The City of Greenbelt’s first Job Fair on Saturday, May 7 was a high energy event, bringing together 20 employers and agencies that connected approximately 100 candidates, including 30 youth (under 25), to employment opportunities. The city partnered with Beltway Plaza, which hosted the event, to bring together potential employees and employers.
The job fair arose as Greenbelt CARES coordinated the city’s rental assistance program during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We spoke to many residents who were laid off or looking for new employment. We wanted to help connect people with work and help Greenbelt employers find local employees,” explained CARES Director Liz Parks. “We hope to help residents find employment that will help them be financially stable.” Employers described their organizations and needs to job seekers. Candidates provided résumés to employers, applied on the spot and planned interviews.
Employers included local government, and local, global, small and large companies in management consulting, retail, property management, hospitality, health care, security and education. They included the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (hotel operation and management opportunities); Franklin Park (leasing and groundskeepers); LiveBE apartment provider (leasing, maintenance, building management); Visiting Angels home health care; Amazon; Maid Brigade; IHOP restaurants; security firm Strategic USA Groups; Angarai International management consulting firm; and language, art and music education provider Art Play Learn.
In government, Greenbelt opportunities include the Police Department (police officers and dispatchers); Animal Control (animal control officers); the Department of Public Works (building, park and playground maintenance and mechanical staff and tree technicians, Public Works Director, summer help); Recreation Department (youth and adult staff for summer camps and the Aquatic & Fitness Center (GAFC); and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (administrative staff, skilled labor, groundskeepers and summer youth hires). GAFC Aquatics Coordinator Cynthia Brown noted the facility’s interest in older adults for shifts that high school and college student employees cannot cover, and noted GAFC provides lifeguard training for a fee reimbursable after hiring.
Training and employment support organizations present included TrainACE Academy of Computer Greenbelt (IT training), and Employ Prince George’s (job search assistance, career advice and funding for skill training and certification). Several employers learned about Employ Prince George’s recruitment services at the fair, and plan EmployPG partnerships. CARES offered case management services to connect folks to resources, including a financial literacy course (see greenbeltmd.gov/government/departments/greenbelt-cares.)
Candidates and rental assistance recipients learned about the event via CARES counselors, Beltway Plaza advertising and other sources. Employers learned via CARES, Greenbelt’s economic development coordinator and other city communications to landlords and employers. GAFC Supervisor Stephen Parks reported that employers were very happy with the turnout and were pleased to identify mature candidates; CARES expects this to be the first of multiple job fairs.
The event exceeded Theresa Simmons’ expectations. She was laid off during the pandemic and found multiple opportunities suited to her skills. Employers praised city engagement with them. Jennifer Rucker of LiveBE said, “I’m very happy with the Job Fair,” and Sylvester Okere of Strategic Groups USA said, “I’m happy with what I see here. This is what we call community.”