28 2022 Annual Report
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Recreation
S t a f f i n g s h o r t a g e s a f f e c t h o u r s o f o p e r a t i o n
Nebraska Game and Parks annually hires nearly 900 workers across the state to assist with state park
operations during the summer. In 2022, at some larger state park areas, there only were about half
the needed staff to operate some activities. The result: Some parks were forced to adjust their activity
hours heading into the summer because of a limited workforce.
Positions that were most in need included lifeguards, shooting range staff, housekeepers and
concession workers. This shortage occurred even though Game and Parks had raised the pay rates
for seasonal staff by more than 33% and offered training and certification for new employees. We
proactively sought candidates to fill open positions recruiting a number of places, including job fairs
and through colleges, and marketing online with a "If you are happiest outdoors … work where you
play" message.
