Allentown was selected by a national nonprofit initiative to improve hiring and address public sector staffing shortages.
Allentown is the second, after Kansas City, selected for the “Spotlight City” initiative run by the nonprofit Work for America. The partnership will host a workshop with city employees on recruitment efforts and help implement “innovative” and sustainable” recruitment strategies. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk also will join Work for America’s national advisory board.
The city has 39 vacancies across all departments, according to its most recent monthly budget and finance report.
“When I took office, one of our biggest challenges was building capacity in city government,” Tuerk said in a written statement. “I saw firsthand how much it matters to have strong teams in place — because that’s what allows us to deliver for our residents. That’s why I’m proud for Allentown to be a Spotlight City, and grateful to partner with Work for America to keep building the workforce our community deserves.”
“Allentown’s public servants don’t just do their jobs — they show up for their community with heart,” Caitlin Lewis, executive director of Work for America, said in a statement. “Mayor Tuerk embodies that same commitment, and we’re excited to spotlight the incredible people who make the city work.”
Allentown has already joined Work for America’s “Civic Match” program which aims to partner laid-off federal employees with local public sector jobs.
The announcement comes around three weeks after an outside investigation led by law firm Duane Morris found that the city’s human resources department is “severely dysfunctional.” Tuerk has said human resources director Martin Velazquez, who was appointed in February, is working to reform the department and improve the city workforce culture.
Reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at Liweber@mcall.com.
