Commissioners add $240 per-paycheck night-shift incentive for detention officers to address vacancies

Craven County on Feb. 17 amended its personnel resolution to add a $240-per-pay-period incentive for detention officers and supervisors permanently assigned to night shift, a change intended to reduce turnover and ease staffing shortages.

Human-resources staff presented the request, saying the detention center routinely rotates officers between day and night shifts but that rotating schedules have contributed to resignations and hiring challenges. The presenters said there have been roughly 21 vacancies in detention positions and 106 terminations across 43 positions over a recent period. "It has been extremely difficult to recruit and retain detention officers for the past several years," the presenter stated.

The amendment covers up to eight permanently assigned night-shift positions and was estimated to cost $8,068 in salary and benefits per assigned position annually, for a total of $64,544 for eight positions; the remaining eight pay periods of the fiscal year were estimated at $19,860 and the detention budget was reported to have the ability to cover that amount from lapsed salaries.

Commissioners discussed whether daytime incentives should also be considered and the board said a comprehensive classification and compensation study is under request for proposals; that study will include detention officer pay. A motion to adopt the amendment passed on roll-call vote.

The board directed staff to proceed with the incentive for night shift and to continue work on the broader compensation study and other recruitment and retention steps.