Washington, DC - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James, announced the launch of the first in a series of twelve Federal recruitment fairs sponsored by the Bush Administration. The kick-off fair will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, on Tuesday September 23, 2003 from noon to 8:00 p.m., and will coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month.

"The President has charged us with attracting the best and the brightest America has to offer and building a strong Federal workforce through diversity. It is no longer acceptable to rest on our laurels and expect the best candidates to come to us. We must be strategic in our efforts and actively go out and recruit the Federal workforce from communities throughout America," stated Director James. "Through our Working for America recruitment fair initiative we will be achieving a strong, talented and diverse workforce."

"Opportunities exist in nearly every sector of the workforce for those willing to serve our Nation. From homeland security, intelligence, healthcare to emergency management, America is counting on those with commitment to serving their fellow citizens. Launching these recruitment fairs during Hispanic Heritage Month sends a strong message - the message that this Administration is committed to reaching out to Hispanics and all traditionally underrepresented groups," added James. "We are committed to diversity and to building a strong workforce through aggressive outreach."

The recruitment fair will feature a government-wide USAJOBS booth for jobs throughout the nation. More than 30 individual federal agencies will have individual booths with job opportunities, and hundreds of jobs are available to be filled on the spot with direct hire authority granted by Director James. OPM will also host workshops on interviewing, resume writing and the application process throughout the event. A list of agency participants and positions can be seen at the OPM.gov website by clicking on the USAJOBS link or by going directly to www.usajobs.gov.

The recruitment fair will also highlight the Federal Government's many career opportunities and the varied fields of interest available to applicants. In addition, the fair will showcase the U.S. government as an employer of first choice and an equal opportunity employer. Additional fairs are scheduled to take place in Kansas City, Missouri; San Antonio, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Las Cruces, New Mexico; El Paso Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Detroit, Michigan; Miami, Florida; San Diego, California; and New York, New York.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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