Council works to widen its recruitment net

Like other businesses, Kiama Council is finding it hard to get staff and CEO Jane Stroud is thinking laterally about ways of broadening its appeal.

“Industry wide, local government is experiencing an acute crisis of workers,” she says, while also acknowledging the additional impact of Council operating under Performance Improvement Orders from the Office of Local Government.

“Recently Linda Scott, the Australian Local Government President, had a round table with the Federal Government and spoke directly to them around skill shortages in local government and the real time impact that that’s having on delivery of services. I think we’re the perfect example of that.”

She cites only just recruiting an economic development coordinator, after the position was advertised three times before being successfully filled.

There are currently 19 vacancies on Council’s website, some seasonal swimming positions, and Ms Stroud says in some instances that means the job just isn’t being done until it is filled.

Key shortages are in the areas of planning, compliance and finance, with an ongoing hunt for Blue Haven care staff and nurses.

Interviewing is underway for a new Chief Financial Officer (vacant as the previous appointee was offered the same job closer to home, not long after he started), and