Ocean County Promotes JOBS Program to Employers

Ocean County Probation Office is raising awareness for the New Jersey Judiciary’s Opportunities for Building Success Program (JOBS) connects private companies and non-profit organizations with successful drug court and probation clients who want to rebuild their lives and want to work.  One of the most significant barriers for  court and probation clients is to find stable employment, no matter what their education level or job experience. Because people on probation face added obstacles in their search for meaningful employment, the Judiciary welcomes the opportunity to work with the business community to secure stable employment for successful participants. The JOBS program presents an exceptional opportunity for us to strengthen the collaboration between government and the business community, while giving people a chance to reclaim their lives. The program also provides employer with tax credits for their business.

According to the NJ Court system; the JOBS program is designed to connect probation clients to employment opportunities, job readiness programming and skill-building training opportunities. The probation division oversees the day-today operations of the program, serves as a continuing point of contact for employers, and works to determine which clients are deemed appropriate for the program.  When opportunities arise, probation staff will provide employers resumés to consider and will link clients and potential employers to begin the application process. Probation staff will be available to consult with employers during and after the selection process. A number of employers participate in the program. These include Wakefern, Goya Foods, Inc., AtlantiCare, and Stockton University, as well as Unite Here Local 54, which represents employees of the Hard Rock Café in Atlantic City. In addition, more than 200 other companies throughout the state have been identified as willing employers for this program. The New Jersey Department of Workforce Development has partnered with the JOBS program and provides an array of services for probation clients, including job readiness training and access to transportation, necessary work equipment, and clothing.  The Judiciary will work closely with companies and non-profit organizations to ensure that  clients are reporting to work. The Judiciary will monitor and track referrals and placements. This also will include a review of the effectiveness of the program, including using statistics to measure results.

If you are an employer that would like to find out more on the program, please reach out to Ocean County JOBS Liaison and Senior Probation Officer Rob Tracy at 732.504.0700 ext. 64578