Local governments are hiring again.
Significant increases in job postings and executive searches have been on the rise in recent months and the competition for talented government employees is increasing. June and July signal the end and beginning of the fiscal year and are a good barometer of employment opportunities in local government. City budgets are passed with the idea of planning for both medium and long term growth and new job opportunities are one indicator of the financial health of cities.
"We've seen a marked increase in job and career related postings and website traffic," said Mike Madrid, publisher of California City News. "It's been remarkable actually. We're witnessing very strong numbers in the number of cities filling positions, executive search firms looking for top tier candidates and even the entrance of newer firms looking to fill temporary positions in city government. This is the sign of very healthy employment growth in the public sector."
With post recession employment opportunities rebounding, both employers and employees will have to change their strategies. A tighter job market for skilled and experienced city employees means the focus has changed from job security and avoiding furloughs or job losses to considering a move to further ones career - or at a minimum considering asking the boss for better pay.
"The severity and length of the recession changed the traditional career paths of most people employed in the public sector," said Madrid. "Now appears to be the right time to update that resume and look for opportunities. It's been a very long time since that was on the minds of city staff."
That's not to say things have gone back to their old ways. City managers and city councils are wary to take on new long term obligations and hiring for permanent positions. The fact that so many cities are actively looking for workers and posting for jobs is an important sign that the job market has stabilized and is likely to improve.
Curiously, most employment opportunities seem to be within city hall at the same time private sector local public affairs firms are pulling back and limiting employment opportunities. Growth, for the moment at least, is in the public - not private - sector.
"Cities are hiring, there's no question. You'd be making a big mistake not to keep your eyes open and see what opportunities are out there at this time", said Madrid.