Opinion ID: 2205569
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Combination Exemption.

Text: The district court found the sergeants serving as motor carrier safety assistance program (MCSAP) coordinators and safety education sergeants exempt under the executive and administrative exemptions. The regulations allow a combination exemption based on administrative and management responsibilities when an employee's primary duty is neither management nor administration. Auer, 65 F.3d at 722 (citing 29 C.F.R. § 541.600(d)). To prove the combination exemption, the employer cannot rely on a combination of the short tests, but must show the employee qualifies on a combination of the long tests. Shockley, 997 F.2d at 29. The district court did not make any findings necessary for the application of a combination exemption under the long tests. If, however, the findings support the application of either the executive or the administrative exemption under the short tests, we can determine whether these positions are exempt without remanding the case to the district court for further consideration. Auer, 65 F.3d at 722.
A lieutenant or sergeant fills the MCSAP position. The district court found the lieutenant's position was exempt due to its executive and administrative status. Therefore, the district court concluded the sergeant's position was likewise exempt. The district court, however, only found the lieutenant position to be administratively exempt. Because the district court only made findings of fact as to the administrative exemption, we will only review this position as to that exemption. Our examination of the record confirms the sergeant in this position coordinates a federally funded program of the federal highway administration known as the MCSAP. The program's purpose is to concentrate enforcement efforts on drivers of large commercial vehicles. Although the MCSAP sergeant has patrol duties, substantial evidence supports the district court's findings that the primary duties of an MCSAP sergeant is to write training manuals, schedule training sessions, review trooper reports, put together operational plans, develop reporting mechanisms with the federal agency, plan special enforcement projects, and make sure the patrol complies with the requirements of the program. These duties are non-manual administrative duties that require the exercise of discretion and independent judgment. Thus, this sergeant's position qualifies for the administrative exemption.
The district court found the primary focus of the safety education program is to provide information to the public through presentations for the purpose of creating greater awareness for safety. As part of this program, the safety education officers speak to schools and other groups concerning issues relating to public safety. This position oversees the safety education efforts of other officers and provides input for evaluations of other safety education officers' performance. We believe substantial evidence supports these findings. To perform these tasks, the sergeant must use discretion and independent judgment. Making recommendations, evaluating other officers, planning presentations, and training are all non-manual tasks directly related to management policies or general business operations of the patrol. Substantial evidence supports the district court's finding these sergeants are exempt administrators.