriate placement within the new range to account for compression and to maintain pay equity among employees based on proficiency levels and reporting relationships. You will be able to view your new salary in Edison starting today, which will be reflected in your paycheck on December 15, 2022.”
3. Employees currently paid a market competitive salary and not receiving an adjustment: “After a careful review of your current position and salary, we are pleased to inform you that you are currently paid at or above the competitive market rate for your role. Therefore, your next opportunity for a pay increase will coincide with your annual performance evaluation.”
4. Executive Branch employees currently paid based on a different salary structure and not receiving an adjustment: “Based on your current role or circumstance, there will be no impact on your compensation from the implementation of the new Executive Branch salary structure. As a reminder, compensation adjustments to your role are determined by a separate process. Therefore, this change does not impact your immediate compensation or opportunity for increases in the future.”
Due to the allocation of funds from the State Legislature, 73% of employees who fall under the new salary structure will receive a pay increase. This is a tremendous investment and positive step forward in attracting and retaining best-in-class talent to the State.
On behalf of the Executive Branch employees of the State of Tennessee, we want to thank you for all your support. We are excited about the State’s investment in its people and showing them that the State of Tennessee is a great place to work.
/signed/
Juan Williams, Commissioner of Human Resources, and Jim Bryson, Commissioner of Finance and Administrations
MyTN app wins government experience award
The state of Tennessee’s MyTN app has won a Government Experience Award from the Center for Digital Government.
“Tennessee’s central technology division continues to win recognition for its advancement of services to citizens,” Finance Commissioner Jim Bryson said in a release. “The division is working hard to stay a step ahead in bringing the latest technology solutions to the state in today’s fast-paced technology environment.”
Here’s the release from the state Finance Department:
NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s mobile app connecting citizens to state services is named in the Center for Digital Government’s annual awards. MyTN provides a single point of access to a growing list of government services whenever and wherever users need it and offers notification and alert systems to keep users up to date. MyTN is a product of the Department of Finance and Administration’s Strategic Technology Solutions (STS) and the Customer Focused Government division.
“Tennessee’s central technology division continues to win recognition for its advancement of services to citizens. The division is working hard to stay a step ahead in bringing the latest technology solutions to the state in today’s fast-paced technology environment,” Commissioner Jim Bryson said. “It’s great to work with people committed to excellence in all they do for Tennessee.”
The MyTN project is one of 13 from across the nation receiving the center’s Government Experience Awards for projects having a single area of focus. The awards recognize the achievements and best practices of states, cities and counties that are radically improving the experience of government services.
Download MyTN in the Apple App store or in Google Play. Users can create an account in MyTN to access more features, such as bookmarking your favorite services, personalized alerts regarding your account and access to additional services.
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. CDG is a division of e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education. STS serves as the central information technology service bureau to state departments and commissions, providing planning, resources, execution and coordination in managing information systems needs.
State parks closure extended until further notice
A workout area is taped off in Nashville due to the coronavirus pandemic on April 2, 2020. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
The closure of Tennessee’s 56 state parks and natural areas had been scheduled to expire on Tuesday. Now it’s been extended until further notice.
“We want to make sure that when we do reopen, visitors and our park staff can feel confident in their safety,” said Jim Bryson, the deputy commissioner of the state Department of Environment and Conservation. “With health and safety at the forefront, we look forward to getting people back into the outdoors – beyond their backyards and neighborhoods – to experience the natural wonders our state has to offer.”
Here’s the full release from TDEC:
NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Parks today announced it will extend the closure of all 56 state parks as officials at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation continue to monitor health and safety guidance related to COVID-19.
The announcement extends Tennessee State Parks’ current closure beyond the previously announced April 14. Officials are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will notify the public when parks reopen.
“We are grateful for the cooperation and understanding of Tennesseans during this difficult period,” Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said. “We are extending closure of the parks in the interest of safety for everyone.”
Tennessee has one of the top state park systems in the country. As the weather grew warmer, state parks saw staggering increases in visitor traffic, including from out of state visitors. While normally desirable, this increased visitation presented situations where it was difficult for park visitors and staff to maintain safe distances from each other.
“We want to make sure that when we do reopen, visitors and our park staff can feel confident in their safety,” Bryson said. “With health and safety at the forefront, we look forward to getting people back into the outdoors – beyond their backyards and neighborhoods – to experience the natural wonders our state has to offer.”
Former Republican gubernatorial nominee joins Lee administration
Jim Bryson (handout photo)
Jim Bryson, a onetime Republican gubernatorial nominee, is joining Gov. Bill Lee’s administration.
Bryson was a state senator when he lost to then-Gov. Phil Bredesen in the 2006 governor’s race. He has been appointed deputy commissioner of parks and conservation at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Bryson joins a fellow former state lawmaker Joe Carr as a deputy commissioner at the agency.
Here’s the full release from the Lee administration:
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner David Salyers today announced the appointment of Jim Bryson as deputy commissioner of Parks and Conservation at TDEC.
“Jim’s experience in business, state government and community involvement, coupled with his passion for the outdoors, makes him uniquely qualified for this position,” Salyers said. “I look forward to working with Jim to make Tennessee State Parks the best run state park system in the nation.”
