Sonoma County job fair, featuring fire recovery work, draws many potential workers

Hundreds of people turned out Tuesday afternoon for a job fair at the Graton Resort & Casino that was ostensibly targeted for rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of last month’s devastating wildfires.

While construction workers were in great demand, the event featured more than 170 employers and nonprofits that were recruiting personnel throughout the North Bay across all sorts of sectors. It was sponsored by Sonoma County Job Link, a county job search and career assistance program.

Employers ranged from Macy’s to Medtronic, from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to the E & J Gallo Winery - a stark reminder that it’s still a worker’s labor market locally with a 3.2 percent unemployment rate for Sonoma County for the month of September, before the catastrophic wildfires.

The fires will have an effect, especially on certain industries such as hospitality -- three hotels burned down in Santa Rosa, resulting in the loss of about 400 hotel rooms. But those job losses may be mitigated by other employers hiring for multiple openings, like the Graton Resort, recruiting at the job fair to hire for open positions in 27 separate areas, from VIP beverage server to electrician.

“We have had a few applicants apply who were sadly impacted and displaced from their job in the hospitality industry, but we’re definitely seeing a mix of many others seeking good employment that provide good benefits that are offered at Graton Resort & Casino,” said spokeswoman Lori Nelson in a statement. Its individual employees get medical, dental and vision insurance entirely covered by their employer.

Others were recruiting because the overall labor market is very tight and they realize they have to be proactive to remain competitive.

“While there might not be something available now, there may be something in six or eight months down the road,” said Bryan Salva, a recruiter for Marin General Hospital in Greenbae, which was looking for prospects in nursing and physical therapy and those in administrative roles.

But at Ghilotti Bros. Inc., the demand is immediate. The San Rafael company is ready to hire an additional 30 workers for cleanup of gutted homes within the city of Santa Rosa, said Axia Santos, a human resources representative for the firm.

“The crews are going to be so big that we are looking for so many,” Santos said.

Those workers must have a certification in handling hazardous materials, which requires completion of a 40-hour course, and be affiliated with a local trade union. Such jobs pay almost $29 an hour with benefits, according to a union representative.

Job seekers said they appreciated that the event featured so many employers in a wide range of industries, making it much more efficient than searching online.

Rafael Cubero of Petaluma said he had already applied at the U.S. Postal Service for a mail carrier job, but he also was keeping his options open as he walked through the ballroom. The postal service had a booth at the job fair.

“I am looking at getting on plan B, C, and D, if plan A doesn’t work,” Cubero said. He noted he was an Army veteran and was interested in law enforcement opportunities as well, especially as recruits are paid while they train.

Some were looking for part-time work. Jenner Ninemires of Sebastopol said she wanted to supplement her work at a local veterinarian’s office as well as being caregiver. She was intrigued by an opening at Enterprise Rent-A-Car for workers who shuttle rental cars back from one location to another.

“You can pick your own hours on a lot of the jobs, which was nice,” Ninemires said.