Tucson’s recent ranking as the busiest border sector with Mexico for migrant encounters has resulted in an unusual event in Pima County: a hiring fair for shelter jobs.
The Pima County Health Department is set to host a job fair later this week to fill spots in Tucson’s crowded migrant shelters.
The temporary and full-time jobs will be under the county’s Border Health Program.
Border agents in the Tucson sector encountered 64,638 migrants in November, shows the latest data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. That’s more than the record-setting 55,226 migrant encounters the sector reported in October, the start of the federal fiscal year.
Across the southwestern border, CBP says it encountered 191,113 migrants in November, compared to 188,780 the previous month, the agency’s data showed.
Pima County migrant services have been strained for months from an unprecedented volume of arrivals in the border’s Tucson sector, particularly since September, local officials have said.
Pima County has said it is spending about $4 million per month in federal funds for transportation, shelter, medical care and other services for the migrants whom border agents release as legal asylum seekers. That’s double the spending rate for the first half of the year, the county has said.
Most asylum seekers released to shelters in Tucson only stay a night or two before moving on. But the month of an unrelenting flow of arrivals has pushed the county to previously warn of possible unsheltered street releases of asylum seekers.
The job fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, at the Abrams Public Health Center — 3950 S. Country Club Road — according to a news release from Pima County.
“These temporary and full-time positions will fall under the Emergency Mitigation and Preparedness Division and will play a vital role in Border operations,” the department said in its release.
New hires will be responsible for “handling tasks such as intake, providing support for shelter operations, and conducting medical screening questionnaires,” the county said.
The county says it hopes to fill 19 temporary, full-time positions.
The temp jobs are expected to “conclude in June 2024,” but the health department said they may be extended based on “operational needs and available funding.”
Anyone interested in the positions are “encouraged” to apply online prior to Friday’s job fair. The deadline for submitting applications online is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4.
The department’s job posting includes a description of the positions’ duties, responsibilities and minimum qualifications. Those interested will also find a link to apply on the news release.
