NTTA board questions staffing shortfalls; staff say recruitment is increasing and safety operations covered with overtime

Board members pressed NTTA staff on staffing levels and specific vacancies during the executive director report on May 21, asking whether open positions in the Safety Operations Center (SOC) and Roadside Safety Services (RSS) posed safety concerns.

Director Gradley asked for clarity after reviewing the headcount slide, noting that budgeted headcount showed 866 positions and a March headcount of 773, which he calculated as roughly 93 vacancies. Staff acknowledged the vacancies and said recruitment is active. One staff member said earlier in the year the agency had been recruiting for 49 positions and that several new hires were slated to start.

On the two critical safety functions, staff said the SOC had seven positions as of a recent orientation date with one additional hire scheduled to start, while RSS had two open roles the agency was actively recruiting to fill. When asked whether vacancies in SOC or RSS should raise immediate safety concerns, a staff presenter answered, “No. We are doing everything we can, to fill the time with overtime with our other employees.”

Staff said the agency recently added recruiting capacity—a full recruiting team and a new recruiting manager—and increased outreach for posted positions. Board members asked for continued reporting and asked staff to brief them on retention and recruitment strategies. Staff acknowledged turnover in some areas and said they would report back with more details at a future meeting.

No formal board action was taken on staffing during the meeting; staff said operations were being maintained while recruitment continues.