PINEVILLE — The Kentucky State Parks System (KSPS) may utilize a temporary employment agency for some seasonal workers this coming summer, which, in turn, could potentially make the hiring process easier for Pine Mountain State Resort Park officials.

According to Communications Director Gil Lawson of the KSPS, the idea has been thoroughly discussed and debated, but the plan is currently on hold.

“The department of parks has been looking at this, but they have not made a final decision on whether they are going to do it or not,” declared Lawson. “They simply felt like they needed some more information before making a final decision.”

He explained that the department needs more time to prepare for the potential transition, in order to better understand how the hiring process is going to work.

He went on to say that the parks department has been looking at the employable system for quite some time.

“The parks have faced a lot of budget issues and constraints the last few years, and this is just one of the many steps they have examined to save money,” Lawson explained. “The department of parks believes they can save more than a million dollars by using the temp. agency. The reason for this is the cost of unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation insurance would be with the temp. agency and not the state parks.”

Lawson added, “Another positive aspect of the system is that those workers would be registered with the temp agency, so when their park employment ran out... they would still be on a list for job opportunities with other employers.”

Lawson maintained that the process of hiring and placing employees is a lot quicker with the temp. agency — in comparison with the state government process.

“For example, if we had a weekend where we were expecting a large crowd and needed extra help, we could basically call the temp. agency and quickly have people there. The state process takes a lot longer,” Lawson contended.

He then explained that the parks department is not the first state agency to use temporary services — alleging that the Department of Transportation and Health and Family Services have used the temp. system for an extended period of time.

“It does occur in government, as well as private business,” Lawson noted.

He then said that seasonal employees — such as waitresses, maintenance workers, recreation workers and housekeepers — tend to work three to six months throughout spring and summer. Lawson said that the park system uses the seasonal employees “during their busy season,” in order to keep up with the increasing number of visitors to state parks.

“We’re not talking about adding new jobs here. We are just considering the process of how we hire them and what steps they take to get on at state parks,” Lawson said.

Lawson concluded by saying that the park system will need about a thousand seasonal workers this year alone — in 52 parks, resorts and historical sites across the state of Kentucky.

Manager Stephen Eastin of the Pine Mountain State Resort Park said that the Pineville-based park typically hires around 40 seasonal positions each year — depending on need and/or demand.

He asserted that the normal park hiring process begins with filling out an online application. Eastin then said that individuals must meet with park supervisors for further consideration.

“It can be a lengthy process,” Eastin declared. “Unfortunately, it’s not just walk in the door and you’re hired.”

Eastin said that currently there are a lot of questions surrounding the possible temp. agency conversion, and park operations are proceeding as normal.

“I think everything they do up in Frankfort is in our best interest,” Eastin maintained. “They want to keep the parks open and keep guests coming back for the experience.”

Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.