Sarasota County to hold job fair for military veterans July 25

Christian Casale, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read

Sarasota County is hosting a veterans’ job fair Saturday, July 25 in honor of “National Hire a Veteran Day” to help fill vacancies in local government jobs.

The job fair will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health building on Ringling Boulevard.

County Veteran Recruitment Engagement Specialist Janet Sokolowski said the county has about 80 job openings – with the application qualifications typically a driver's license, high school diploma, or a degree or experience in a particular field.

“It is just like the regular job fairs we have. It is a great opportunity to meet your employers,” Sokolowski said. “We try to facilitate you meeting them and getting face to face with the hiring managers. It is just more conducive meeting somebody and trying to ask those more detailed questions.”

Sarasota honors veterans with a Memorial Day parade on Main Street on Monday. The event was followed by a ceremony at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park. West Point graduate Michael Tollerton was the keynote speaker.
Sarasota honors veterans with a Memorial Day parade on Main Street on Monday. The event was followed by a ceremony at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park. West Point graduate Michael Tollerton was the keynote speaker.

What veterans should bring to the Sarasota County job fair

Sokolowski also said veterans should be prepared to present their D 14 Discharge Papers or a letter from the Veterans Administration with their service details.

To qualify for Veterans' Preference, which gives those who served at least one day in the armed forces during war time favored status for government jobs, former service members much have been honorably discharged.

The event is also open to reservists and members of the national guard, those with an active-duty spouse, and unmarried widows of those killed in action.

Other employers that also honor Veterans' Preference – such as Publix, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office – will also be present. Sokolowski said the local VA will be there to help veterans apply for benefits and for suicide prevention services.

Chief Veterans Services Officer Darrell Butler said in a press release that the county appreciates the committment of service from veterans. “When veterans work for Sarasota County, they are able to continue their passion for public service and be surrounded by a team that shares the same sentiment,” Butler said.

In June 2024, the national unemployment rate for veterans was 2.9%, compared with the national rate of 4.1%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota looks to fill vacancies with job fair for military veterans