UTICA, N.Y. – Oneida County is hiring workers to assist hospital systems with administering the coronavirus vaccine.

The Oneida County Board of Legislators approved County Executive Anthony Picente’s request to create the ‘vaccinator’ positions and use $2.6 million to fund them.

“Urgency is essential at this crucial point in our battle with this pandemic that has crippled our community for far too long,” said Picente. “With cases continuing to rise and hospitals struggling to maintain care, we need to be getting shots in arms as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our Health Department, which is trained and tested in vaccination distribution, is best equipped to handle this. We are moving forward with our efforts and stand ready to do even more when the state removes the barriers holding us back.”

The workers will be hired on a temporary basis to vaccinate residents at sites designated by the county, and must have a medical background.

“A vaccinator has to be able and educated and trained in the distribution of the vaccine, and it's not limited to nurses -- it could be other EMS-type individuals or providers,” said Picente.

These employees will be supervised by the public health director and will prepare and administer vaccines. Pay is listed as $22 per hour.

There are also openings for administrative assistants, LPNs, nurse practitioners and RNs.

To view or apply for any open positions, click here.

The funding used to hire and pay the workers is expected to be reimbursed through federal aid.

On Wednesday, Picente sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushing for the expansion of the vaccination programs to those in Phase 1B. The state is currently administering vaccines to those in Phase 1A, which includes health care workers and nursing home residents.

The county has opened a site at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica to people in the Phase 1A vaccination group only. It is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.