Department of Human Services frontline employees salaries will be raised to match their peers’ salaries in other state agencies, and it is being done with no extra tax dollars involved.
Governor Kevin Stitt joined DHS Director Justin Brown, House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Kevin Wallace and Oklahoma Public Employees Association Executive Director Sterling Zearley to make the announcement those employees would be getting a 13 percent pay increase. More than 3,700 employees will benefit from the move.
The pay increase is being funded by consolidating 850 vacant and fully-funded positions. DHS leadership determined that 400 vacant jobs will be eliminated in total which frees up $10.8 million. The savings will be used to pay the frontline employees more money without asking for additional funding from the Legislature.
Brown also believes the pay increase will help recruitment efforts to fill open positions that remain after the consolidation.
“The Department of Human Services is comprised of exceptional Oklahomans who work tirelessly to support the mission of serving abused and neglected children and seniors, single parents, those with developmental disabilities, and those struggling with homelessness and addiction,” said Brown. “DHS is able to give frontline employees a 13% pay increase because of the Legislature’s investment in this critical agency over the past two years and the thought-leadership of my executive team and the governor’s office on how to best structure 6,500 employees to deliver the best outcomes for our customers. This is about taking care of frontline employees, paying them equal to their peers in other state agencies, and bolstering recruitment efforts to fill 450 vacant positions critical for meeting the agency’s mission.”
DHS was able to find it was able to consolidate and remove empty jobs through a year long study.
The move has Governor Stitt’s respect.
“I applaud Justin Brown and the leadership of DHS for digging into the details of their budget and assessing the needs of their agency to deliver customer-centered solutions. DHS has identified a sound path to live within their budget while also giving frontline employees an earned pay raise equal to that of their peers in other state agencies. As DHS continues to cast a bold path forward in delivering critical services, I encourage Oklahomans to consider applying to join this mission-focused team as they work to provide Top Ten services our most vulnerable populations,” said Stitt.
