Two days into a four-day Tacoma job fair offering 338 security positions at Fort Lewis, only 125 people have showed up.
"People need jobs here so bad - I really want to see more people," said Tani Zarelli, project coordinator for Professional Security Concepts, the company interviewing applicants.
The federal government is beginning an effort to privatize its Army base security to free up troops to perform other duties, Zarelli said Tuesday in a too-quiet meeting room at the Best Western Tacoma Inn, 8726 S. Hosmer St.
About a half-dozen states have begun filling a total of 2,200 jobs. Fort Lewis is the next stop.
It's good timing for the South Sound, which has struggled with high unemployment for the last year or more.
The jobless rate in Pierce County hit 7.7 percent last month, slightly higher than Washington state's 7.6 percent, which is the third highest rate in the nation behind Oregon and Alaska.
"We have the opportunity to put a dent in unemployment here in the Puget Sound region," Zarelli said.
Applicants don't need to have military backgrounds, Zarelli said, although many are veterans or retired police officers. The security guards will carry a weapon.
The jobs start at $13.67 an hour, and offer good benefits, Zarelli said.
The job fair continues today and Thursday. Applicants should bring a driver's license, Social Security card and military discharge papers or a high school or general educational development diploma.
In addition, Zarelli said candidates must have no bankruptcies in the last seven years and no felony convictions.
Successful candidates will start work by the first of the year.
Akal Security of New Mexico won the contract to hire the security staff. Elite Staffing Solutions of Chicago is in charge of hiring, and Professional Security Concepts of Vancouver, Wash., is doing the Tacoma interviewing.
Tacoma job fair
What: Interviews for 338 security jobs at Fort Lewis
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Thursday
Where: Best Western Tacoma Inn, 8726 S. Hosmer St. (exit 128 off I-5)
Applicants need: Driver's license, Social Security card, military discharge papers or GED or high school diploma, no felony convictions, no recent bankruptcies.
Email This Page!