By Courtney Dentch
Representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Agency and other agencies were on hand to discuss possible job opportunities with the 100 applicants who turned up.
“They have all kinds of jobs, from spies to paralegals,” Weiner said. “There were people lined up ready to come in at 2.”
Weiner held the job fair to connect the agencies with Queens residents who may have skills and knowledge – particularly in languages – that the government is specifically looking for, he said.
“What many government agencies are deficient in – language skills, knowledge of different parts of the world – we in Queens have a great deal of,” Weiner said. “I get questions from agencies asking me where they can get people with those skills.”
Queens is the most diverse county in the United States, with foreign-born people making up more than 40 percent of the population. More than 112 languages are spoken by people in Queens, Weiner said.
“Anything the federal government is looking for, we have many times over,” he said.
Some job searchers, such as Christine Shi of Forest Hills, were glad for the opportunity to meet with representatives from federal agencies.
“I want to apply for a job at the FBI for myself and my husband,” Shi said. “My husband is very good with computers. I'm good with languages and mathematics.”
One man, a forensic accountant from Forest Hills, was hoping to find a position after he was laid off by the city a year ago.
“I worked for the city Department of Investigation for 16 years and they laid me off,” he said. “I'm looking for somebody who does criminal investigations.”
Many people were just pleased to see the government had jobs available.
“There are plenty of jobs here that the United States is offering,” said a Staten Island woman who declined to give her name. “It's nice to be able to meet people and see what's available.”
Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
