Human Resources
Employment Services Update

How do you find information about job openings with the City of El Paso? Do you depend on the local newspaper classified section, job announcements posted at various city locations, word of mouth or random access to the internet? Do you have a current email address? If so, have we got a deal for you!

One of the key factors to successfully finding the right job is information. This information needs to be current, easily accessible and accurate. Did you know the best way to obtain this information is through the city's Human Resources web site? By utilizing this web site, you have immediate access to job announcements, job specifications, salary ranges and the application process including the application forms for each job opening.

The best part of this whole deal is being a member of the City's "Job Mailing List" program. By initially logging in through the City of El Paso website at www.elpasotexas.gov and selecting "City Jobs," you will be able to initiate your request to be part of the "Job Mailing List" group. At the Human Resources home page, select "Job Mailing List," enter your email address and you are now one of 7,000+ customers who will receive our job announcements automatically by email every week.

Each week on Friday afternoon, you will receive the current listing of all job openings with the City. No more special trips to City Hall or searching bulletin boards for job announcements. It is timely, accurate and convenient! It's easy to sign-up and you will continue to receive the job mailing lists until you notify us to stop.

Get a jump start on your career and join the list! As always, if you have questions or comments please come by to visit us or contact us via email at cityhr@elpasotexas.gov. We are always here to assist you.

Look for information in the next Newsletter about the new on-line application system that will be deployed in early 2008.

Reinventing Transit

Amidst a myriad of past transit troubles, Sun Metro is resurging with new opportunities and exciting plans destined to provide Sun City residents with nothing less than a first-rate transit system. On October 29th, 2006, the City of El Paso contracted First Transit to manage the city-owned Mass Transit Department, located in El Paso, Texas. New management has refocused Sun Metro's priorities by ensuring core services are in place and by making safety and excellence in customer service a visible component and an integral part of daily operations.

In less than a year's time, Sun Metro has achieved major performance improvements including: a 12% increase in on-time performance; a 4% decrease in missed service; and a 7% projected reduction in road calls. To further improve efficiency, Sun Metro maintains detailed performance and customer service reports which help determine routes in need of adjustments as well as identifying other factors influencing schedule adherence.

Sun Metro is well on its way to replacing the aging fleet with Earth-friendly buses. In addition to the thirty five NABI's that hit the streets in March of this year, twenty more 40-foot low-floor (CNG) natural gas powered buses are slated for delivery by November 2007. Sun Metro is currently in the process of placing an order for 15 Trolley Illusions and 15 Neighborhood Circulators with an expected delivery date for Fall 2008. New equipment coupled with a quality preventative maintenance program will result in fewer road calls and an increase in on-time performance.

Sun Metro's long term operations plan includes the construction of a $40 million Operations and Maintenance Facility, which will house a state-of-the-art maintenance center and a natural gas liquefaction station. Local liquefaction will enable Sun Metro to minimize system disruptions, as a result of interruptions to scheduled fuel deliveries due to natural disasters or production outages. The large scale project will bring with it inherent benefits including: securing the source of supply, cost reduction, long- term price stability, ensuring energy independence and enhancing the local economy.

"Sun Metro has come a long way after last year's troubles," said Director, Tim Omick. Despite the many challenges that lie ahead he says, "I am confident that if we continue to be mindful of the resources we have and work cooperatively, it will only be a matter of time before we become the first-rate transit system that this community expects and deserves."

Fueling Facility Upgrade
Over a decade ago, the City of El Paso made a commitment to provide a transit system powered by clean burning fuels. As the number of natural gas powered buses hitting the road continues to increase, the current fueling station is being used at its capacity, causing the fueling process to become inefficient and creating the need for mid-day refueling. The Mass Transit Board recently strengthened their commitment to public transportation by approving the $2.4 million construction of an upgraded fueling facility. The 8-month construction project began in July and will support Sun Metro in its effort to reduce late pull-outs and increase on-time performance. The fueling station upgrade is expected to be completed in March 2008.

New Collection Technology
Sun Metro is currently expediting the purchase and delivery of new "smart" fare boxes with the capability of issuing bus passes, resulting in efficient passenger boarding times and improved schedule adherence, with better tracking of ridership numbers. "Smart" fare box: maintains accurate ridership counts; issues redesigned fare pass; smart card technology. The current fare boxes frequently get jammed and lack the capability to identify counterfeit day passes, leading to a significant burden on drivers to validate passes and clear fare box jams, while inconveniencing passengers with delayed boarding. Transit Route Supervisors have been trained to clear jammed fare boxes, which has minimized service delays and unnecessary requests for a maintenance technician.

LIFT Declares No Denials
The LIFT management team is well on its way toward achieving its goal of zero denials of customer requested trips. LIFT staff has undergone specialized training in Trapeze and passenger scheduling software, and has begun enforcing existing no-show policies. After the first full week of implementing the new program: the number of missed trips has decreased by 28%; customer denials dropped from an average 24 per day to 4 or 5 denials per day; on-time performance increased to 94.3%; and the increased efficiency in scheduling frequent users has led to a 50% decrease in average caller wait times. Service is expected to continue improve further with the delivery of new paratransit units. On April 2, 2007, the Mass Transit Board approved $1.4 million dollars for the purchase of 25 paratransit buses scheduled for delivery in November 2007.

Excellence in Customer Service
Sun Metro is implementing new management strategies, all of which focus on providing excellence in customer service. Sun Metro updated its mission statement: "To provide a safe, reliable, clean bus driven by a professional coach operator that practices excellent customer service." The new mission statement more accurately reflects Sun Metro's goal of returning back to the basics of transit. Senior Management Staff has set up an open door policy and is actively seeking that both employees and the community become engaged and assist in providing the input necessary for effective implementation of service improvements. Sun Metro is also placing safety into every facet of daily operations with a highly visible safety program that encourages the daily execution of best safety practices.

Neighborhood Services:
Improving El Paso Neighborhoods

The City of El Paso's Neighborhood Services, Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) is a vital element of the City's ongoing effort to preserve and improve El Paso's residential neighborhoods. The NIP is part of the overall Capital Budget that was approved by City Council in 2006. This program's total budget is $1,000,000, of which each Representative District was allocated $125,000. City Council approved $528,260 worth of NIP projects throughout El Paso in the first round. Round II includes $471,740 worth of funding not spent in Round I. The remaining funds are broken down by Representative District as follows:

District 1 -	$ 19,600 Remaining
District 2 -	$ 79,600 Remaining
District 3 -	$ 75,000 Remaining
District 4 -	$ 55,140 Remaining
District 5 -	$ 75,200 Remaining
District 6 -	$115,800 Remaining
District 7 -	$ 51,400 Remaining
District 8 -	$125,000 allocated in Round I - No funds available in Round II

NIP funds are for permanent public improvements on City of El Paso property. Neighborhoods may be eligible to apply for funds of up to $50,000 for neighborhood public improvements. All NIP project requests must be submitted by the neighborhood's Recognized Neighborhood Association (RNA). However, in such case where a neighborhood is not represented by an RNA, the neighborhood residents upon reaching a consensus may request an NIP proposal be submitted by the representing Civic Association.

You may download the application and guide from the City website:

NIP Application: http://www.elpasotexas.gov/commdev/_documents/NIP%20Application.pdf

NIP Guide: http://www.elpasotexas.gov/commdev/_documents/NIP%20program%20Guide.pdf

There is a mandatory Cost Estimate Workshop for all NIP applicants. The purpose of the workshop is to explain the process for obtaining cost estimates for your project. A total cost estimate for the project must be included in the project proposal. Only City of El Paso Engineering cost estimates will be accepted with the application. As project manager for all approved NIP projects, the city must adhere to all city and state regulations with regards to project expenditures.

If you require a hard copy of the guide and application or have any questions on the Program or workshop please call 541-4647 or email at quimirolz@elpasotexas.gov

Application deadline is NOVEMBER 1, 2007

Plaza News Now Showing at El Paso International Airport

The Paradies Shops, El Paso International Airport and the El Paso Community Foundation held the grand opening of Plaza News on Wednesday, September 26, 2007. The store is modeled after El Paso's famous Plaza Theatre and features design elements celebrating this historic icon. The full-service newsstand provides the traveling public and meeters/greeters with an extensive assortment of news and convenience items.

El Paso International Airport Hosts 1,000 Children at the Media & Special Guest Show

The City of El Paso through its Department of Aviation has been an eight (8) year sponsor of the Friday Guest Airsho. The special performance on Friday, September 21, 2007 allowed 1,000 children and adults from El Paso area communities who are not able to attend the regular Airsho performance due to special needs, the opportunity to view the Airsho. Airsho Pilots greeted children throughout the Airsho from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Biggs Army Airfield.

Mexican Wolf Awareness Weekend - Wolf Howl

November 3&4, 2007
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Mexican Wolf Awareness Weekend at the El Paso Zoo. Learn all about the critically endangered Mexican wolf and how you can help wolves survive in the wilds of Southwest U.S and Mexico. The Zoo is currently home to three female Mexican wolves. El Paso Zoo visitors will have "howling" good time looking at bio-facts, a radio collar and paw prints. Children can color wolf pictures to take home. Enter the Wolf Howling Contest at 11:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. each day - there are three age brackets to compete in for the "wolfiest" howl! Listen to live bands. Local music performances include the Socorro ISD Honors Choir, 6th Grade Orchestra and Honors Band. Keep checking the El Paso Zoo website for more details and updates closer to the event: www.elpasozoo.org

Join fellow members of the El Paso Museum of Art as we continue to explore the Museum’s permanent collection. This Fall, visiting scholars will participate in New Perspectives: Hidden Masterpieces, a lecture series that considers topics related to the Museum’s late Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo art. In her lecture, Caroline P. Murphy will discuss the work of Lavinia Fontana, Christ with the Symbols of the Passion, 1576, oil on canvas, which is on view in the Samuel H. Kress gallery.

Biography
Caroline P. Murphy, a biographer, historian, and specialist in the study of Renaissance women, will speak on “Lavinia Fontana and the Passion of Private Devotion,” focusing on Lavinia Fontana’s painting, Christ with the Symbols of the Passion. She has published two books, Lavinia Fontana; A Painter and Her Patrons in Sixteenth Century Bologna, 2003, and The Pope’s Daughter; The Extraordinary Life of Felice della Rovere, 2005. Recently she was advisory to the National Museum of Women in the Arts exhibition, Italian Women Artists from Renaissance to Baroque, and contributed to the catalogue with an essay called “The Economics of the Woman Artist.”

Save the Date
Join us on Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 2:00pm for the Scholar Lecture: Lavinia Fontana and the Passion of Private Devotion presented by Caroline P. Murphy. A reception will follow. To RSVP please call (915) 532-1707. This event is free to the public. This program was underwritten by the Jack V. and Barbara Price Curlin Fund, El Paso Museum of Art Foundation

Sun Metro 2007 Bus Roadeo

Javier Herrera - 30 Years of Outstanding Service to our Community

Street Department Eastside Street Operations Supervisor, Javier Herrera, has quietly been an integral part of the City of El Paso for over thirty years; and during a City Council meeting in October, Mr. Herrera will be honored for his outstanding service with recognition for his commitment and dedication.

Mr. Herrera started his career with the City through the CETA program as a temporary Laborer in July of 1977 and by October of that same year, he became a permanent employee. After beginning his service in the Street Department as a Labor Foreman I, he quickly began effectively learning and utilizing the complex heavy equipment utilized by the Department and promoted to Equipment Operator II and Equipment Operator III before promoting to the position of Street Operations Supervisor in May of 1991.

As a Street Operations Supervisor, Mr. Herrera has long been responsible for the maintenance of the streets and drainage infrastructure on the eastside of El Paso and is highly respected both within and outside of the Street Department for his leadership and technical knowledge of street maintenance. Among his long list of accomplishments in the Department were his efforts in working to assist the city of Juarez in July of 2006 when the Juarez Dam was nearing a breaching point and the critical leadership role he played in the City of El Paso's response to the severe storms and flooding of August of 2006. Other highlights of his career included helping lead the department's efforts in the removal of three thousand gallons of jet fuel from underground storage tanks at the Airport, assisting the El Paso Police Department in searching for a missing person with heavy equipment supplied by the Street Department, and paving the access road to McKelligon Canyon and installing a decorative red rock coating.

Mr. Herrera is a credit to the City of El Paso and to the Street Department, and has served our community with the highest level of integrity and professionalism. His career has been an exciting adventure, and his greatest pride is in ensuring the safety and quality of the streets of El Paso.

El Paso Fire Department Public Education

On Wednesday, Sept. 26th, inspectors with the Public Education / Public Affairs section participated with other business leaders and area agencies in helping the Assistance League of El Paso celebrate their 40th anniversary of its main philanthropic project - Operation School Bello. Inspectors Rudy Portillo, John Concha, Firefighter Ruben Camacho and Lt. Mario Hernandez assisted with the distribution and fitting of over 50 grade school children from Cedar Grove and Douglas Elementary Schools. Each child received a pair of jeans, shoes, socks, t-shirts, uniform pants and polo shirts, jackets and a sweatshirt from the Assistance League. The children from the schools were chosen by school administrators based on their income levels and these kids were at or below the poverty level. For many of us with grown children and who have been out of practice at selecting and fitting elementary school age children, the task was extremely difficult but we overcame, adapted and performed brilliantly. Ms. Pat De Franc from the Assistance League was very grateful and appreciative for the strong support and participation of the El Paso Fire Department.

During the past 40 years, the members of this all-volunteer organization have clothed over 50,000 El Paso County school children.

SPECIALTY SECTIONS

TAKE ADVANTAGE

Halloween with Parks & Recreation

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will have Halloween festivities going on throughout the city at the different Community Centers on Halloween night. The events, which will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., will feature such activities as friendly haunted houses, costume contests and fun for the entire family. The events are free and open to the public. The community centers that will be hosting Halloween activities are Armijo, Carolina, Chihuahuita, Gary Del Palacio, Galatzan, Leona Ford Washington, Marty Robbins, Multi-Purpose, Nolan Richardson, Veterans, Pavo Real, Rae Gilmore, Seville and San Juan Community Centers. For more information, contact the community center nearest you or call the Parks & Recreation main office at 541-4331.

HEALTH WELLNESS

Remember: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives

Every 2 hours, someone in the United States dies in a fire. The majority of these deaths occur in homes, usually at night after people have gone to bed. Between 2002 and 2005, unintentionally non-fire carbon monoxide poisonings associated with consumer products killed an average of about 135 people each year. These horrifying scenarios are even more disturbing when you realize that many of these deaths could have been avoided if these homes would have had a working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

El Paso Fire Officials would like to remind the El Paso Community that when they change the time on their clocks on Sunday morning, November 4th (One hour back: Fall Back Spring Forward), to also change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

In addition to replacing batteries in smoke and CO alarms, Fire Officials recommend testing them monthly. Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. CO alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area. Battery backup is an important consideration for those alarms that are powered by your home's electrical system

Also, some manufacturers recommend that consumers replace smoke alarms every 10 years and replace CO alarms every 5 years. The sensors in these devices can degrade because of environmental contamination and from age. Working smoke and CO alarms can help protect your family from a fire or CO hazard in your home. Take the time to check that your alarms are working properly. That simple step could save your life.

Grass Cycling

Grass cycling is the practice of leaving grass clippings on the lawn. Use a mulching blade or lawnmower to breakdown grass clippings and leaves then leave them on the ground. It is a simple natural approach to yard care. Grass clippings are 75 to 85 percent water. When done properly, clippings quickly decompose and return the nutrients to the soil. Leaving clippings on the lawn also slows water loss through evaporation and reduces the needs for fertilization. Not only does it make caring for your lawn easier, but it can also reduce your mowing time by 50%.

Yard trimmings make up a large component of municipal waste. It is estimated that grass clippings make up about half of all yard trimmings over the course of the year. Make sure you mow when the lawn is dry and always use a sharp mower blade. Follow the 1/3 rule: mow the lawn often enough so that no more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blade is removed in any one mowing. Proper mowing will produce short clippings that will not cover up the grass surface. You may have to cut the lawn more frequently, or double cut, when the lawn is growing fast, such as in the spring, but much less when the turf is growing slowly.

You can grass cycle with most mowers. The mower collection bag can be removed to allow clippings to drop on the lawn. However, if your mower does not have a safety flap covering the opening where the bag fits into the chute, or a plug for the chute, contact your local retailer to purchase a retrofit kit. A bit of experimentation might be needed to keep clippings from clumping when using a conventional mower.

Free Yoga Classes at EPMA

The El Paso Museum of Art invites the public to participate in Yoga Classes led by instructor Sarah Adleman Speir, RYT. The sessions will last approximately 1 hour, plus a 10 minute introduction to the Peter Max exhibition led by a member of the Museum Staff. Come and learn how the artist Peter Max helped bring Yoga to the United States! All sessions are free of charge but require an RSVP please.

Instructor Biography
Sarah Adleman Speir began to seriously study Yoga in China while teaching English in a government High School. Upon returning to the United States, she completed the Registered Yoga Teacher Training through the Integral Yoga Institute. After moving to El Paso, she opened Whole Health Yoga and has been teaching classes since. Mrs. Spier also teaches for the staff and faculty of UTEP and at the Ardovino's Farmer's Market. She has recently traveled to India and Los Angeles for additional training and continues to pursue further education while concentrating on Yoga as a Therapy. Mrs. Spier believes Yoga is for everyone, it is not about where one use to be or where one wishes to be. It is about where one is. It is about the present. Yoga is a journey to discovering the True Self, the Peace within all of us.

Sessions will be:
Thursday, October 25th at 5:30 pm
Sunday, November 18 at 12:30 pm

Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat if they have one (the instructor will only have a few extra to lend out). People with serious heart conditions should consult a doctor before doing the session. Attendees will meet first in the exhibition then go down to Classroom C for the session. Admission is free but participants will need to RSVP in advance, sign in, and then fill out an evaluation at the end. To RSVP or for more information please call (915) 532-1707 or visit our WEB site at www.elpasoartmuseum.org

The City of El Paso organization and the citizens we serve recently suffered a dear loss. One of our long-standing employees passed away tragically and suddenly this last weekend.

Christina Gomez was a City employee for almost 20 years . She began her career with the city in 1987 as a Clerk-Typist I with the Community Development Department. During her time with the City, she also worked in the Planning Department and at the Water Utilities before she transferred to the Sun Metro - Mass Transit Department in 1989, where she spent the duration of her career serving the citizens of El Paso. Sun Metro recently said of Gomez that, "Chris was a vital component and integral part of our Safety Department and the City of El Paso ... and will be truly missed by everyone."

Events were held this week in memoriam of her, but honoring her memory has not stopped there.

Sun Metro recently announced the naming of next year's Mass Transit roadeo event and subsequent bus roadeos, "The Christina Gomez Memorial Sun Metro Bus Roadeo," in honor of Gomez.

I feel this is an important time to thank each and every employee who has dedicated him/herself to the City, many who make their work here a life-long endeavor. Your service and commitment to this community is invaluable. Thank you.

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