In 2017 Pierce County’s Human Resources Department was struggling with outdated and inefficient hiring practices. To add pressure, the COVID-19 pandemic produced high turnover and depleted applicant pools. This candidate crunch particularly affected positions in wastewater positions as well as civil engineers, medical examiners, and corrections officers. By breaking out of old mindsets and innovating its hiring practices, Pierce County has been able to reshape its culture and vastly improve its hiring rate.

• Publication date: October 2023