Clarion County is looking at innovative ways to attract new employees.
Amanda Carbaugh, the county’s human resources director, said at Tuesday’s county commissioners meeting the county has 21 vacancies, which is about 10 percent of the entire county workforce.
“We are always looking for corrections officers, CYS caseworkers, five people to work in the park this summer and others,” Carbaugh said. “Like everyone else we are having trouble attracting people to work for the county. This problem isn’t just with Clarion County…it is everywhere.”
“I don’t think it is all about money,” Carbaugh said. “I have been talking with the commissioners and we have been bouncing ideas back and forth. We are trying to get creative.”
She said that could include working four 10-hour days.
“That would give people more time at home with their families,” said Carbaugh.
Clarion County increased wages for non-union county employees last year. Union employees had an increase of about three percent last year.
Carbaugh said the county was discussing day care services at an outside facility.
“That is a big concern for our employees,” she said. “The cost of child care can be very expensive to the point where it is more practical for one parent to stay home.”
“We could partner with the YMCA or United Way,” said Tharan. It was suggested the Clarion County Sorce building is large enough to accommodate a day care center.
“There are all kinds of options we need to look at and employ,” said Tharan.
The county is also seeking volunteers for the county Planning Commission.
Kristi Amato, director of the department of planning and development, said members are needed from all walks of life, construction, planning or teaching.
“We also try to have a broad geographic mix,” said Amato.
Planning commission meetings are held at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the county administrative building.
Amato addressed the Community Development Block Grant program, noting that improvements to the Rimersburg community building should be finished this year.
The commissioners approved two resolutions for funding from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RCAP) for the Fort Knox and Greystar Real Estate Partners.
A $3.3 million grant will be used for equipment acquisition and the improvement and expansion of the facilities in Knox.
The second $850,000 grant will be used for the Carrier Shed renovation project.
The grants had been announced in November.