Get with the jobs program, Linn County

For those readers who have applied for a county job in Linn County and did not get an interview, you are not alone. While hiring and choosing candidates is not easy, I believe Linn County is doing a poor job in how they handle the hiring process.

Let me give an example. Linn County recently had three openings for social workers who would work with individuals with mental health problems and/or developmental disabilities. The requirements were one year experience working with this population and a degree in human services or social work.

The problem with this is you could have a degree in education and

10 years experience working with this population in a behavioral-disorder setting and you would not even be considered. Another example is you could have a doctoral degree in sociology and 15 years experience working with this population in a shelter or other residential treatment facility and again you would not even be looked at. This makes no sense and is taking many qualified people for these positions out of the game. Unfortunately, it is clients who suffer.

When some of these degrees are so similar, who would not want the person with more experience? Keep this in mind when it is time to vote for candidates for the Linn County Board of Supervisors.

Dean Franck

Marion