Nebraska Game and Parks adjusts operations amid staffing shortage

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – As Memorial Day kicks off the summer season season for state parks, Nebraska Sport and Parks expects this season to look somewhat totally different will decrease than common staffing numbers.

Nebraska Sport and Parks stated that is the second season the place operations have needed to be altered on account of lack of staffing. Sport and Parks stated they often attempt to rent round 900 staff for the summer season. This yr, they’re a pair hundred brief with solely 700 workers.

Jeff Fields, the parks division administrator for Nebraska Sport and Parks stated like many workplaces, their company is affected by low unemployment statewide, and industries competing for staff.

“Particularly on the east finish across the Lincoln, Omaha space, Mahoney, Platte River State Parks are the 2 which can be most likely most importantly impacted,” Fields stated. “Different components of the state we’re doing, fingers crossed, we’re in fairly fine condition.”

Fields stated the positions that Sport and Parks are working to fill embody lifeguards, capturing vary workers, housekeepers and concession staff.

He stated to draw extra candidates, beginning pay for seasonal workers has been elevated by greater than 30%. Beginning wages now vary from $12 to $16 an hour, relying on the job and duties.

“That has labored fairly effectively,” Fields stated. “As a result of low unemployment charges we’ve proper now and a few of the competitors we’ve with a few of our city areas, I feel that’s affected us somewhat bit.”

Sport and Parks stated pool, capturing vary and different amenity hours are lowered on account of the employee scarcity. Fields stated they nonetheless plan to supply most actions folks stay up for at Nebraska parks.

“It’s only a small proportion of issues we’re going to should tweak,” Fields stated. “We’re doing plenty of nice issues.”

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