The latest round of Civil Service exams did not yield any viable results or candidates for the El Dorado police and fire departments.
The El Dorado Civil Service Commission administered written exams for entry-level candidates on Monday.
The police and fire departments conducted separate physical agility tests and oral interviews for their respective candidates.
Commissioners convened Wednesday to review and certify test scores but the exams did not yield any certifiable results.
A total of two candidates -- one for each department -- completed all three phases of testing and neither candidate attained a passing score.
Over the past several years, both the police and fire departments have noted a nationwide decline in interest for public service jobs, particularly fire service and law enforcement, and both departments have worked with the ECSC to widen their talent pools.
There has been an uptick in entry-level candidates in recent testing cycles as both the police and fire departments have implemented new recruiting methods to cast a wider net for qualified candidates, including turning to social media, expanding their reach with college visits in south Arkansas and north Louisiana and using digital billboards, including the city's two digital billboards near the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium and at the El Dorado Conference Center.
In 2019, EFD received welcome news when the state of Arkansas dropped the minimum hiring age from 21 to 18 for fire departments, which, Fire Chief Chad Mosby said, has also helped with recruitment.
But this year, there was a noticeable drop in the number of candidates who signed up for entry-level exams in the spring and fall.
"I have been on the commission for several years and this is the lowest turnout we've ever had," said ECSC chairman Toddy Pitard.
EPD headquarters served as the testing site for the lone candidate who applied for the department and but the site for the EFD was moved from Central Station to the municipal auditorium, where the exams were administered in the spring as a precautionary measure for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
"We thought there would be more (candidates) but we went ahead and held it there to be safe so that we could spread out," Pitard said
Seven entry-level candidates signed up for the EPD exams last spring and five for the EFD.
Six candidates completed all phases of testing for the EPD and two passed. For the fire department, five candidates took entry-level exams, with four passing.
Civil service commissioners and the fire and police chiefs cited COVID as part of the reason for the low turnout in the spring.
Mosby and police Chief Kenny Hickman said they were able to fill openings from the candidates who were certified following the spring tests.
Candidates remain on both departments' eligibility lists for a year.
The number was even lower for candidates who took entry level exams earlier this week.
Mosby said four candidates signed up for the fall exams.
"We didn't have anyone that passed all sections of testing," he said.
"We only had four that showed up initially. A couple were weeded out throughout the process and one withdrew his name from the interview process. He was looking for a part-time job instead of a full-time job," Mosby explained, adding, "The remaining one went through all three phases (of testing) but did not pass."
He said there is one vacancy for uniformed personnel in the fire department but the lack of certifiable results on Monday does not pose an "emergency situation" for the EFD -- for now.
"But with vacation season coming up, it's something we're monitoring closely," the fire chief said.
He said the EFD will wait until the next regular testing cycle in the spring of 2022.
"If there's another test between now and the rest of the year, we'll miss a window for the (Arkansas Fire Training Academy at Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden)," said Mosby.
The EPD requested a second round of testing this year in an effort to fill three vacancies but the lone candidate who completed all three phases of the exam did not pass.
The fire and police departments each have 51 slots for uniformed personnel.
Pitard said the civil service commission will schedule another meeting soon to discuss other issues, including filling a vacancy of its own position.
A seat has been open on the ECSC for nearly a year, following the resignation of former Commissioner Tiffney Hughes, who moved out of El Dorado.
City Clerk Heather McVay said there are eight applications on file in her office from candidates who are interested in serving on the commission.
To request an application, call McVay at 870-881-4877.