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Port Arthur officials say 73 city jobs open as council presses HR on hiring, overtime and licensing
Summary
City human resources officials told council the city has 73 current vacancies — about a 9% vacancy rate — and described steps to recruit and retain staff, while council members pressed for faster posting of openings, clearer online listings and targeted solutions for licensed utility operators.
Port Arthur human resources officials told the City Council on Aug. 12 that the city currently lists 73 vacancies and is actively recruiting to fill many of them.
The HR presentation and a prolonged council discussion focused on how unfilled positions are driving overtime and operational strain in critical departments, especially utilities. "We have 73 vacancies," HR director Dr. Leila Thigpen said during her presentation, and added the city currently has an "approximately 9% vacancy rate." The HR team said 16 of the vacancies were in the interview stage, leaving 57 open, and that 12 await city manager paperwork to begin active recruitment.
Why it matters: Council members said unfilled positions are causing repeated service problems — for example, irregular trash pickup and high overtime costs in…
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