CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion will host the 12th installment of its annual “Paychecks for Patriots” job fair in Ocala next month as part of a statewide effort to connect Florida’s veterans with employment opportunities.

The free job fair will be held on Tuesday, November 19, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Conference Center located at 3001 SW College Road in Ocala.

“Paychecks for Patriots” is open to all job seekers. However, for the first hour of the event, priority will be given to veterans and active service members as well as their military families.

The hiring event will feature a variety of “veteran friendly” businesses with immediate positions to fill, including the Florida Department of Corrections, FedEx, City of Ocala, and Chick-fil-A. Henry Ayala, retired U.S. Army and a local veteran employment representative for CareerSource CLM, stated that these employers all value the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are developed during military service.

In addition, “Paychecks for Patriots” will include:

  • A free job fair preparation clinic on Wednesday, October 30, starting at 2 p.m. at the CareerSource CLM career center in Marion County (2703 NW 14th Street in Ocala). The center’s Clothes Closet will also be open at no charge for those who are interested in selecting attire for the job fair.
  • In partnership with SunTran, bus fare tokens for veterans in need of transportation to and from the event will be available starting on Wednesday, October 30. These tokens will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the following locations:
    • Ocala Ritz Veterans Village (111 NE 12th Avenue in Ocala).
    • Marion County Veterans Services Office (2730 E Silver Springs Boulevard, Suite 100 in Ocala).
    • Silver Springs Shores VFW Post 4493 (11100 SE Maricamp Road in Candler).
    • CareerSource CLM’s career center (2703 NW 14th Street in Ocala).

A week prior to the hiring event in Ocala, CareerSource CLM will host another installment of the “Paychecks for Patriots” job fair on Tuesday, November 12, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Realtor’s Association of Citrus County located at 714 S Scarboro Avenue in Lecanto, off the Gulf-to-Lake Highway.

CareerSource CLM’s “Paychecks for Patriots,” along with similar hiring events held throughout the month of November in other CareerSource Florida regions, is presented in partnership with the Florida National Guard, Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and FloridaCommerce, formerly the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Those who are unable to attend the “Paychecks for Patriots” job fair may apply for open positions online. An employment portal containing information and resource links for Florida veterans is also available by clicking here.

Throughout the year, veterans and eligible spouses receive Priority of Service at all CareerSource CLM career centers. Fee-free services are available weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and include staff assistance, job referral and placement, resources, and other employment services.

For more information about “Paychecks for Patriots” or CareerSource CLM’s year-round Veterans Services, please call 1-800-434-JOBS(5627), ext. 2225.