Law Enforcement Career Fair, Employment Website Seek Applicants

SALEM, OR — From chiefs of police to 911 dispatchers, thousands of soon-to-retire law enforcement officials will need new applicants to take their place in Oregon. Streamlining the state's Criminal Justice career search process, several law enforcement agencies have combined their efforts to create a centralized database of employment opportunities at OregonPoliceJobs.com.

Additionally, to help spur the hiring effort, which is further motivated by 500 upcoming retirements this year alone, the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), in partnership with the Oregon Peace Officers Association, Oregon State Sheriff’s Association, and the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, will host the 2018 Oregon Criminal Justice Career Fair April 20 and 21 at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

"Across the state, law enforcement agencies are looking to hire men and women from diverse backgrounds who are problem solvers interested in engaging with community members to help make communities safe," DPSST Director Eriks Gabliks said in a statement. "The theme for the state recruiting effort is '208 Agencies, One Team, One Mission — Keeping Oregon Safe.'"

From Albany to Woodburn, law enforcement agencies representing multiple sectors have listed their open positions at OregonPoliceJobs.com. And after filling hundreds of newly opened positions in 2017, Gabliks is hopeful the new website and third annual career fair will fill even more.

"Our message is simple," Gabliks explained. "Agencies around the state are looking to hire more than 500 qualified employees — men and women from diverse backgrounds — to fill both sworn and non-sworn positions at city, county, state, tribal, university and federal law enforcement agencies."

More than three dozen agencies will be represented at the career fair, Gabliks said, noting the two-day event will give applicants an opportunity to meet and speak with the representatives of those agencies and explore a plethora of career options within law enforcement, including corrections personnel, lab and evidence technicians, and forensic chemists.

Along with interview opportunities, career fair attendees will also be treated to three separate panel discussions: Why Policing in 2018; Women in Law Enforcement; and Military to Law Enforcement: Continuing to Serve.

"In previous years the panel discussions have been well-attended and have allowed applicants (and friends and family members) interested in career opportunities to hear first-hand from those currently working in the field," Gabliks said. "What to expect, what a day is like, what challenges and rewards they have experienced, what they wished they would have know when they applied, etc. (And) each session is followed by active question and answer sessions."

The two-day career fair will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21, at 4190 Aumsville Highway in Salem.

Image via Sean Locke Photography/ShutterStock