Merced County Reviews Job Vacancies and Recruitment Strategies Amid Staffing Shortages

The Merced County Board of Supervisors meeting on August 26, 2025, focused on critical staffing issues within the county, particularly in response to Assembly Bill 2561, which mandates public agencies to hold annual public hearings on job vacancies and retention strategies. Deputy CEO Moniz presented the county's vacancy and retention rates, revealing that the overall vacancy rate for full-time positions fluctuated between 9% and 17.3% over the past five years, with a current rate of 14.6% for the reporting period from October 2024 to March 2025.

The meeting highlighted significant challenges in recruitment, especially within the health services sector, where the AFSCME unit reported a vacancy rate of 32.9%. Moniz noted that the county has been actively engaged in recruitment efforts, including partnerships with local colleges and job fairs, to attract candidates for hard-to-fill positions. The county has also implemented a two-year contract with AFSCME that includes salary increases and improved health insurance caps to enhance employee retention.

Representatives from various employee associations voiced concerns about staffing shortages, particularly in the District Attorney's office, which is facing a nearly 20% vacancy rate. The president of the Merced County Deputy Sheriff's Association highlighted the financial barriers to recruitment, noting that salaries in rural counties like Merced often lag behind urban counterparts, making it difficult to attract qualified candidates. The rising costs of healthcare and the impact of public perception on recruitment were also discussed as significant challenges.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from county officials to explore further recruitment strategies, including evaluating minimum qualifications for positions and increasing visibility of job openings on social media. The discussions underscored the ongoing efforts to address staffing shortages and improve employee retention in Merced County, which are critical for maintaining public safety and effective county services.