Board OKs emergency and retrospective contracts with former state employees amid hiring delays

CARSON CITY — The State of Nevada Board of Examiners on Nov. 12 approved emergency and retrospective contracting requests that will allow agencies to hire former state employees for short-term or specialized work while the state implements hiring process improvements.

The Department of Human Services requested an emergency contract under NRS 333.705 subsection 4 to engage former employee Leah Lewis to assist with Deanne Townsend Hospital licensure, Joint Commission accreditation, CMS certification and staff training in Southern Nevada. The board approved the request by voice vote.

Separately, the Department of Transportation sought authority to contract with former employees Joel Reed (project construction administration), Michael Primo (structural assessments and bridge/tunnel inspections) and Sean Howerton (engineering design preparation). The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy requested to contract with former employee Ryan Miller to transfer investigative knowledge and coordinate a training manual with Marathon Staffing Group.

Tiffany, speaking for the record, explained hiring constraints: "When a former employee retires from the state or leaves state service, it's, supposed to be a 90 day cooling off period." She said agencies can seek emergency exceptions and that the NeoGov applicant portal is expected to streamline hiring and reduce reliance on reengaging former staff.

The board approved the bundled contracting requests by voice vote. The approvals allow agencies to proceed under the stated emergency or contracting authorities while hiring processes are expedited.