Staff turnover is so high at Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division, the head of the agency says it’s almost an existential challenge.
High turnover rates are a problem at many state agencies. The governor is proposing raises throughout the board. At Thursday’s hearing, Richard Dunn, EPD Director, stated that although these raises will make a significant impact, there is still much work to be done to retain and attract staff.
It’s not uncommon for folks to leave employment with EPD and receive at a minimum a 20% raise, but often double their salary, Dunn said.
The Environmental Protection Division regulates industries to protect Georgia’s air, water and land. Some of the big issues it’s handling now include a proposal for a mine near the Okefenokee Swamp and how to deal with coal ash, a toxic byproduct from coal-fired power plants.
Dunn stated that a large portion of the staff are trained in engineering or science. Low pay makes retaining people difficult and it is difficult to replace those who leave for positions at private companies or with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (which has its Southeast regional office located in Atlanta).
He said that our biggest problem is currently agency staffing and turnover. A turnover rate of 15, 20 percent means that every five to six years, the entire agency is replaced. We find it almost impossible to maintain a high turnover rate.
He explained that technical work can be challenged in courts and it is important to maintain consistency and have institutional knowledge.
Dunn told state lawmakers the agency’s expenditures have been essentially flat for 20 years, as the states population and GDP have climbed.
