Hundreds attend Public Safety career expo in Cumberland

Dressed in crisp black slacks, a button down shirt, and boots, a 40-something-year-old man walked into Allegany College of Maryland, looking as though he were headed for a nice dinner on the town. But the man’s most notable quality was the look of determination on his face.

“I want to be a correctional officer. I applied online two weeks ago, but I’m here to make sure I did everything the right way. I’m just waiting to get a date to take the test.”

He was one of about 280 people who made their way to the college to attend the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’s inaugural career expo – Operation Hire: Western Maryland. Public Safety has vacancies for correctional officers, counselors, electricians, plumbers, dietary workers, social workers, psychologists, and medical and dental workers that need to be filled at Western Correctional Institution and North Branch Correctional Institution.

The strong message being pushed by the 50 plus department employees who came out to share their job experiences with the crowd was it’s more than showing up for work every day and collecting a paycheck. The department is offering a career.

Since being sworn in more than a year ago, Secretary Stephen Moyer has made it a priority to fill vacancies with qualified and quality candidates.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for coming out to meet with the men and women who work in our institutions and make this community a safer place to live.  Thank you for the interest in becoming part of the team” said Moyer, addressing the crowd of employment seekers.

By all measures, the expo was a success.  More than 100 men and women signed up on the spot to register for testing as a correctional officer.

The department’s recruitment efforts will move from region to region throughout the year with Operation Hire making stops in Harford County, Baltimore City, Jessup, and the Eastern Shore.