Though progress has been made, city still hiring

The past few years have seen a shortage of staff at the city and, this week, progress in shrinking those shortages will be celebrated as part of “public service recognition week,” which aims to recognize and honor all city employees as well as bring awareness to current openings. At the moment, the city has a vacancy rate of 15.3 percent, which is the lowest it has been since February 2022. A press release about the week of recognition notes gains in hiring, including 207 filled positions at Austin Energy in Fiscal Year 2023, gains in lifeguard recruiting that will enable the pool system to operate this summer, and a number of vacancies that remain in the Public Works Department. A list of open positions at the city can be found on the city’s website.