San Francisco County officials reported a significant drop in citywide vacancy rates during a recent government meeting, highlighting a recovery from pandemic-era staffing challenges. As of June 3, the overall vacancy rate stands at 6.6%, a marked improvement from a peak of over 14% during COVID-19.

The meeting focused on the city’s hiring progress and the methodology used to calculate vacancies. Officials explained that the current figures reflect a total of 39,664 full-time equivalent positions, with 3,285 filled roles after accounting for budgeted attrition. Notably, the vacancy rate for core operating positions—referred to as "on budget" positions—has decreased to an impressive 4.3%.

The report also detailed disparities among various bargaining units, with the police department facing a concerning vacancy rate of 19.6%. This figure underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels within critical public safety roles. Officials emphasized their commitment to addressing these vacancies in collaboration with the mayor's office and the police department.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city’s efforts to stabilize its workforce and improve service delivery, marking a positive trend as San Francisco continues to rebound from the impacts of the pandemic.