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Omaha Public Schools eases steamfitter hiring requirements to fill vacancies
Summary
The OPS Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding that removes a current steamfitter-license hiring requirement and gives new hires six months to obtain the license, after the district reported three open positions.
The Board of Education of Douglas County School District No. 1 on May 19 approved a memorandum of understanding allowing Omaha Public Schools to hire steamfitters without an existing journeyman license and to give new hires six months to obtain it.
The change, presented by a district maintenance official, is intended to expand the applicant pool for a trade the district described as difficult to staff. "Steamfitters is a very hard to fill position right now. We currently have 3 vacancies," the presenter said. He added the MOU would "remove the criteria of having the steamfitters license and giving an eligible participant 6 months to gain that license in order to be hired."
The action was moved by Board Member Thielen and seconded by Dr. Holman. The board voted by roll call; the motion passed on a 7-0 tally.
Board members asked for the item to be pulled from consent for discussion before the vote. The board provided no additional conditions on the MOU during the meeting; the district did not specify a timeline for measuring whether the change reduces vacancies.
The approved MOU affects internal hiring criteria administered by the district's maintenance and crafts division. No changes to licensing law or external credentialing requirements were proposed; the district will allow a six-month period after hire for a new employee to obtain the trade license. The board did not direct additional follow-up reports during the meeting.
The vote concludes formal board approval of the memorandum; implementation and operational oversight will be handled by district staff.
