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Newark reports 12.43% citywide vacancy rate at AB 2561 public hearing; police management group highest by percent
Summary
At an informational public hearing required by AB 2561, city HR officials reported 23 vacancies out of 185 budgeted full‑time positions (12.43% as of May 31), described recruitment incentives for police officers and said targeted recruitments for police management positions will open by year's end.
At a public hearing required under Assembly Bill 2561, Newark officials on June 26 presented the city's annual report on staffing vacancies, recruitment and retention strategies and said the current citywide vacancy rate was 12.43% as of May 31.
HR Director Britney Frey told the council that between July 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025 the city hired 33 new employees, promoted nine internally and recorded 19 separations. Out of 185 budgeted full‑time positions the city had 23 vacancies at the reporting date; Frey said the figure puts the city within the typical range for Northern California cities (about 10%–16%). She said, “our current citywide vacancy rate is 12.43%.”
Frey described vacancy rates by bargaining unit: NAM (Newark Association of Miscellaneous Employees) at 2.13%; management, supervisory and professional employees at 13.21%; NPA (Newark Police Association) at 13.89%; NPMA (Newark Police Management Association) at 28.57%. She clarified that NPMA is a small bargaining group with seven positions, so one vacancy produces a large percentage; at the time of the report NPMA had two vacancies: one captain position (covered by internal rotating acting assignments) and a police support services manager post.
Staff described recruitment and retention measures already in place for police and other classifications, including a $5,000 employee referral bonus, hiring incentives for lateral police officers of up to $18,000, moving‑expense reimbursement up to $2,500, a sergeant assigned to recruitment, continuous interviews every two weeks and open, continuous recruitments for lateral and entry level officers. HR said the department had opened 34 recruitments during the period, received about 1,100 citywide applications and maintained 29 active eligible lists.
Frey said filling an internal vacancy typically takes about six weeks; an external hire can take 13 weeks or more because of background and medical clearances. For the two NPMA vacancies staff said they plan to open recruitments “no later than the end of this calendar year.”
The presentation was informational; no action was required.
