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Derby City Hall
DERBY — FYI: There are only four positions open. An earlier version of this article contained inaccurate info by listing six positions.
The majority of the Derby Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen voted Sept. 1 to lift a hiring freeze that had been put into place in the weeks after the novel coronavirus was found to be circulating in Connecticut.
“Obviously we put the hiring freeze in place for COVID because nobody had a clue what was going on,” Alderman Charles Sampson said. “But, with the number of people across America that have lost their jobs, we have vacancies that have now become available and I think we would be remiss if we were not filling those and helping out those people who need jobs.”
The city’s legislative body had put the hiring freeze in place in April. The first positive tests for COVID-19 in the state were reported in March.
Alderwoman Barbara DeGennaro abstained from voting. All other members present Sept. 1 voted yes.
Upon questions posed by DeGennaro, Sampson clarified and amended the motion on the table to specify that lifting the freeze would only allow departments to fill currently vacant positions for which the city has already budgeted for.
“The intent is not to let people just go out and hire all sorts of new positions,” Sampson said.
“I’d like to add that these are positions that were already budgeted for,” Alderman Rob Hyder said. “It’s not like we’re adding new money to the budget. I agree with Mr. Sampson.”
Alderman Ron Sill said twice that any new positions would have to come to the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen for review.
Mayor Rich Dziekan, who recommended the hiring freeze be lifted, said he expects openings in the city government workforce.
“We foresee a few future openings with retirements and people leaving,” Dziekan said.
According to the official Derby website, there are three positions are open in Derby city government:
Derby Public Library, part-time custodian
Job pays $22.83 per hour, 15 hours a week, according to the job description
Town Clerk, full-time administrative/clerical clerk
Job pays $22.44 an hour, 35 hours a week
WPCA, part-time bookkeeper-clerk
Job pays $17.86 an hour, 26 hours a week
All jobs are listed as “closing” Friday, Sept. 18. Visit https://www.derbyct.gov/EmploymentOpportunities for more information and to ask questions. That link will also take you to the job description for each position.
The Derby Police Department also has an opening for a certified police officer. That position pays between $73,819.20 and $81,307.20. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31.
