Board of Examiners approves temporary critical shortage designation for two DOC positions amid recruitment and pay concerns
January 14, 2026 | BOE State of Nevada, Constitutional Entities/Officers, Organizations, Executive, Nevada
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The State of Nevada Board of Examiners on Jan. 13 approved a temporary designation of ‘‘critical labor shortage’’ for a senior physician post and correctional officer positions at Ely State Prison and Lovelock Correctional Center for Jan. 13–June 30, 2026, allowing the Department of Corrections (DOC) additional hiring flexibilities under NRS 286.523.
The designation followed testimony from Department of Corrections Director James Zarenda, who described persistent recruitment difficulties in rural northern facilities and said the DOC uses continuous recruiting, staffing contractors and ‘‘critical rehires’’ to manage shortfalls. "We do continuous recruiting all year for these both of these positions," Zarenda said. He reported that Lovelock has about a 35% vacancy rate for correctional officers and that Ely's vacancy rate is higher.
Board members pressed Zarenda on recruitment strategy and pay. Zarenda said medical coverage at the two facilities includes physician assistants but lacks on-site medical doctors: when care exceeds a PA's scope, inmates must be transferred to Carson City or local hospitals. He also said pay for DOC physician roles is ‘‘very low’’ compared with local hospitals and recommended salary parity to make corrections positions competitive. ‘‘You would have to make a salary adjustment ... comparable to the local hospital,’’ he said.
A board member requested DOC provide salary comparables so the Board can make an ‘‘apples-to-apples’’ comparison. Zarenda acknowledged those figures were not on hand but said they are readily obtainable.
The Board moved to approve the designation and passed the motion by voice vote. The designation is effective through June 30, 2026; no further implementation steps or funding changes were specified during the meeting.
What happens next: DOC will continue recruiting and the Board requested that DOC supply comparative salary data to inform any future pay adjustments or recruitment-related proposals.
The designation followed testimony from Department of Corrections Director James Zarenda, who described persistent recruitment difficulties in rural northern facilities and said the DOC uses continuous recruiting, staffing contractors and ‘‘critical rehires’’ to manage shortfalls. "We do continuous recruiting all year for these both of these positions," Zarenda said. He reported that Lovelock has about a 35% vacancy rate for correctional officers and that Ely's vacancy rate is higher.
Board members pressed Zarenda on recruitment strategy and pay. Zarenda said medical coverage at the two facilities includes physician assistants but lacks on-site medical doctors: when care exceeds a PA's scope, inmates must be transferred to Carson City or local hospitals. He also said pay for DOC physician roles is ‘‘very low’’ compared with local hospitals and recommended salary parity to make corrections positions competitive. ‘‘You would have to make a salary adjustment ... comparable to the local hospital,’’ he said.
A board member requested DOC provide salary comparables so the Board can make an ‘‘apples-to-apples’’ comparison. Zarenda acknowledged those figures were not on hand but said they are readily obtainable.
The Board moved to approve the designation and passed the motion by voice vote. The designation is effective through June 30, 2026; no further implementation steps or funding changes were specified during the meeting.
What happens next: DOC will continue recruiting and the Board requested that DOC supply comparative salary data to inform any future pay adjustments or recruitment-related proposals.
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