City of Santa Maria: City and local restaurant hiring more staff

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Me and Ed's Pizzeria has been trying to jump start its opening day several times.

"It took us a while to open ... we were in need of employees badly to open here," said district manager Jose Sanguino of Me and Ed's Pizzeria.

Throughout the summer the locally owned restaurant has been pushing to hire more staff.

Managers said while they finally were able to open, the restaurant is still in need of more employees.

"We’re looking for servers ... we're looking for cooks ... we're looking for expos and I think we’re mostly looking for servers because we don’t have much," said leader server Crystal Sanguino of Me and Ed's Pizzeria.

While the restaurant is off to a good start, the City of Santa Maria is now looking to hire more staff as well.

"We have positions in a variety of department … whether it’s the library ... or administration ... or the police department … so it’s a great idea if you’re looking for a career with great benefits," said spokesperson Mark van de Kamp of the City of Santa Maria.

City leaders say working for Santa Maria is a chance to give back to the community.

But like with Me and Ed’s Pizzeria, the city is having to push extra hard to find new employees.

"We’re having the same challenge as a lot of businesses are facing … that a lot of jobs are available ... and not as many people applying as in the past," said van de Kamp.

The Santa Maria Police Department also has at least a dozen positions currently open.

"We want to keep that high level of service … we’re looking for officers and support staff … maintain a high quality of law-enforcement and protection that our community depends upon," said van de Kamp.

Of you’re looking for a job, both Me and Ed’s Pizzeria and the City of Santa Maria are welcoming your applications.