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    Q&A
            DCLA's vacancy rates and impact on work with Harlem institutions
2:53:48
·
62 sec
Council Member Salaam inquires about DCLA's vacancy rate and its impact on working with Harlem-based institutions, particularly regarding CDF funding processes. Commissioner Cumbo provides information on current vacancies and recent hires.
- DCLA has a 17.6% vacancy rate as of March 2025
- Cumbo reports two current vacancies, with active interviewing in progress
- A recent hire, Audrey St. Clair, has been brought on to manage the CDF process
- Cumbo emphasizes the importance of careful hiring and due diligence in the process
                                
                                    Yusef Salaam
                                
                            
                            
                                            
                                            2:53:48
                                        
                                        And, lastly, vacancy rates and staffing capacity.
                                    
                                            
                                            2:53:52
                                        
                                        The department has a vacancy rate of 17.6% as of March 2025.
                                    
                                            
                                            2:53:57
                                        
                                        Does this staffing shortage impact the agency's ability to work closely with Harlem based institutions and applicants, particularly when navigating application and compliance processes for CDF funding?
                                    
                                
                                    Lauri Cumbo
                                
                            
                            
                                            
                                            2:54:09
                                        
                                        We have two vacancies and so we are actively interviewing for those two vacancies within our office.
                                    
                                            
                                            2:54:17
                                        
                                        I am they say you should take a long time to hire.
                                    
                                            
                                            2:54:23
                                        
                                        So I'm in the very long time to hire because we want to check references.
                                    
                                            
                                            2:54:28
                                        
                                        We want to make sure that this is a good fit.
                                    
                                            
                                            2:54:30
                                        
                                        So I want to make sure that we do our due diligence and make the right hires.
                                    
                                            
                                            2:54:33
                                        
                                        We are thrilled with our recent hire for the CDF process.
                                    
                                            
                                            2:54:39
                                        
                                        Audrey St.
                                    
                                            
                                            2:54:40
                                        
                                        Clair has recently come on to make sure that we have a robust CDF process and we're really happy with that experience of working with her.
                                    