In the nineties there was a hit when the US singer Paula Cole asked herself: “Where have all the cowboys gone?” Where have all the cowboys gone? No less dramatic murmurs are currently being heard through the town halls of the Ebersberg district: Where have all the engineers gone? Among other things, this profession is currently being desperately sought after in the public sector. Some positions have been vacant for several months, applications: zero.
In Zornedinger town hall, the lack of staff is a big issue, especially in the building authority. Two positions have been vacant for about six months; an administrative office in building planning law and one for a technician or engineer, both in the higher civil service. “Construction technicians and engineers simply get much higher wages in the private sector,” says Daniel Komnick, manager at City Hall, “and at the same time a completely different work-life balance.” While in some companies it is often possible to work from home four days out of five, there is a certain obligation to be present when working in the town hall.
The Zorneding town hall relies on external service providers and career changers
What happens if the position cannot be filled? “Other colleagues then have to take over the tasks,” says Komnick. The involvement of external service providers is also an option that is used again and again. However, these would have to be incorporated and maintained again and again. We have also had good experiences with lateral entrants. Problem here: You can only be promoted to a higher salary group if you qualify. This is offered and funded by the Zorneding town hall – but it takes time.
The shortage of staff at town halls also has consequences for the citizen. According to Komnick, some projects are being delayed, such as the current preparation of a land use plan. Actually, that is the main task of a clerk for a year or longer. As long as no one can take over, the motto is: wait. “Sowas then,” says the manager.
Working in the town hall definitely has its good sides, Komnick lists: the close cooperation with citizens and politicians, a wide range of personal training opportunities, the possibility of being able to organize your working hours relatively freely. “You’re well integrated into the place and there’s a very personal atmosphere,” he says. But the first lure remains the fee, which the town hall can do little to screw on. Anyone who works in the public sector earns just as much in the much cheaper living environment of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as in high-priced Bavaria. Only the so-called conurbation allowance can be paid in Ebersberg in addition to the national tariff. “And unfortunately that’s just a drop in the ocean,” says Komnick.
“We’ve received significantly fewer applications for this over the past year or two,” says Kirchseeon’s Mayor Jan Paeplow.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Jan Paeplow (CSU), Mayor of the Kirchseeon market, reports similar experiences. Not only is it always difficult for the building authority to find qualified personnel, there is also a long search for trainees at the moment. Every year, one trainee is hired in the town hall, who is first trained as an administrative clerk and then specializes, for example for the social welfare office, the citizens’ office or the cash register. “For the past year or two, we’ve received significantly fewer applications,” says Paeplow. But he doesn’t just see finding good employees as a task – but also keeping them. Again and again, city hall employees would report calls in which other municipalities try to poach them – even across districts. “But I think we’re well positioned in Kirchseeon,” says Paeplow. “We have a healthy working atmosphere and I hope it stays that way.”
In Vaterstetten, construction advice can only be offered to a limited extent
The people in Vaterstetten are also feeling the consequences of the shortage of skilled workers in the town hall. The building authority lacks qualified staff, so that building advice can only be offered to a limited extent from October 10th to 21st. As stated in a press release, party traffic will not take place during this period.
Poing town hall currently has ten vacancies. Some have even been advertised several times, such as the position of climate and environmental protection officer or digital officer. “These are very important positions that we would like to fill,” emphasizes Muriel Brodbeck, manager in the municipality of Poing. “But the applicant market has been swept clean.” When someone reports, they are usually unfamiliar with the subject or have other qualifications.
However, because the topics of climate protection and digitization are important, they are still being pushed. This means more work, especially for the employees in the town hall. “We are driving digitization forward even without special employees,” reports Brodbreck. “It just goes slower.” According to the managing director, these additional tasks take a lot of time from the individual employee. Nevertheless, Poing recently managed to be the first municipality in the district to receive the “Digital Office” award.