Commissioners Approve a Salary Survey Committee

DAYTON—Columbia County is having a hard time attracting and retaining workers and one of the factors might be inadequate compensation for work performed.

County Commissioner Norm Passmore has asked that a committee be formed to perform a regional and county-wide salary survey across the state. Salaries more in line with salaries in other jurisdictions will make working for Columbia County more attractive and enhance the county’s ability to hire, train, and retain staff, he said.

Public Works Director Andrew Woods said his department has problems with hiring engineering technicians and engineers.

Salaries in his department are the same, or more, than other counties in the region, Woods said.

“We have tried twice to fill our assistant county engineer position in the last year and a half. We have done a nationwide job search and offered relocation assistance, but have not received a single application,” said Woods, who is getting ready to advertise the position a third time.

Factors other than pay might be in play, Woods admitted.

“Since we are not getting any applicants, I don’t know where we are deficient,” he said.

Public Health Director Martha Lanman said she has been trying to hire a Registered Nurse since August of 2017 and a Licensed Practical Nurse since November.

“Some of it is salary,” she said.

But Lanman said there is a shortage of public health nurses throughout the state.

Lanman said she is hopeful that her department’s staffing woes will end with population growth due to the Lyons Ferry Straw Pulp Mil, and spin off from that.

“The Salary Committee is a great step forward, across the county, to see where we are going,” Lanman said.

Emergency Management Services Director Lisa Caldwell said that for dispatchers Columbia County is the lowest paying county in Washington State.

Indeed, a 911 Salary Survey done in 2016, places Columbia County in the top spot for lowest salary with an entry level amount of $30,347.

The beginning salary for dispatchers in the community of Wahkiakum, which serves a similar population of about 4,000 people, is $33,925.00.

Other irregularities occur, as well, Caldwell said.

Currently, a dispatcher with all the necessary technical skills and training is placed on the same pay step as a less qualified employee, Caldwell said.

The commissioners have indicated they will be looking into hiring a Human Resources Director for the county later in the year. In the meantime they are taking a hard look at salary and benefits for county employees.

Caldwell is serving on the Salary Survey Committee, along with Sheriff Rocky Miller, and they are inviting volunteers from the community to serve with them.

For more information about volunteering on the committee, contact Lisa Caldwell at: Lisa_caldwell@co.columbia.wa.us or Sheriff Rocky Miller at: Rocky_miller@co.columbia.wa.us