Pandemic staffing shortage has Costa Mesa parks department pounding pavement for new hires

During a typical summer, the city of Costa Mesa’s mobile recreation van would be gassed up and ready to go.

A veritable playground on wheels, the vehicle was designed to dole out books, games and sports equipment in neighborhoods where children might otherwise lack access to recreational activities outside the school day.

Instead, the van and the program have been temporarily grounded because the city cannot find enough part-time employees to staff programs run through the Parks and Community Services Department.

A three-day recruitment event, taking place through Thursday, is one attempt to help fill vacancies. Held at Baleric Community Center Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m., the event allows candidates with resumes to drop in and talk directly to recruiters. Masks are required.

Recreation Manager Monique Villasenor said Monday the department has been experiencing a staffing shortage since programs reopened earlier this year. Currently, about 80 part-time employees are working as lifeguards, camp leaders and community service leaders, when about 150 are needed.

“We’re looking for community service leaders — those are the people and staff who work hands on with the programs, afterschool programs, camps, checking on fields,” she said. “We need senior leaders, people in charge of complete programs, like Happy Feet (Running Club) or the teen centers. We also have a need for lifeguards.”

Without staff members to operate them, offerings like the mobile recreation program may have to be pared down, postponed or canceled altogether. Villasenor said the city has had to reduce some afterschool programs and currently maintains a waiting list of students wanting to attend.

Charlene Ashendorf, who chairs the Parks, Arts and Community Services Commission, said working a part-time community job with youth and senior programming is typically a sought-after experience for teens. But, as with most things, the pandemic interfered.

“The reality that we’ve faced since the pandemic has really thrown everything off kilter,” Ashendorf said Tuesday. “(Still), these jobs are really the training group for so many young people for future jobs — it’s a great way to get in the door and determine a career path, whether it’s parks and rec or city government.”

A mobile recreation program run by Costa Mesa’s Parks and Community Services department has been grounded, due to a department-wide staffing shortage, but staff are hopeful it may return by winter.

(Courtesy of the city of Costa Mesa)

An unprecedented staffing shortage isn’t unique to Costa Mesa. Employers across the nation are struggling to hire and retain staff as California continues to recover from a pandemic that caused the loss of nearly 2.7 million jobs statewide.

To help combat the trend, the Parks and Community Services Department has doubled down on its recruitment efforts, posting regular updates on openings throughout social media and going directly to high school and college campuses to find potential applicants.

Villasenor said this week’s recruitment event at the Baleric Community Center offers those looking for work on-the-spot interviews that could lead to employment. Ashendorf encouraged young people to apply.

“What could be better than working outdoors and serving as an ambassador?” she posed. “Youth sports, arts, campus, after-school programs — it’s not just sitting in an office, hiding behind a computer. It really is the lifeline of our city.”

As for the mobile recreation van, Villasenor expressed optimism it might one day ride again.

“I’m hoping we get enough staff to get it back in the winter season at a few parks,” she said.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.