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Walnut Creek reports 10.7% vacancy rate, outlines recruitment and retention steps
Summary
Human Resources Director Trish Raber told the council the city’s overall vacancy rate is 10.7% (about 41.25 FTE of 386) and described recruitment workflows, targeted screening for police dispatchers and recent retention measures including 5% salary adjustments for seven bargaining units effective July 1.
Human Resources Director Trish Raber presented the city’s annual public hearing on job vacancies, recruitment and retention for fiscal year 2026, required by Government Code Section 3502.3. Raber said the city’s overall vacancy rate is 10.7 percent, equivalent to 41.25 full‑time equivalents out of 386 authorized positions, and that no bargaining unit exceeded the 20 percent threshold that would trigger additional policy review.
Raber described the standard recruitment workflow — a 3–5 month process from vacancy identification through conditional offer — and said the city screened 3,939 applications associated with 24 job postings in calendar year 2025. She highlighted targeted process improvements for police dispatcher recruitment, including pre‑screening testing and realistic job previews to ensure candidates understand job demands.
On retention, staff noted recent labor agreements and an upcoming 5% salary adjustment for seven bargaining units effective July 1 to remain competitive. Raber said voluntary exit interviews are being used to inform future improvements.
Council made a motion to receive and file the presentation; the motion passed on roll call. Councilmembers thanked HR staff for streamlining the hiring process and for the clearer, shorter presentation this year.
What’s next: The city will continue implementing the recruitment workflow, monitor vacancy rates across bargaining units, and report back as required by statute.
