A stimulus-fueled jobs program hopes to help Sacramento County and local businesses put people to work.

The $4 million Job Opportunity Program, led by the county's Department of Human Assistance using federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, targets low-income workers and those in the state's CalWORKs welfare-to-work program.

The yearlong program kicked off Oct. 1 and extends through Sept. 30, 2010, said department spokeswoman Lucinda Serynek.

The county office partners with local businesses, pre-screens applicants and pays 80 percent of the worker's wages. The business picks up the remaining 20 percent.

Employees in the program work for up to six months with the goal of being hired permanently; meanwhile, participants build up work experience, earn cash and increase their chances of finding other employment.

CalWORKs clients can call their caseworkers to learn more about the program and apply for jobs.

Those who aren't CalWORKs clients can call the department's Employment Services Bureau, 4990 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, at (916) 875-3330.

For additional information, call the Department of Human Assistance at (916) 875-3280.

Seminar targets state jobs

Learn how to apply for a state job at a noon seminar Friday at the State Personnel Board's examination services building, 801 Capital Mall, Sacramento.

The hourlong seminar shows participants how to complete the state application and how to read examination bulletins. The workshop will also cover different types of applications and the state's hiring process.

No appointment is required.

For more information, call the State Personnel Board at (916) 653-1502.

Career night Thursday

Job seekers can take advantage of a free career fair Thursday at the Sacramento Public Library, 828 I St.

Sacramento Career Night will feature personalized résumé sessions, free resources for job seekers and tips on career transitioning, among other resources.

The 5 p.m. event is sponsored by The Sacramento Bee. Participants include the state Department of Consumer Affairs, the Los Rios Community College District, the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, and the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association.

For additional information, call the library at (916) 264-2700 or (800) 209-4627, or visit www.saclibrary.org or www.sacbee.com/careernight.

Military job fair upcoming

Local job seekers with military backgrounds can attend a free career fair Nov. 12 at McClellan Park.

The RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Aerospace Museum of California, 3200 Freedom Park Drive at McClellan Park.

The event is open to veterans with civilian work experience, active duty personnel who are transitioning to civilian life, National Guard, reservists and military spouses.

A number of employers are slated to attend, including Aflac, the California Highway Patrol, the Federal Aviation Administration and Lockheed-Martin.

For more information, go to www.recruitmilitary.com.

Tell us your 'second act'

Have you lost your job to layoffs or business closures? Are investment losses forcing you out of retirement? What's your second act?

Are you retraining for a new career? Headed off to grad school? Have you landed a job in a completely new field? Are you volunteering while you seek a new job?

Are you thinking about opening your own business, or have you already hung out your shingle?

Let us share your story. Call The Bee's Darrell Smith at (916) 321-1040 or e-mail dvsmith@sacbee.com.

We want to hear from you

Is your company hiring? Is your organization hosting a career fair? Is your campus rolling out a job skills program? Contact Job Front at dvsmith@sacbee.com.

Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.