PLEASE NOTE: Nothing in this publishing or on this website should be taken as legal advice.
Cameron County, Underpaid County Workers
An Animal Control Officer in Cameron County makes $25,502 a year or $12.26 a hour. This is per a job announcement on the Cameron County Government website. An Auto-Tax Clerk I makes $26,778 a year or $12.78 an hour. Again, this is posted on the Cameron County Government website.
There are numerous jobs listed on the Cameron County Government website below a living wage. We reference a living wage calculator published by Dr. Amy K. Glasmeier and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to establish a living wage for Cameron County.
The calculator determines a living wage for a single adult to be $14.85 an hour. If there are two adults and one is working then it is $24.53 an hour. If both adults are working then each adult should make at least $12.27 an hour. However, none of this takes into account raising children. Once one child is in the equation the living wage, for one adult, goes to $30.28 an hour.
Job Safety Doesn’t Improve Low Wages Offered by the Cameron County Government
There are numerous jobs listed as accepting applications on the Cameron County Government website with a starting salary below these estimates. Some even require potential for altercations with citizens; such as a role in the Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department. A Community Activity Officer, also known as a Field Compliance Officer, has a requirement to obtain a “Handle with Care (HWC) State Approved Restraint Technique Certification.” This role starts at $25,920 a year or $12.46 an hour.
Another role with the Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department starts at the same salary of $25,920 a year or $12.46 an hour. It also requires the restraint certification and is titled Control Booth Operator. This role also requires one to obtain a Juvenile Supervision Officer Certification.
Cameron County Detention Officers are on the cusp livable wages. The role offers a starting salary of $30.998 a year or $14.90 an hour.
A Maintenance Worker for the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office starts at $21,131 a year or $10.15 an hour. This job, although not directly requiring certification for restraint applications, is involved with fixing matters in various environments which may pose safety risks.
A Med-Tech (Health Care Professional) working in the Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department starts at $14.00 an hour. This role works under a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and distributes medications to juveniles held in the facility. The role does not require specific restraint certification either, but that does not change the restricted environment.
A Medication Aide makes $23,131 a year or 11.12 an hour. It has a similar environment to the other Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department employees.
Working for the Cameron County Court System is No Exception to Low Wages
A Court Assistant I has a starting salary of $25,502 a year or $12.26 an hour. This is a role involving filing legal documents and issuing various types of legal process. The role even requires someone have two years of experience performing secretarial and/or administrative support work in a criminal justice system or legal environment.
A Court Records Coordinator starts at $28,116 a year or $13.51 an hour. This role works for a Judge of an assigned court, the Court Administrator, and Court Coordinator. It also seeks two to four years of experience in civil or criminal fields.
A part-time Magistrate Clerk has a starting salary of $10.50 an hour. This role involves drafting documents, creating and implementing forms, running reports, managing inventory, assisting the pubic, and various other tasks.
OPINION: Cameron County Government Pays Many Below a Livable Wage
It is evident by looking at the open positions posted on the Cameron County Government website that many are paid below a livable wage. Some of the wages are what employers in the area paid in the early 2000s.
We must ask, why is the pay so low for so many roles with Cameron County? What is being done to improve the working conditions? Why has this continued for an extended period of time? Which political candidate or incumbent is assisting in improving the quality of life for Cameron County Government workers?
We can also show you the salaries of these elected officials. They are well above the minimum livable wage. What are they really doing to improve the backbone of Cameron County Government so it can sustain and improve the county?
Honestly, it is rather deplorable to see such low wages for those working in a great part of Texas. Cameron County has so much to offer the State of Texas and the surrounding community, but it appears those in select roles are not working to stabilize a livable wage for all of its workers.
Maybe some of the “elite” are working to improve the wages, but there needs to be more exposure on it. There needs to be more dialogue. The people need to know they matter and it needs to be represented in livable wages for all employed with the Cameron County Government.
A Couple of Our Other Reads
You may be interested in our publishing on the current Campaign Finance Reports for Cameron County Sheriff.
Or you may find our publishing on the Cameron County Jail, of interest.
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