Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) recently hosted a successful Civil Service Job Fair at the Newburgh Campus of SUNY Orange. The event was well-attended, with more than 200 job- seekers.

Run in partnership with the NYS Department of Labor, the Job Fair connected jobseekers with State and local agencies. A total of 23 agencies participated, including the State Health Department and the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Dutchess County Office of Probation and Community Corrections, the State Comptroller, the State Police, and the National Guard. Representatives from each agency were there to answer questions and guide candidates on available work.

“I wanted to host a Job Fair to make it easier for people to learn about Civil Service jobs, which offer a great opportunity for career advancement and financial security,” Jacobson said. “Also, with the aging of the workforce, many jobs are available or are soon to be available.”

Candidates, with resumes in hand, continued to arrive throughout the event. Jacobson explained that jobs fairs located in a central area offer an opportunity for people to network directly with multiple employers at once.

“It’s hard to make a good first impression when you’re just sending a resume through an anonymous online portal. And many times, people have questions before they apply,” Jacobson said. “This event allowed applicants to speak in-person with an agency representative, have their questions answered, and make real connections. It’s a critical first step to landing a job.”