Mower County is looking to fill three positions following retirements or resignations.

On Tuesday, the county board authorized three departments to go forward in hiring the personnel, a process that will begin with internal postings due to union requirements.

An office support specialist in corrections, a dispatcher at the Law Enforcement Center and an office assistant in human services are all vacant.

Though the county has been under a hiring pause, county coordinator Craig Oscarson said the departments have already gone through a justification process detailing why the positions need to be filled.

Third District Commissioner David Hillier said he’d like to see staff reductions to help with the budget crunch, but not in these areas.

“These positions are key positions,” he said.

Oscarson said the positions would likely be posted Tuesday. Each of the three jobs will be posted internally for at least four to 10 days before they are advertised to the public.