Staffing challenges in local government are nothing new—but today’s environment of retirements, talent shortages, and evolving service demands is raising the stakes. In fact, more than half (54%) of HR professionals in state and local government expect a wave of retirements within the next few years, according to the 2023 MissionSquare Research Institute workforce survey. As municipalities face greater pressure to do more with fewer resources, interim staffing has emerged as a powerful tool for maintaining stability and keeping operations moving.
How Can Interim Staffing Benefit My Organization? Interim staffing ensures continuity during periods of transition—whether due to retirements, resignations, extended leaves, or long recruitment cycles. It provides a fast, cost-effective way to secure experienced professionals who can step in with minimal ramp-up. Beyond just filling a gap, temporary staff help maintain service delivery, provide specialized expertise, and even reduce pressure on internal teams during high-demand periods.
What Kinds of Positions Are Typically Filled? Interim staffing solutions are used across a wide range of functions, including executive leadership, department heads, and key technical roles. Common placements include city and county managers, finance directors, public works and utility leaders, HR professionals, IT specialists, planners, and public safety officials. Temporary placements can also support frontline or administrative roles such as permit technicians and analysts—depending on the agency’s needs.
When Should a Local Government Consider Interim Staffing? Agencies typically seek interim staffing support when there’s a vacancy in a critical role but hiring a permanent replacement will take time. It’s also used when onboarding a new department head who may benefit from mentorship or operational support, during extended leave coverage (e.g., FMLA), or for project-based needs such as audit preparation, system upgrades, or departmental restructuring. Flexible arrangements like part-time staffing or job-sharing are increasingly common—especially in smaller or rural jurisdictions.
Which Departments Face the Most Pressure? Departments with highly specialized or hard-to-fill roles tend to feel staffing strain more acutely. Finance, community development, IT, human resources, and public works are among the most impacted. Many of these departments face competitive pressures from the private sector and struggle with limited applicant pools, high turnover, or growing service demands. Temporary professionals help fill these roles while permanent staffing solutions are explored.
What Does the Placement Process Look Like? Effective temporary staffing starts with understanding the agency’s specific needs—including job responsibilities, skill requirements, and desired experience levels. From there, a staffing provider will match those needs with qualified candidates from a vetted talent pool. Agencies can interview candidates and select the right fit. Terms vary by engagement—ranging from full-time coverage for several months to part-time retainers for ongoing support.
What Kind of Professionals Serve in Interim Roles? Interim professionals are typically highly experienced leaders or specialists with deep subject matter expertise. Many are former public sector executives or department heads who enjoy the challenge of short-term assignments. They are known for being flexible, quick to acclimate, and able to deliver results in dynamic or uncertain environments. Strong communication, adaptability, and a focus on impact are hallmarks of successful temporary staff.
How Quickly Can Interim Support Be Deployed? In many cases, interim placements can be made within 7–10 days—sometimes even faster depending on the agency’s flexibility and the position requirements. Rural locations, hybrid or remote preferences, and part-time needs can all impact speed, but agencies that are open to alternative work arrangements often find placement happens quickly.
What Makes Interim Staffing a Strategic Investment? Beyond filling urgent gaps, interim staffing can be used creatively to pilot new roles, test department structures, or support one-time initiatives. Whether managing seasonal workload spikes, supporting election administration, or leading key projects, temporary staff offer a targeted, efficient way to meet objectives without the overhead of long-term hiring. This flexibility makes it an increasingly strategic tool for modern government.
Ready to Solve Your Staffing Challenge? MGT’s staffing services connect local governments with experienced professionals who can step in, stabilize operations, and drive progress. Whether you’re navigating leadership transitions, launching a major initiative, or simply need coverage during a leave, our tailored solutions ensure your community doesn’t miss a beat.
