Public sector skilled workers are vital, "unsung heroes"

ALBANY (WRGB) Albany Department of General Services Deputy Commisioner Frank Zeoli says their work isn’t just taxpayer funded, it’s vital.

“Men and women here at DGS are the unsung heroes. They were here the entire COVID working.”

And this public work requires people to get it done. He says even some staffing shortages can affect an entire day of work, even something as coordinated as trash collection.

“We either have the crew we’ve got and it takes that much longer to get us through the day. So we’re not picking up until 8-9 that night or we are taking from other crews from 7-3 to back fill."

And that can affect other services.

“Now your street sweeping isn’t getting done. Your potholes aren’t getting filled. Your parks aren’t getting cleaned.”

Which is why the agency has 37 full time year round Positions and 20 seasonal positions. He says that provides flexibility. But they don’t budge on the requirement that an employee must live in Albany to work here.

MORE: The public sector has skilled trade openings, too

JOIN THE CONVERSATION (

0

)

This way they can live in the same city they serve.