By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s city government is seeking to recruit a more diverse pool of candidates for city jobs that mirrors the community’s overall workforce.
The city’s human resources department and the Bloomington-Normal branch of the NAACP are establishing a Diversity Enhancement Group to encourage minorities to apply for city jobs, including the police and fire departments.
Michael Hurt, the city’s talent acquisition and development manager, says the group will connect with organizations representing various minorities, who can get the word out when city jobs become available.
“We know that some of these groups hold monthly meetings. We’re going to call around and see if we can get five minutes on their monthly meetings just to let them know what we have here at the city in terms of open positions,” said Hurt.
“This is an initiative that we’re taking on our own free will. It is our affirmative effort..and please don’t use affirmative action. Affirmative simply means we’re going out and we’re doing something other than just posting a job and getting whoever comes in for the interviews,” Hurt also said.
In a statement, local NAACP President Quincy Cummings said people of color are reluctant to apply for city jobs. He said the initiative will help increase opportunities for women and people of color, and send a message that diversity and inclusion is valued at city hall.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
