TIPS: Storm Recovery Job Opportunities for the Unemployed

By Luann Ladley
Somerset and Hunterdon counties, under the auspices of the Greater Raritan Workforce Investment Board, will participate in a federally funded program that will enable public and private nonprofit organizations to hire unemployed workers on a temporary basis for storm cleanup including the restoration of public lands and infrastructure.
To be eligible you must meet one of these two criteria:
1)    People who have lost their jobs temporarily or permanently due to Hurricane Sandy.
2)    People who have been unemployed for more than six months and have exhausted their unemployment benefits.
In Somerset and Hunterdon counties, individuals can start the application process by attending a Hurricane Sandy Employment Services Orientation being offered Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. at Employment Services located on the first floor at 75 Veterans Memorial Drive East, Somerville, NJ 08876.
Following this Orientation Meeting, you will be required to attend another meeting held Mondays through Fridays at 3:00 pm at 27 Warren Street, 2nd Floor, Somerville, NJ 08876. At this second meeting you fill out the paper work application.
Placement of the workers will not begin immediately. Individual counties must first identify relief, restoration and clean-up projects and determine how to deploy the workers.
If you are interested, make sure that you get your application in early.
For more information about the program, call Employment Services at 908-704-3000 or send e-mails to sandyhelp@dol.state.nj.us or log onto www.Jobs4Jersey.com .
This program will be offered in other counties including Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset and Union. Contact their local One Stop Career Center for more information.
This program is NOT related to any services offered by FEMA. Other employment opportunities may be available through FEMA. Their services headquarters is located on the first floor of 27 Warren Street, Somerville.