by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from February 13 until March 4

Young adults are our future. They are just beginning to explore where their lives are headed and need mentorship, guidance, and advice to start the journey. The Jeffco YouthWorks Young Adult Job Fair is a place for young adults to start.

This is the final young adult job fair taking place in the state of Colorado for the year and a chance for young adults to discover career possibilities and opportunities in the work force. Be sure to share this opportunity with any young adults, ages 14 to 21.

All are invited to the 2013 Jeffco YouthWorks Young Adult Job Fair from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on March 5 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds , 15200 W. 6th Ave in Golden.

Local businesses are also invited to participate in the fair. Jeffco YouthWorks is still accepting businesses with available full-time, part-time, summer jobs, or career opportunities for young adults. What a great way to recruit and support young adults in the community!

Businesses that will be at this year’s event include Bandimere Speedway, DISH Network, Home Depot, JetStream Ground Services, Pirates Cove Family Aquatic Center, Safeway, and many more.

With the community wrapped around young adults in this way, the future of our young adults and our community look very bright.

For more information visit www.jeffcoyouthworks.org or call 303-271-4613.

by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from October 2 until October 21

Could your business, or even your employer, help turn the economy around? Yes! Local businesses can help boost Jefferson County’s economy by doing one simple thing - adding one new employee. Working in Human Services, I am often asked by businesses in our community what they can do to help our citizens. Now I simply tell them to just AddONE new position at their company.

AddONE is a grassroots effort started by business owners, community stakeholders and government agencies. This initiative is designed to generate jobs and boost the economy. At the launch of the AddONE campaign on September 12, Jefferson County Commissioner Donald Rosier encouraged local businesses to add one…or two, or three, or four, or five, or six.

“The possibilities around AddONE are endless. Imagine the number of jobs that will be created and the positive impact on our economy. Companies will thrive,” says President and CEO of Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, Kevin McCasky.

The best way to help boost the economy is to get people back to work. When people are working they spend more money and businesses thrive. When businesses do better, more jobs are created and the economy starts to improve. With over 20,000 businesses in Jefferson County, if only 5 percent of businesses hired one person, 1,000 additional people are employed.

Think about the impact that 1,000 additional people in the work force would have on Jefferson County! Think about the domino effect of AddONE … people working again, people spending money in our Jeffco Communities. This supports our businesses, which enables our businesses to thrive, which energizes the economy, and at the end of the day enhances the quality of life for everyone in Jefferson County and beyond. It can all happen one job at a time.

For more information, please visit www.AddONE.org or call the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation at 303-202-2965.

by Becky Baker, Building Safety Division Director
comments open from September 27 until October 16

Fall is a prelude to falling winter temperatures; what a great time to start thinking about preparing your home for dipping temperatures. Here are a few tips to help you winterize.

Furnace
Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly. Yes, it is easy to forget but it is important to replace or clean furnace filters once a month during the heating season. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. Consider switching out your thermostat for a programmable thermostat. If a hot-water radiator heats your home, bleed the valves by opening them slightly and when water appears, close them.

Fireplace
Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds. If the chimney hasn't been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote. Store firewood in a dry place away from the exterior of your home. Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.

Exterior, Doors and Windows
Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them. Use weather-stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows. Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood. If your home has a basement, consider protecting window wells by covering them with plastic shields that can be easily removed in case of an emergency. Switch out summer screens with glass replacements from storage.

Roof, Gutters & Downspouts
With weather temperatures falling below 32 degrees in the winter, adding extra insulation to the attic will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams. Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home. Replace worn roof shingles or tiles. Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris. Consider installing leaf guards on the gutters and extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.

Prevent Plumbing Freezes
Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency. Drain all garden hoses. Insulate exposed plumbing pipes. Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off. If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees. Don’t forget the lawn sprinkler system – drain any portion that may freeze due to cold weather.

Remember, taking time to prepare your home to withstand winter conditions can help prevent time consuming and costly repairs.

by Jennifer Fairweather, Human Resources Director
comments open from July 23 until August 11

When most of us hear the term “Compensation”, we typically think of the money we receive in our paycheck each payday. However, “Total Compensation” goes beyond salary, it is the complete pay package we receive as employees at our work place. This includes money, health care benefits, retirement options, training, flexible schedules, paid time off, work environment and so much more. Total Compensation can be defined as all of the resources available to employees, which are used by employers to attract, motivate and retain employees.

Your annual salary is only one piece of the total compensation package. Think about how much your work place contributes to your medical, dental, basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), long-term disability, retirement plan, Medicare and Social Security tax to name a few components. These are all important measures of your Total Compensation that can help provide the value of your position/job. Most employers perform an annual analysis of your Total Compensation; this can include comparisons to other “like” businesses or entities depending on the compensation strategy. There can also be different methodologies used to compare positions/jobs within the market.

The example above lays out some of the things that may be considered as “Rewards of Work." Contact your employer today to find out more about your Total Compensation in order to fully understand the value in what your employer provides, which is more than just a paycheck.

by Jennifer Fairweather, Human Resources Director
comments open from March 21 until April 9

Want to receive notifications about jobs with Jefferson County that interest you?

Sign up for Job Interest Alerts to receive up-to-date notifications when selected positions become open. Job interest alerts allow you to select job categories for which you would like to receive email notifications. Once you do this, you will receive an email notification each time a position opens with Jefferson County whose category matches one of the categories you've chosen.

The process takes only a few minutes. To sign up for Job Interest Alerts, please visit our jobs page at jeffco.us/jeffcojobs.htm where you will find instructions on how to do this as well as information on the current positions we have available.

by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from January 27 until February 15

With the recession, adults are becoming more willing to take jobs that pay less, which used to be reserved for teens. Nearly 25 percent of teens faced unemployment last summer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Andrew Sum, head of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, states that proportionally, more teens have lost their jobs recently than they did during the Great Depression.

Colorado youth are facing similar struggles, but Jeffco YouthWorks is working to help youth change these statistics. Jeffco YouthWorks helps connect youth with educational opportunities and experiences that help them get a first job, a better job or a career. Youth can also receive help obtaining a GED and acquiring necessary training in order to become better qualified for a position.

During the month of March, Jeffco YouthWorks is hosting a young adult job fair to bring businesses with available positions together with youth to meet face-to-face. This hiring event gives teens a chance to explore career possibilities with Jefferson County businesses that have full time, part time, summer jobs and career opportunities available for young adults.

While unemployment increases teen susceptibility to drugs and crime, a job can teach youth responsibility, leadership and the opportunity to learn about employment. Jeffco YouthWorks focuses on youth employment because, not only does it provide such benefits, but it also helps teens transition to adulthood, while promoting social development and decreasing poverty.

For more information contact Christa Hittle at chittle@jeffco.us or 303-271-4608 or visit jeffcoyouthworks.org.

by Jennifer Fairweather, Human Resources Director
comments open from January 4 until January 23

New Year’s is a great time to set personal goals. But don’t forget to also focus some attention on developing your career.

1.Think about where you want to be in your career (short-term and long-term) and take note of what you need to do to get there.

2. You may want to initiate a meeting with your boss to discuss your long-range goals and discuss how he or she can help you get there.

3. If your goals include a change in career, it may be a great time to explore networking and educational opportunities that may help you with that transition.

4. Finally, don’t underestimate the value of enhancing your current skills through training classes and opportunities to work on new or different job functions.

These are just some of the things you can do to focus on your career in 2012. And be sure to check out the Jeffco Jobs page for job opportunities with Jefferson County!

by Jennifer Fairweather, Human Resources Director
comments open from March 29 until April 17

You may find that the application process includes open ended questions for many of our positions at Jefferson County. These questions generally ask that you provide additional information about your skills, qualifications or work experience.

The answers to these questions are often used to further determine the best qualified applicants for a particular position. Because of this, it’s very important to answer these questions thoroughly and with enough detail to provide an overview of the skills you have.

Here are some quick tips for answering these types of questions:
1. Read the question thoroughly and respond to the information being requested.
2. Do not leave the response blank or answer the questions ”see resume.”
3. Check your responses for proper grammar and spelling mistakes.
4. Provide responses that are detailed yet succinct. Remember the reviewers have several responses to read.
5. When asked about your experience, be sure you provide specific information – where, when, what and how.

These simple tips are additional ways to aid in a successful job search. Job opportunities for Jefferson County are posted on our website at www.jeffco.us/jeffcojobs.htm.

by Rusty Collins, CSU Extension County Director
comments open from March 1 until March 20

There is a sweeping movement in the metropolitan areas of Jefferson County and surrounding urban communities towards Urban Agriculture, which includes activities like community and school gardens, raising backyard chickens and bees, container and rooftop gardening, utilization of greenhouses for food production, locally grown food being brought into the schools, aquaponics (raising fish), analysis of local food systems and more.

In response to this trend, key Extension personnel from campus participated in an Urban Ag tour last fall, including Tom Hoby and Amy Ito from Jefferson County Open Space, and Rusty Collins from CSU Extension. Campus representatives included the Economic Development Coordinator Kathay Rennels, the Dean of the School of Agriculture Dr. Craig Beyrouty, CSU Extension Northern Region Director JoAnn Powell, and the Director of CSU Extension /Vice President of Engagement for Colorado State University, Dr. Lou Swanson.

As a result of the Urban Ag tour, combined with increased citizen demand for information and resources related to Urban Ag activities, CSU Extension will be creating a part time position to serve a one-year appointment as an Urban Ag Coordinator. This will be a contract position for 12 months, at 50% time. The position will be located out of the Jefferson County CSU Extension office and serve the urban and metropolitan areas of Jefferson County and Denver. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct programming, build partnerships, develop resources and lay groundwork for future efforts.

The position will focus on start-up and existing producers/growers who employ commercial agriculture or growing practices in an urban environment to either generate revenue or to share their product with others. This position will serve as a resource in the metro and urban areas for knowledge and technical information regarding business practices for urban agriculture and micro-farming enterprises.

The job description will be posted soon on the Jefferson County Jobs Posting page.

This is an exciting time at CSU Extension in Jefferson County! Please contact me if you have any questions, comments or feedback at rcollins@jeffco.us.

by Public Information
comments open from February 25 until March 16

All youth between the ages of 14 and 21 are invited to come to the Jeffco YouthWorks Job Fair where full-time, part-time, summer job or career opportunities will be available. It is scheduled for March 1 from 1:30 to 5:30 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, located at 15200 W. 6th Avenue in Golden.

Bring your resume & charm to apply directly with employers. Dress to impress for potential interviews. Explore career possibilities in emerging industries. Visit with community partners and school representatives. If you’re 18-21, check out your customized hiring zone.

Preregistering online at www.jeffcoyouthworks.org is encouraged. Or call 303-271-4613.

Everyone starts somewhere. Brad Pitt moved refrigerators. Stephen King cleaned offices. Tommy Hilfiger sold pants from the trunk of his car. Wherever a person is in his or her life, in school, out of school, searching for a first job or wanting a better one, he or she has the same opportunities to be successful. Attend the Jeffco YouthWorks Job Fair and let us show you how to get started.

by Jennifer Fairweather, Human Resources Director
comments open from February 22 until March 13

One of the best ways to keep pace with the changing workplace of today is to be committed to your own professional development. It can be as simple as volunteering for new responsibilities or learning a new task. It could involve enrolling in training classes you have through your workplace or courses offered through local colleges and universities.

Another option is to network with others in your field, perhaps through a social network or a professional association. Finding a volunteer role within a community or non-profit organization is another great way to expand your skills while meeting new people and exploring your interests.

Finally, you might seek out a mentor -- someone who can share his or her valuable knowledge and experiences with you. By taking charge of your professional development, you can be prepared for the rapid changes in today’s workplace through maintaining or enhancing your skills.

Remember -- you’re never too experienced to learn something new.

by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from November 22 until December 11

In November, Jefferson County Human Services, along with the entire country, celebrated Veterans Day with a great deal of respect and gratitude for all the men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom. As engraved on the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., “Freedom is not free.” I feel that everyone at Jefferson County Human Services understands the special meaning of this quote and strives to give back to the veterans in our community.

The Jefferson County Veterans Service Office, for example, assists veterans and their dependents in applying for benefits they may be eligible to receive. Benefits and services include compensation, dependent and survivor benefits, home loan guarantees, vocational rehabilitation, health care, burial, pension and life insurance. The mission of the Veterans Services Office is to help veterans in any way possible. For more information please call Henry Mondragón at 303-271-4205, contact vs@jeffco.us or visit www.jeffco.us.

Another resource is Jefferson County Workforce Center. We know it’s not always easy to find a job after military service. Jefferson County Workforce Center works with Jefferson County Veterans to utilize, promote and expand upon training, work ethic and skill sets to find a perfect career, post military service. Under Public Law 107-288, the Jobs for Veterans Act, we are charged with ensuring that all eligible veterans receive Priority of Service and are provided with maximum employment and training opportunities. Those services include, but are not limited to, registration, counseling, referral to supportive services, referral to job openings, job development, education and training. For more information regarding veteran job services and Jefferson County Workforce Center contact John Koontz at 303-271-4769, jkoontz@jeffco.us or Joel Levitt at 303-271-4715, jlevitt@jeffco.us or visit www.jeffcoworkforce.org.

All veteran services provided by Jefferson County Human Services are simple ways we give back to these brave men and women as well as our community. If you are a veteran who can benefit from these services or knows of someone who can, please contact us. We are standing by, at your service.

by Jennifer Fairweather, Human Resources Director
comments open from October 5 until October 24

Along with the rest of Jefferson County, the Human Resources Department is celebrating Customer Service Week! The business of Human Resources is all about customers; and Customer Service Week provides a great opportunity for us to focus on ways to improve our service delivery and reconnect with employees, future employees and other visitors to our department.

What are the key components for Human Resources to provide great service? For us they are “Sharing, Empowering, and Connecting” – the three ways we believe we best serve Jefferson County. And, by the way, this happens to also be our new “tagline” for the department.

by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from January 12 until January 31

On Thursday, December 10, Governor Ritter visited the Jefferson County Workforce Center to officially launch the CareerReady Colorado Certificate, a tool that helps match the right person with the right job.

The CareerReady Colorado Certificate is awarded after an individual completes a skills assessment at any workforce center. The assessment, a WorkKeys system from ACT, verifies workplace skills in reading for information, locating information and applied mathematics.

While job seeking, David Bebout used his certificate to land a job at Envergent, an environmental assessment company. "This is gauging intellectual qualities, commitment, team work analysis and analytical skills," Bebout said. "These are all things that any business can utilize and so can any job-seeker."

Ameristar is one of those businesses realizing the benefits of the CareerReady Colorado Certificate. "At Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, we just opened our 4 star hotel in October, and found that utilizing the WorkKeys assessments that can lead to a CareerReady Colorado certificate helped us to identify the best qualified candidates in the most timely manner. Working with the Jeffco Workforce Center to administer the assessments has made it very easy for us," says Reggie Fullwood, Sr. VP & GM, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, Black Hawk.

In addition to launching the CareerReady Colorado Certificate, the governor unveiled three legislative proposals intended to help employees and small businesses with job training and retraining programs:
• Incentives for health care professionals to work in rural areas.
• Extended eligibility of the existing CollegeInvest nurse loan forgiveness program.
• Implementing employee funded job-retraining accounts which would offer incentives to businesses that match contributions.

Gov. Bill Ritter told the crowd that this is the worst economy since the Great Depression. "Government can't solve the unemployment problem by itself, but it does have a role," Ritter said. "We're making significant investments in job training and retraining programs so that Coloradans have the right skills for the new jobs that we're able to build in this economy," Ritter said.

by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director, and Mary Russell, Workforce Center Director
comments open from September 25 until October 14

Are you a business struggling to provide relevant education to your employee base? Are you unable to serve your customer base with current, timely, accessible career development training? Jefferson County has the answer for you with the ‘classroom on wheels’ approach to education and career development.

The eTrain Mobile Training Lab has launched in Jefferson County, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Jefferson County Workforce Center, a Division of Human Services, and the Jefferson County Public Library. You can see the video of the event on the Jefferson County Media-on-Demand page.

The eTrain will be hitting the road to visit chamber events, businesses and not-for-profit organizations, offering classes and workshops designed to meet the individual needs of each organization.

The eTrain offers seven computer stations so users can access many helpful databases and resources and a knowledgeable instructor able to assist with career search, resume writing, skill assessment and workshop registration activities.

If you are a not-for-profit group or organization and would like more information or to schedule an eTrain class from Jefferson County Public Library, please contact Stacy McKenzie, program and education coordinator, at 303-275-6236 or via email.

If you are a business or non-profit organization and would like more information or to schedule an eTrain workshop from the Jefferson County Workforce Center, please contact Linda Sollars via email.