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Austin Water reports lower vacancy rate, expands training and youth workforce pilot
Summary
Austin Water officials told the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee the utility reduced its vacancy rate substantially since 2023, is centralizing operational training, and is piloting an eight‑week paid program to prepare high school seniors and young adults for entry‑level water operator licensure.
Shay Rawls Rolston, director of Austin Water, and Israel Custodio, acting assistant director of employee and leadership development, told the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee that the utility has reduced its vacancy rate and is investing in training and a youth workforce pilot.
"I became director in January of 2023," Shay Rawls Rolston said, describing follow‑up work after an external UT review of Austin Water that recommended changes to recruitment, retention and training. Israel Custodio said Austin Water is “an organization of 1,400 plus and we're looking to fill about 118 more positions this year.” Custodio reported a vacancy rate of about 8.3%, and said that represents a…
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