Human resources: hiring, training and employee tenure highlighted amid tight staffing
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Summary
HR Director Kirsten Peterson said the HR team of three manages nearly 500 employees, completed 22 hires (48% residents), ran extensive training including active-shooter and AED/CPR, and reported average employee tenure of seven years at Sun City West rec centers.
Kirsten Peterson, director of human resources, said the HR team of three supports roughly 500 employees across 26 locations and 51 buildings and manages hiring, compliance and employee-support programs.
Peterson described the department’s year: 22 hires in the last year (48% of new hires were Sun City West residents), management of about 370 employment changes during benefits renewals, and extensive training programs including active‑shooter training run with Maricopa County and AED/CPR training provided with the fire department.
She noted the district’s workforce retention exceeds industry norms: "Our actual tenure for employees here at the rec centers of Sun City West is 7 years," she said, compared with an industry average closer to two years. Peterson also highlighted recognition programs, veteran recognition and tenure awards, and described handling family-leave and other compliance-sensitive matters.
Peterson said the HR department performs background checks and drug testing during hiring, manages benefit renewals and navigates laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Affordable Care Act and the Family Medical Leave Act.