Wanted: City looks to fill jobs after receiving COVID-19 relief funds

More than 100 city jobs are being restored following the windfall of federal COVID-19 relief dollars, the Peduto administration announced Thursday.

The city is now looking for recreation leaders, city planners, crossing guards, code and construction inspectors, as well as a host of Department of Public Works positions, including bricklayers, electricians and laborers.

The positions are returning after the city instituted a hiring freeze in May 2020 “in order to save money to avoid staff layoffs” during the pandemic, according to Mayor Bill Peduto’s office.

The city is anticipated to receive $335 million under the American Rescue Plan; it already has half of that money in hand and expects the rest in May 2022.

In a multiyear spending plan put forth by the Peduto administration — and approved by City Council in July — roughly $25 million was allocated to shore up city jobs beginning in 2021.

“Thanks to the [American Rescue Plan Act] funding, we are able to restore over 100 jobs for Pittsburghers,” Mr. Peduto said in a news release. “All services that city government provides are essential for the safety and wellbeing of the people of Pittsburgh and throughout the pandemic, our staff have been doing more work with less people.”

Congress passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill in March, allocating $350 billion for state and local governments.

Several of the open positions are being advertised on the city’s employment website at www.governmentjobs. com/ careers/pittsburgh.