County unemployment rate hits 18 percent

Montana’s unemployment rate may have dropped one-tenth of a percentage point in January to 5.3 percent, but that’s no consolation to Lincoln County residents seeking work who are witnessing jobless rates at more than three times the state rate.

The 18 percent unemployment rate in Lincoln County is the highest in the state, outpacing second-place Sanders County (16.1 percent) by nearly two full percentage points, which is the highest in more than a year.

The figure also represents a 2.5 percent increase from December’s 15.5 percent.

“It is high, but we’ve got 89 jobs listed,” said Johnette Watkins, manager of the Kootenai Job Service office. “This is almost double of what we’ve had in the past. Normally, we’re at 45 or there about.”

Comparatively, the county’s highest unemployment rate in 2013 was 17.3 percent also in January, with the lowest of 11.6 percent in May. Even the low figure is more than twice that of the state average.

A review of the job offerings showed 27 percent are  medical-related. Sixty percent are local listings, and 13 percent were out-of-area opportunities.

Of those listings, applicants needed a degree or licensure for 25 positions, most of them in the medical field. Of the listings, there were 66 job openings in Libby, five opportunities in Troy and 14 in the combined areas of Eureka, Fortine, Trego and Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

“We’re seeing some forestry jobs openings opening up,” Watkins said. “Wildlife Recapture is still looking for people, and some service jobs are available. Those are seasonal, but there are some opportunities out there now for people who want to work.”

Watkins realizes a percentage of people who call Libby home are employed out of the area, most notably in the Baaken oil fields of North Dakota. She’s grateful for at least the availability of those jobs even though they are out of state.

“(The Baakens) are something of a safety valve for families here,” Watkins said. “It gives people a chance to work who don’t want to give up their homes here, and the money they earn comes back here, and it’s spent here. Frankly, I feel like we’re lucky that is an option. It’s tough on the family structure, but at least it’s an option.”

Latest figures from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry estimate there are 250 Montanans from a four-county area — Lincoln, Lake, Flathead and Sanders — working in the Baakens, which is about 200,000 square miles of oil- and gas-rich subsurface area of the Williston Basin under parts of Montana, North Dakota, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada.

“The Baakens were critical during the recession and recovery for Montana because of the infusion of cash,” said Barb Wagner, a chief economist with the Department of Labor and Industry. “They played a key role.”

Wagner said Northwest Montana’s timber industry was hit hard during the recession as construction jobs slowed. Wagner said the effects of the recession affected many families employed in the timber industry because often loggers are self-employed and don’t generally pay for unemployment insurance.

“In logging, there’s a high level of self-employment, so when the economy faltered, a lot of those people suffered,” Wagner said. “Many did what they could and that meant in the Baakens. Certainly, a lot of Montana’s timber is exported, so when China’s economy improves, it’s likely we’ll see more logging in the Northwest.”

The 5.3 percent unemployment rate for Montana reflects a one-tenth of a percentage point improvement from December, which is attributed to strong job gains. Montana’s unemployment rate continues to be lower than the national unemployment rate of 6.6 percent, which is also down one-tenth of a percent since December.

“Montana started 2014 off strong, posting its highest job gains in years — adding nearly 2,000 jobs in January,” Gov. Steve Bullock said. “These numbers are more proof that Montana’s economy is on the right track.”

“Data revisions suggest Montana’s job growth for 2013 was much stronger than first estimated,” said Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy. “Montana’s jobs grew by 1.7 percent in 2013, which is faster than our historical average growth.”

Here’s a list of the available jobs in Lincoln County and Bonners Ferry, Idaho:

Total employment, which includes payroll employment plus agricultural and self-employed workers, added 1,906 jobs in January and posed the highest over-the-month job gain since July of 1983.  

Payroll employment estimates also suggest strong growth during January, adding 1,600 private-sector jobs and 200 public jobs (for a total job gain of 1,800). The leisure and hospitality sector added the most jobs of any industry with a gain of 1,200 jobs.

The average employment in 2013 was 7,880 jobs higher than the 2012 average. Labor force estimates also were revised upward, resulting in slightly higher unemployment rate estimates than originally announced. Montana’s unemployment rate in 2013 was 5.6 percent.

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.1 percent in January, despite declines in the price of gasoline.  Household energy prices for electricity and heating fuel increased sharply, mostly attributed to cold weather throughout the country, causing the energy index to increase by 0.6 percent.

Job Board Listing

Libby

(Job description, salary)

Office Generalist, negotiable; Forestry Aid, $11.06; Recycling Center Helper, $9; Service Technician (Full time) negotiable; Motel Housekeeper, $7.90; Motel Housekeeper, $7.90; Motel Housekeeper, $7.90; Bartender/Waitstaff, $8; Family Support Assistant (PT), $9.10; Roofer/Carpenter, negotiable; Housekeeper/ Laundry Worker, $8.61; Golf Shop Attendant, $7.90; Golf Maintenance Crew, $7.90; Surgery RN, negotiable; Tray Aide (2 openings), negotiable; Cook, negotiable; Occupational Therapist (PRN), negotiable; CNA (full time and PRN), negotiable; Management, negotiable; Restaurant Crew, negotiable; Casino Floor Runner, negotiable; Sanitarian 1, $17.28; Clinical Officer Director, negotiable; Chef/Cook, negotiable.

Occupational Therapist, negotiable; Server, $7.90; Line Cook, negotiable; Bartender, negotiable; Executive Director; $50,000; Forestry Technician (hotshot/handcrew, $27,990; Speech-Language Pathologist, negotiable; Emergency Department RN (PRN) negotiable; Group Homes Lead Trainer, $11; Medical Surgical Manager, negotiable; Staff RN- Med/Surg- Night Shift, negotiable; Occupational Therapy Assistant, negotiable; Mechanic, negotiable; Manual Laborer, negotiable; Engine Boss, $12.25; Firefighter, $11; Journeyman Electrician, $31.62; Therapist, negotiable; Nurse Practitioner or Physician Asst., negotiable; Forestry Aid, $9.84; Part Time Bank Teller, negotiable; Office Assistant, negotiable; MDS Nurse, negotiable; Sporting Goods Assistant, negotiable;

Physician, negotiable; Med/Surg. RN-PRN, $25; Registered Dietitian (RD), $26.77; Service Coordinator/CNA, negotiable; Clinical Team Lead, negotiable; Cashier/Stocker, $8.50; Carpenter, negotiable;  Experienced Taxidermist, negotiable; Laborer, $10; Sales/Advertising, $8; Tire Sales and Service, $12; Certified Medical Assistant or LPN; $11.15; Automotive Mechanic, $15; Hydroseed Technician (ND), $30; Director of Nursing, negotiable; Project Cost Accountant, $20; Mechanic, $12; Early Head Start Substitute Teacher, $9.10; RN/LPN, negotiable; Certified Nursing Assistant, negotiable.

Troy

Forestry Aid, $11.06; Forestry Technician, (hotshot/handcrew), $29,900; Resident Advisor, $12; Forestry Aid, $9.84.

Eureka, Fortine, Trego

Forestry Aid, $11.06; Forestry Aid, $11.06; Cell Tower Technician, negotiable; Teller, $10; Certified Nursing Assistant, negotiable; Transit Driver, $9; Forestry Technician (hotshot/handcrew), $29,990; Forestry Technician (hotshot/handcrew), $27,990; Forestry Aid, $9.84; Forestry Aid, $9.84.

Bonners Ferry

Seedling Grader, $8.75; Loading Crew Worker, $8.75.