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Q&A
Challenges in hiring and filling vacancies at DOT
3:21:14
ยท
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Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about impediments to hiring and filling vacancies at DOT. Paul Ochoa explains the current situation and strategies to attract quality candidates.
- DOT is still under a two-for-one hiring freeze, with some exceptions
- The hiring freeze has been lifted for key engineering positions
- Government pay is generally lower than the private sector
- DOT offers attractive benefits, including a defined pension plan, shorter work week, and healthcare
- The mayor recently announced an expansion of remote work options, which has helped with recruitment and retention
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
3:21:14
Is there an impediment to hiring and filling vacancies?
3:21:19
If so, what is it?
3:21:20
Are current salaries competitive enough to attract quality candidates?
Paul Ochoa
3:21:28
They they are.
3:21:29
Listen, we still DOT is still under a two for one hiring freeze.
3:21:34
However, just recently, the mayor, the commissioner, and the budget director have agreed to lift that hiring freeze for engineering positions key to our construction program.
3:21:45
So civil engineers, construction project managers, electrical engineers, traffic engineers, essentially the engineers that we need to execute some of that work.
3:21:54
Listen, pay in the government is still, and it may all may be for near future at least, lower than the private sector.
3:22:04
However, we still offer a defined pension plan, is obviously very attractive for a lot of people.
3:22:11
Our work week is thirty five hours a week compared to the private sector that is usually forty plus.
3:22:18
We do provide some cash overtime and comp time and healthcare and other ways that we're able to attract good talent.