Although many government agencies have lost highly skilled employees to private corporations due to lucrative offers, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) is striving to fill recent losses and attract new jobseekers to the Savannah River Site (SRS). The SRNS Information Technology, Workforce Services and Compensation organizations recently held a job fair to further enhance recruiting for IT personnel, including innovative on-the-spot offers. Senior Vice President of SRNS Workforce Services Francine Burroughs explained that the fair was also used to search for qualified engineers.

“During the recruitment fair and several days directly following the event, we have more than doubled our success rate for a typical 90-day period regarding job offers to qualified computer engineering candidates. We are exceptionally pleased with the IT and engineering candidates discovered through this highly successful initiative,” she said. Nearly 300 people attended the one-day event in North Augusta. Their resumes were quickly analyzed, and applicants whose skills matched job needs were encouraged to complete their applications using SRS laptop computers provided at the event. As a result, 36 qualified candidates received contingent on-the-spot job offers. Ronald Stroman, a graduate of South Carolina State University, received the first. “We were very impressed with Mr. Stroman’s qualifications and his enthusiasm,” said SRNS Workforce Services professional Anna Gordon. “His interview went well, and we immediately offered him a contingent position with our IT department.”

According to Gordon, other existing SRNS programs also successfully attract new IT employees to SRS. “We have extensive summer internships and year-round apprenticeships – all paid – that are providing experience at a nuclear facility. We’re offering a very broad range of opportunities in occupational fields that are difficult to find across the country,” said Gordon. “Our pleasant year-round climate, close proximity to the beach and mountains, and relatively low cost of living make the Aiken-Augusta area a wonderful place to live and raise a family.” “Time and again, we hear our IT employees say they greatly enjoy working at SRS,” said Len Bowers, Manager, Information Technology, Enterprise Solutions.

“We have a strategic plan in place, that we will continue to develop and expand, to meet our hiring objectives. Working with the U.S. Department of Energy, I’m confident we will reach those goals. The recent recruitment fair was a great start.” The fair was held at the City of North Augusta Municipal Building for IT disciplines, including cybersecurity, software, network and system engineers. “Occupations for IT professionals at SRNS are extensive and provide a wide variety of options towards professional growth,” said SRNS Talent Acquisition Manager Bryan Ortner. “Our IT professionals also play an important role regarding the Site’s missions involving national security and nuclear defense – a worthy cause and an effort we applaud.”