State officials announced on Thursday roughly 3,700 employees at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services are getting 13% raises.
The increase will make their salaries comparable to colleagues in other state agencies. Most of the employees getting raises are in the agency's 92 field offices across the state.
DHS will consolidate 850 positions to pay for the raises, which will run $10.8 million a year. The agency will eliminate 400 vacant but fully funded positions.
"We’re going to be able to get DHS employees, the front line that services our constituents daily, just peer-to-peer, agency-to-agency pay equal. It’s a great day — without having to add to the budget next year — and I’m very impressed with it," said House Appropriations and Budget Chair Kevin Wallace.
DHS Director Justin Brown wants to hire 450 more "front line" jobs, like child welfare specialists.
"We are excited to build this workforce, to serve our state," Brown said.
