Columbia County put on a job fair Monday for the 77 openings officials are ready to fill.
Paine College seniors Tania Ward, 24, and Zindzy Jones, 23, checked out the Geospatial Information Services department’s $30,000 autonomous drone. It does vertical takeoffs and landings and flies itself in tight patterns over a designated area taking high-resolution photos. That department didn’t have any current openings, but the college students were impressed.
Both are scheduled to graduate in May with bachelor’s degrees in sociology. Jones said she was interested in the corrections officer positions open at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
“I want to work somewhere with children and youth and eventually be a probation officer,” Jones said.
Jeff Carney, the human resources director for the county, acknowledged it’s difficult finding workers in a tight job market, but he said the last job fair attracted almost 500 people, and the county ended up with hundreds of applicants.
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But managers are selective and aren’t willing to make hasty hiring decisions, Carney said.
“Our managers are pretty picky. Everyone is on a six-month probation. If you don’t hack it, you’re out,” Carney said.
The lowest paying jobs currently open in the county government pay $16.80, below the county’s new Amazon warehouse where new workers earn a minimum of $18 an hour.
Carney said a few county employees went to the Amazon warehouse attracted by the higher pay and airconditioned warehouse.
“And they’re back,” Carney said. “Sure, working outside for the county it can be hot in the summer and it’s brutal. But you’re not going to be treated like a robot.”
Carney encouraged county recruiters to emphasize the health benefits, 24-hour county employee gym and the culture.
“The money attracts them, but the culture keeps them,” Carney said.
Potential employees can visit the county’s job postings at https://www.columbiacountyga.gov/county/jobs.
Carney said to check the website every week for new job listings.
Joshua B. Good is a staff reporter covering Columbia County and military/veterans’ issues for The Augusta Press. Reach him at joshua@theaugustapress.com
