The city of Evanston is grappling with a significant shortage of engineering personnel, particularly within its transportation design group. During a recent government meeting, officials revealed that three out of four civil engineering positions dedicated to creating contract documents for street resurfacing, sidewalks, and alleys remain unfilled. This staffing gap has been exacerbated by a recent retirement, leaving the department only partially staffed and hindering its ability to plan for upcoming infrastructure projects.

The vacant positions include two civil engineer two roles, which typically require three to five years of experience, and one civil engineer three position, necessitating five to ten years of experience. These roles have been posted for several months, with the civil engineer three position open for a couple of months longer than the civil engineer two roles. The ongoing struggle to fill these positions has persisted since the onset of the pandemic, reflecting a broader nationwide shortage of engineers.

In response to this challenge, city officials are exploring options to adjust the pay scale for these engineering roles. Edgar Kano, the Public Works Agency director, indicated that discussions are underway with the city manager's office, human resources, and the union to determine potential salary increases or reclassifications aimed at attracting qualified candidates. The city acknowledges that it is not alone in this hiring struggle, as many organizations across the country are competing for a limited pool of engineering talent.