CalExpo job fair for state workers facing layoffs

One option for a state worker facing a layoff is to find another job – with the state.

Hundreds of state workers – perhaps more than 1,000 – are expected to converge on CalExpo’s Grandstand area near the race track on Thursday, June 11, to participate in a state-sponsored job fair to ease the pain of job cuts. Even as the fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. a two-house conference committee continues deliberations in the Capitol on covering a $24 billion budget deficit.

One piece of those budget deliberations is a layoff scenario proposed by the governor that includes some 5,000 state employees, although the final number those who will be laid off is unknown. The state has about 238,000 workers, including some 185,000 under collective bargaining agreements negotiated with unions.

The state sent out notices to about 4,600 state workers, and nearly a third of them – 1,432 employees – live in Sacramento or a dozen surrounding counties.

The goal of the fair is to match job-seeking workers with state departments that have openings. The event is not open to the general public, however. It specifically is designed for workers facing layoffs, who must present their official notices and a picture ID to gain entry. David Gilb, director of the Department of Personnel Administration, also urged workers to bring “a sufficient number of copies of your completed state application with references. Do not put your Social Security number of your state application.”

He advised workers to bring a sack lunch and beverages, if desired, because there will be only a limited opportunity to purchase food at the fair site, which can be entered at the Eastern Gate at Challenge Way and Exposition Boulevard. Directions are posted at the site and parking is free.

“We hope you will attend the job fair,” Gilb said last week. “In addition, we will be developing a web site over the next two weeks that will be dedicated to helping SROA (State Restriction of Appointments) candidates find job matches. We will provide you with information on the website as soon as it is available.”

At the fair, “employees facing layoff can meet representatives from departments with vacancies. The reps will accept applications and conduct interviews on the spot,” the DPA said. “The fair focuses on vacancies in the Sacramento area. Employees from any location can attend as long as they have received a layoff or SROA notice, but they should expect to find jobs in the Sacramento area.”

More information about the job fair can be found on the DPA’s website, www.dpa.ca.gov/news/news/2009/20090605-01.htm .