Online job advertising in Northeast Florida fell 0.7 percent in October from September, but rose 11.2 percent from October 2010.
For the month, the number of online advertised vacancies dropped by 136 positions. However, the postings rose by 2,073 over the year.
The numbers come from WorkSource, which covers the region of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns Counties.
The year-over-year increase comes from several areas, said Candace Moody, WorkSource vice president of communications.
“Some of it is replacement hiring. Some workers are beginning to transition back to jobs that have more hours, pay better or are closer to their previous type of work,” Moody said.
“Some of the remainder is finally due to the pressure small businesses are feeling. Business is up for most of them, and there comes a point where they finally begin to hire the owner simply can’t do it all anymore. We’re seeing that as a trend,” she said.
The month-over-month decline reflects some concern among employers, she said.
“After a spike in hiring in the spring of 2011, postings have declined slightly as business owners worry about the prospect of a double-dip recession,” she said.
“Right now, we’re seeing a spike in customer service and retail positions for the upcoming holiday season. Those positions, although temporary, provide a way to earn income for young workers and adults who need extra cash for their families during this season,” she said.
“We hope that consumer confidence boosts spending — and prompts hiring — into the New Year as well,” she said.
WorkSource reported that since the official end of the recession in June 2009, online job demand in the region has increased by 6,309 jobs.
It reported that labor demand, as measured by online advertised vacancies, bottomed out in January 2009 in the region. Since then, demand has increased by 9,771 openings.
Job postings continue to remain most prevalent in customer service, health care, computer systems, sales and truck driving.
The monthly report comes from data collected by The Conference Board, a New York-based nonprofit source of economic information.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity makes the information available to the 24 Workforce regions in Florida.
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Top advertised occupations in October
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity reported the number of jobs advertised online, compiled by The Conference Board. Here are the numbers for the region served by WorkSource. That area consists of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties.
| Occupations | Online ads |
| Total ads | 20,617 |
| Customer service representatives | 755 |
| Registered nurses | 624 |
| Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | 604 |
| Retail salespersons | 564 |
| Web developers | 541 |
| Computer systems analysts | 524 |
| Receptionists and information clerks | 455 |
| Executive secretaries and administrative assistants | 422 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers | 384 |
| Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 320 |
| Insurance sales agents | 302 |
| Computer support specialists | 293 |
| General office clerks | 284 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers | 277 |
| Network and computer systems administrators | 252 |