Public Works Faces 471 Vacancies as Commissioners Brace for Budget Fight

Public Works Commission • San FranciscoOctober 22, 2026

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San Francisco Public Works is trying to make 80 more hires by Dec. 31 while working under a hiring freeze in place since January 2025, with 218 approved positions pulled back earlier this year. At the Oct. 22, 2026, Public Works Commission meeting, commissioners heard the department's human resources update and signaled they will defend its staffing needs in the next budget cycle. The Director's Report also previewed storm preparations for a forecast "very strong" El Niño.

471 vacancies, 80 hires to go: Public Works is pushing toward a 199-hire goal by Dec. 31.
Budget fight looms: Commissioners question which jobs are essential after 218 positions reverted in March.
20,000-plus sandbags on hand: Sandbag Saturday pop-ups return in November for the first time since 2015.

Public Works Races a Hiring Freeze to Fill Jobs

The basics: Human Resources Director Karen Hill reported 1,425 filled positions as of June 30 and 471 vacancies as of July 1, 2026. Of those vacancies, 232 are approved for hiring. The department's goal is to fill 199 of them by Dec. 31.

Why it matters: Unfilled jobs are being covered through overtime and acting assignments. Commissioners are bracing for another difficult budget cycle after last year's freeze and layoff threats.

Where things stand: Public Works filled 283 positions in calendar 2025 and 151 more through June 30, 2026. Hill listed several recruitment tools:

70 operations workers converted to permanent civil service
Seven exams
New plumber apprenticeship and pre-apprentice gardener programs
Hiring of laborers, supervisors and gardeners

The headwinds are significant. On top of the freeze, "218 of our approved positions were reverted back to proposed" in March 2026, Hill said. The department also lost 15 positions. "9 of those positions were restored, all in the materials testing lab, preventing layoffs," said Hill.

The budget question: Commissioner Gerald Turner looked ahead to the next spending cycle. "I'm concerned about next year's fight," said Turner. He asked whether the roughly 200 positions are truly essential. "As we get ready for budget season, we should know how we're going to fight," he said.

Hill said the hiring targets reflect real demand. "The 232 positions that we put on were based on operational need," said Hill.

Public Works Director Carla Short described what the vacancies are doing to the workforce, pointing to the toll of overtime. "We also have a worryingly high number of people who are in acting positions," said Short.

Commission Chair Fady Zoubi pressed Hill on the 218 figure and on the timeline. "And we have like 2 more months for the goal of 199. How confident are you?" asked Zoubi. With 80 hires remaining, Hill answered: "Well, we're at 80. So I'm confident."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The item was informational, and no vote was taken. The commission's support was unanimous in tone. "We absolutely support whatever we can do to try to move forward," said Commissioner Anthony Rivera, who was attending his first meeting.

The people most affected are:

Employees absorbing overtime and acting assignments
Materials testing lab staff, who avoided layoffs
Job seekers entering new apprenticeship pipelines

The open question is whether the 218 reverted positions can be recovered in the next budget.

What's next: The department will keep hiring toward its Dec. 31 goal. Commissioners framed this update as preparation for the coming budget season, though no dates were set.

Sandbags Stockpiled as Strong El Niño Looms

Why it matters: Forecasters are warning of a very strong El Niño. Free sandbags and pop-up distribution events give residents and businesses in flood-prone neighborhoods a head start before storms and possible coastal flooding.

Where things stand: "Today we have more than 20,000 sandbags on hand with plans in place to order tens of thousands more," said Short.

Sandbags are available year-round, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Bayview operations yard. The limit is 10 per person.

Sandbag Saturday pop-ups will run the first three Saturdays in November. Locations include the Marina, Lakeshore, Mission and other neighborhoods. It is the first time the department has held the events since 2015.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Short said staffing plans, equipment staging and interagency coordination are underway. She credited Nick Holsapple's emergency management work. That storm staffing will come from the same workforce stretched by the vacancies described above.

What's next: Watch for Sandbag Saturday locations in early November. The Bayview yard remains open for pickup in the meantime.

Minor Items

Consent calendar approved: The Oct. 8 minutes and a contract award for ADA barrier removal at SOMArts Cultural Center passed by voice vote on a motion by Turner. Three members were present (Absent: Vice Chair Eleanor Blume, Commissioner Paul Woolford), and individual votes were not recorded. Contract terms and amount were not discussed.
Cesar Chavez Street rename review: The Board of Supervisors and Mayor Lurie propose renaming the street "La Campesinas." The proposal follows a New York Times investigation alleging Chavez groomed and abused underage girls and women. Public Works will survey property owners, seek agency comments and verify the name before any resolution goes to the Board. If approved, "both the old name and the new name will remain on street signs for 5 years," Short said.
Mission Branch Library: "The 110-year-old Branch Library has been closed since 2020 for extensive renovations," said Short. Upgrades include seismic and energy improvements and a new children's room. A ribbon-cutting is set for Nov. 14.
New commissioner: Zoubi welcomed retired firefighter Anthony Rivera to the commission.
Employee recognition idea: Zoubi proposed honoring department-nominated employees with certificates before year-end. Turner and Rivera backed the idea, but no motion was made.

Looking Ahead

November: Sandbag Saturday pop-ups run the first three Saturdays of the month.
Nov. 14: Mission Branch Library ribbon-cutting.
Dec. 31: Deadline for the department's 199-hire goal.
Budget season: The fight over the 218 reverted positions is expected to land here.

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