Pasadena : Curiel Named to New Post

Ramon Curiel, the city’s Affirmative Action director, has been appointed temporarily to the new post of director of human resources, which will oversee the Affirmative Action office and the Personnel Department.

The switch in jobs and the creation of the new position with an annual salary of $81,225 was approved Tuesday by the Board of Directors. The change was made in part to fill a vacancy that will be created by the Feb. 8 departure of Kermit Francis, the city’s director of personnel and employee relations. Francis’ job and Curiel’s former job also will be filled temporarily by city staff members.

City officials did not specify how long the temporary appointments will last.

City Manager Donald McIntyre suggested the organizational change because the city is undergoing an audit of its personnel policies and practices. The city will need someone in a top personnel and Affirmative Action job to respond to the audit, he said. McIntyre said Curiel also will be expected to work on any audit-recommended changes with a new city manager after McIntyre retires in June.

The audit was ordered by the city after minorities accused the city of bias against blacks and Latinos in hiring and promotions, and is expected to be completed in in May.