This study investigates the recruitment and retention challenges, facing municipal government IT organizations in Southern California, by examining the relationships between worker demographics, competencies, experience levels, tenure, and training within the organizations. Utilizing a mixed method, non-experimental design, the study examines local government IT organizations, in the eight Southern California counties, to ascertain how they could be more competitive in terms of the recruitment and retention of information workers. Three hundred-thirty questionnaires were distributed to individual having responsibilities that include recruitment and retention, with 93 ultimately participating. The literature suggests that the IT labor market in Southern California should be experiencing a decline in the pool of qualified information workers, primarily due to the retiring baby boomer generation, yet study participants report they have a surplus of applicants. The results indicate that the current economic recession has created a temporary labor bubble in the Southern California market, which will dissipate as the economic environment normalizes. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]