Matthew Richardson says he hears gratifying thanks when he’s on the job as a water maintenance technician for the City of St. Louis. Not that long ago, Richardson was facing down the potential, in his words, of “flipping burgers at McDonald’s.” Now he has a job that’s gratifying and camaraderie with his coworkers, along with notable lifestyle upgrades. A recent job posting for his role lists a salary range from around $46,000 to $56,000.
Richardson is one of the city’s “second chance” employees, someone the city recruited to join its workforce after he served time in prison. Leanndra Cheatham, a senior human resource specialist with the city’s Department of Personnel, has worked diligently to connect with people like Richardson who are itching for a new job and fresh start without judgement.
Aldermen approved a “Ban the Box” ordinance in 2021, which blocks the city from asking about someone’s criminal history until after a candidate is deemed qualified. However, efforts to mount a dedicated recruitment effort floundered amid staffing shortages, says Aaron Swearngin, the personnel department’s human resources manager. Now that the department is staffed up and there’s more time for forward-looking projects, Cheatham and her colleagues are taking recruitment efforts directly into correctional facilities, a departmental first…