Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii conducted on-site interviews and offer positions on-the-spot to qualified, eligible candidates during the Hawaii Career Expo at the Neal Blaisdell Center.

Career opportunities were available in a variety of fields like engineering, public safety, community planning and environmental protection. Specifically, fire fighters, security guards, dispatchers, plumbers, electricians (including high voltage, HVAC, hazardous waste disposers and electronics) were sought. There were more than 100 jobs offered and more than 200 applicants.

"The job fair is an opportunity for job seekers to actually talk to someone (employers) about the job, bring a resume and to get some helpful information," Shawn Morrissey, CNRH deputy operations officer.

Civilian careers in the Department of the Navy have an important role in supporting and protecting the fleet, family and warfighter while making a difference in our nation's security.

As deputy operations officer for the operations department, Morrissey said the job fair is a way for their department to be able to reach out to a broad audience of people to fill jobs they have available for operations.

"We [Region] will be looking at 50 job offers for security guard positions, 12 to 15 fire fighter positions and 12 security administration assistants that we will be filling in our security department," Morrissey said.

NAVFAC Hawaii was looking to fill over 100 positions.

Commanding Officer Capt. Richard Hayes III pointed out the incredible opportunity the Career Expo provides for qualified applicants.

"With Direct Hiring Authority (DHA), NAVFAC Hawaii has been successfully employing new personnel and reducing our vacancies in past few months," said Hayes. "We are very pleased to partner with Navy Region Hawaii in this career fair event to attract and employ the most talented folks from the local community."

"We had a wide variety of job seekers who were eager to be considered for employment and were excited with the opportunity to potential get a job offer at the Expo." said NAVFAC Hawaii Human Resources Director, David Pedersen. "We collected over 190 resumes in virtually every career field we were looking for. We conducted 42 interviews and were able to make 30 on the spot job offers and expect to make more in the next few days. It was a great event and we are already looking forward to the next job fair."

Lamar Triplett attended the Workforce Career Fair at the Neil Blaisdell Center in January with very positive results. "I had been to other job fairs on the mainland and they had tables and brochures but that was it. I thought the job fair I attended in January would be just a meet-and-greet but I actually got seven interviews and three job offers while at the fair."

In the end, Triplett was offered and accepted a position as a security guard. "I choose the Navy because I had a military background and the reputation of the Navy's civilian workforce," Triplett said. "Being a security guard with the Navy gives me a sense of being part of a team working alongside military security and civilian police forces. It is a great way to get law enforcement experience."

The benefits of civilian employment with the Navy go beyond the immediate job satisfaction.

"Once you have a federal job, you have the opportunity to move throughout the system and move up in responsibility," said Triplett.

He offers advice for those interested in finding a federal job at the Career Expo. "Dress professionally, have a resume on hand and be ready to present yourself. It is an outstanding opportunity to get hired by a great organization."

The benefits and training available to federal employees make working on the Navy team an unparalleled opportunity.

As components of the U.S. Navy, CNRH and NAVFAC offer competitive salaries as well as an outstanding government employee benefits package, which also include annual cost-of-living adjustments. CNRH and NAVFAC are dedicated to supporting our workforce and improving their quality of life across the board.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/.