The Redmond DMV sits empty at 3835 SW 21st in Redmond after closing in May due to staffing shortages.

After shutting down May 31 due to lack of staff, the Redmond DMV will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

“We’re still having challenges with hiring,” said Kevin Beckstrom, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles. “That’s been the issue with reopening offices.”

The staffing issues are a problem throughout the state. A search of the Oregon State government hiring portal turned up 105 open positions for ODOT throughout the state, with seven openings in Bend.

“We have a lot of positions open and we would love to get them filled,” said Beckstrom. “If you want to stay in Redmond or explore, we’ve got them all over.”

Initially, ODOT thought staffing issues would likely be ironed out by the end of the summer and the Redmond office would be back in operation. That timeline has been pushed back, however.

Beckstrom said that although they don’t currently have a timeline for reopening in Redmond, they’re constantly monitoring the hiring office. The sooner they’re able to fill positions in the region, he said, the sooner they’ll be able to re-open it.

“When we can get it open, we will,” Beckstrom said. “And hopefully that’ll be soon.”

According to Beckstrom, they need to hire a management position first. Once someone is in the role, he said that will go a long way to getting the Redmond location back in operation.

While it can be a demanding job and not always a happy place for people to go, Beckstrom said the DMV is a great job for people who are customer-service oriented.

“(They’re) great people to work with and it’s a really good organization to work with, especially if you like to work with people,” Beckstrom said.

Currently, Redmond motorists are directed to either use the Bend DMV, located at 63085 N Highway 97, or check to see if their needs can be fulfilled online at www.oregondmv.com.

“We offer so many more services online than we used to,” Beckstrom said. “That’s helped a lot because if you don’t have to go in, that makes it a lot easier.”

He added that the DMV’s online services have also helped reduce waiting times for those that need to go in to the office. For anyone interested in a job, Beckstrom said to visit www.odotjobs.com.