Fullerton reports vacancies improving to about 10%, HR director says applicant volume up 40%

Human Resources Director Laura Ganetti Mercer briefed the City Council on the city27s annual vacancies and recruitment report, saying vacancies have declined from a 2021 peak and application numbers have increased.

Ganetti Mercer reported 65 vacancies as of April 1, representing roughly a 10.3% vacancy rate versus a high of 25.5% in 2021. She said resignations have fallen (57 in the prior year versus 44 year-to-date) and that application intake for advertised recruitments has risen: examples cited included 458 applications for administrative analyst, 514 for a librarian posting and 876 for a library clerical assistant.

The presentation noted continuing challenges for certain classifications, particularly water-related positions that require specialized certifications, and identified the executive bargaining group as carrying a higher vacancy percentage because of a few vacant director-level positions. The report highlighted that some roles are being underfilled by acting or interim staff and that the city is onboarding new hires that will reduce vacancy counts in the short term.

Council members and public commenters asked about which specific positions are counted as vacant versus temporarily underfilled, and whether a practice of holding vacancies as a budgeting measure should continue. The city manager said maintaining vacancies as a budget strategy is imperfect; some departments have used vacancy holds to achieve savings but the approach can create hidden staffing shortfalls.

No formal action was required; the item was received and filed per staff recommendation.