More job seekers than available jobs

With the private sector shedding jobs to stay afloat, government agencies are about the only employers still in need of new workers, especially in Baker County.

The sheriff’s office requires 60 more correctional officers to staff the new jail annex, plus another 21 civilian positions in departments like record keeping and human resources.

Northeast Florida State Hospital (NEFSH) needs to fill almost two dozen nursing spots and 16 other vacancies in direct-care jobs like security and patient services.

“They’re all hands-on positions,” said NEFSH administrator Joe Infantino.

He added that while there’s a good pool of applicants for the direct care openings, there’s a shortage of qualified nurses to fill the 22 available positions.

Danny Thomas, project manager for the sheriff’s new facility, said even though the hiring process hasn’t officially begun, many applications have been submitted in anticipation of the facility’s June opening.

But for the roughly 730 unemployed workers in Baker County, public sector jobs are basically the only option right now, said Worksource spokeswoman Candace Moody.

Worksource is a federally-funded job placement and training program with offices across the region, including one in Macclenny on South 6th St.

According to unemployment figures released last month, Baker County’s jobless rate increased more than three percent from December 2007 to December 2008.

“It’s been that way everywhere,” Ms. Moody said. “But Baker County is doing okay compared to other areas in the region.”

Baker County is tied with Nassau County for the third highest unemployment rate in the region at 7.3 percent. Putnam County leads the way at 9.4 percent and St. Johns County shows the least number of unemployed at 6.6 percent as of December 2008.

In turn, Worksource has seen a comparable increase in applicant registrations. There were 435 job seekers registered in Baker County from July to September 2008 and 650 from October through December 2008.

“That’s about a 50 percent increase,” Ms. Moody said.

By Jennie Painter

Meanwhile, there were only 35 positions in Baker County posted to the Worksource job bank as of last week.

“That’s probably the average over the last few weeks,” said Ms. Moody, adding that job posts from private industries like manufacturing and transportation are “way down” across the region.

“People are still hiring, but they’re not creating new jobs,” she said.