There are calls for an inquiry into claims of “soft corruption” in the City of Greater Geelong's recruitment process.

The city's senior officer ranks, which include those paid more than $150,000 a year, have jumped by 43 per cent in 12 months.

In 2020, 37 City of Greater Geelong staff earned more than $150,000 per year, but that figure rose to 53 in 2021.

Several of the positions were not publicly advertised - including six positions only advertised internally, three unadvertised “direct appointments” and one “agency worker … hired as an interim solution”.

An investigation has already been launched into the city’s recruitment of a new CEO based on concerns about the transparency and integrity of the process.

Former staffers say people were sometimes “just appearing” in high-paying roles.

A 2021 Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) report found “nepotism in recruitment and promotion” is the corrupt behaviour considered to be the greatest risk of occurring across Victoria's public sector.

In 2016, Geelong council was sacked following a three-month investigation which found a “deep-seated culture of bullying” across the organisation.

Ratepayers Victoria vice-president Dean Hurlston says nepotism is the most common form of “soft corruption” in local government.

“For a council that has made it difficult to obtain information about their recruitment process and policies, that's had a huge increase in executive paid staff, has had a municipal monitor appointed to oversee part of its recruitment process, had claims previously made to state oversight bodies around recruitment within the organisation,” Mr Hurlston said.

“If there is something wrong with this [recruitment] process, there may be millions of dollars being used on positions that don't pass the pub test.

“Are the people actually the right people for the role? Do they have the experience? Or are they appointed because they know somebody?”

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne issued a statement through a spokesperson saying; “The Chief Municipal Inspector is conducting an ongoing investigation into the City of Greater Geelong - we are unable to comment on active investigations by the Inspector”.

“Municipal monitors are working with the City of Greater Geelong to support the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer and good governance, and provide recommendations on any further action that may be needed,” she said.