By MARLON A. WALKER
Published June 15, 2006
LARGO - It was like any other job fair. Hundreds filed through the room hoping to come away with the promise of a job - or at least a shot at a call-back.
But these candidates will face a much more rigorous screening process. For starters, they can't smoke. Not just if hired, but six months before they even apply. Other requirements include a background check and in some cases passing physical and written exams.
It was the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office's first job fair. It seeks to fill nearly 150 new and vacant positions.
"We've been to so many job fairs, we figured why not try one of our own," said Lt. Tim Slaughter of the human resources division.
While there is no major personnel shortage, Slaughter said the fair will help fill vacant positions and staff the new medical facility at the Pinellas County Jail on 49th Street N. Medical care facilities from different security levels in the jail will be combined in the building, set to open in January.
Officials from several divisions were on hand Wednesday to begin the process of filling their empty positions. Jayne Snivley, an assistant supervisor with the inmate records section, said it takes a certain type of person to work in her department.
"You have to multitask, pay close attention to detail ... and be even-tempered," she said. "It's a lot of phone calls. And not very nice people calling."
Dillon McCulley and Anthony J. Pierre, both 23, want jobs in law enforcement to help deter people from making bad life decisions.
"People who aren't doing the right thing ... need an influence encouraging them to do the right thing," said McCulley, of Lutz.
"I scoffed at the law and thought it was useless," said Pierre, of Brandon. "As I grew up, I learned that law and restraint were essential in a person's life."
Slaughter said initial steps were taken Wednesday to get many people in the pipeline for jobs.
"It's been successful enough to do another one in the future," he said.
