There are about 800 law enforcement-related jobs currently open statewide.
According to Gwendolyn Hogan, public relations officer with the Georgia Department of Corrections, military veterans will have an opportunity to compete for these jobs at a military recruitment job fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at the National Guard Armory in Glennville.
The free event is focused on military veterans, but the civilian public is invited as well.
The job fair is being hosted by the GDC and six other state law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Defense, National Guard, Juvenile Justice, Public Service, Natural Resources and State Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Although the hosting agencies are law-enforcement related, the available positions are not limited to that field. Hogan said previous law-enforcement experience in the military occupational specialty of a military-police officer or criminal investigator is not required.
The positions with the Department of Natural Resources, for example, may include some game warden positions. Other positions in DNR are available, she said.  The event will feature a variety of law-enforcement positions, including administrators, probation officers, correctional officers, engineers and counselors.
“Law enforcement is a great transition for military veterans,” Hogan said. “It has that paramilitary structure they’re already used to like a chain of command, strict discipline and working with firearms.”
Military veterans can register online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/MilitaryJobFair. Preregistration is not required, she said, but it helps hosting agencies have an idea what kind of participation to expect.
Last year, more than 220 veterans registered for the event.
“We’re trying to offer some jobs onsite at the job fair,” Hogan said, encouraging veterans to come with copies of their resumes and to be dressed for an interview.
Joan Heath, GDC public affairs director, said the GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the country. She said the GDC is responsible for more almost 60,000 state prisoners and more than 160,000 probationers. The GDC’s 12,000 employees make it the largest law enforcement agency in the state.
“The (GDC) was honored with hosting the first law-enforcement military job fair,” said GDC Commissioner Brian Owens, who said the first job fair was held last year at Tift College in Forsyth. “It was such a success that we wanted to bring it to other areas around the state.”
Parole-board Chairman Albert Murray echoed Owens’ remarks. He welcomed the opportunity to give veterans information about Parole Board positions and those interested in a public-safety career.
Rachad Hollis, public relations officer, said the parole board employs approximately 300 parole officers who supervise nearly 24,000 parolees.
To get to the armory, attendees should take Highway 144 East from Fort Stewart, cross the intersection with Highway 301 in Glennville and continue east on 144 toward Reidsville. The armory is on the left.
From Hinesville, attendees should take Highway 196 to Glennville and turn right on U.S. 301, turn left at the traffic light and intersection with 144 and take 144 toward Reidsville. The armory is on the left.
For more information, call 478-992-3247.