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Transcript

Valerie Fuller (intro):

You’re tuned in to the Clayton Connected podcast in Clayton County where the world lands and opportunities take off.

Valerie:

Welcome to the Clayton Connected podcast studio. In the studio today with me is Mr. Ryan Shaw. He is the Human Resources Officer for the Clayton County Human Resources Office.

Ryan Shaw:

Thank you. Thank you.

Valerie:

We also have Mr. Malcolm Johnson. He is Program Coordinator for the Office of Youth Services. Welcome to the Clayton Connected podcast. Thank you so much for joining me today. We are here to talk about the 2026 Clayton County Career Fair that is taking place on October 13th. Mr. Ryan, where are we hosting this year’s Career Fair?

Ryan:

Well, this year the Career Fair will be located at the Mount Zion Baptist Church located on 7102 Mount Zion Boulevard in Jonesboro, Georgia.

Valerie:

So, this is your number?

Ryan:

This is the fifth. This is the fifth Clayton County Career Fair that we’ve held.

Valerie:

And we are so excited to be ready for October 13th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to host this Career Fair again. Why is this Career Fair necessary?

Ryan:

Well, we have over a hundred different positions part-time and full-time that we’re trying to fill them. Trying to fill them with the most qualified people. Not only this, this is important because it gives applicants the opportunity to actually touch bases and meet members of the department, hiring managers within the department who actually made the decisions, put a face to a name, and also allow themselves to market themselves to the actual people who are going to be interviewing and hiring them.

Valerie:

So, let me tell you people, our Clayton Connected Career Fair is no joke, okay? How many positions do we currently have open approximately?

Ryan:

We have roughly a hundred and forty positions available.

Valerie:

So roughly a hundred and forty positions available. And what we’re asking people to do is to come in, show up with your resume, professionally dressed.

Ryan:

Yes.

Valerie:

To talk to the hiring managers and or department heads of 20-plus departments across Clayton County government sector, correct?

Ryan:

Absolutely, yes.

Valerie:

And so tell us about a day in the life of a person who’s coming to the Career Fair and what they can expect.

Ryan:

Well, when they come in, you’ll see a number of different departments that are available.

You’ll come to the Human Resources Department. In Human Resources we want you to drop off your resume with us and I’ll tell you about that in a few. From there they’ll go from various department to department speaking to people, people within the field that they’re interested in. And when they speak to somebody if they find a position within that particular department or any department that they’re interested in, we also have an in-house computer lab that will be available for them.

Valerie:

On-site?

Ryan:

On-site.

Valerie:

So, you can walk in, talk to the hiring managers and or departments that you’re interested in for those positions and go straight over and apply for the job?

Ryan:

Right then and there.

Valerie:

Absolutely wonderful. Then what?

Ryan:

And from there what they would need to do after they apply, we have had people get hired on the spot but it’s not out the realm of possibility that they would need to wait until they get a phone call. But we don’t want them to wait. We want them to be proactive. After a participant of our Career Fair has applied, we want them to call us at Human Resources and that number is 770-473-5801 to let us know that they have applied. Once we know that, we are going to be proactive. We’re going to review the application and if it meets the minimum requirements, we are going to contact the hiring managers of up to five different departments to let them know that this applicant has applied, they took the initiative to actually come to the Career Fair and they want to be part of our Clayton County family. That is monumental. We receive at Clayton County over a thousand applications on a monthly basis. So, anything that could get exposure to a particular application, I think the better. And that’s something that I wanted to implement because of the history that I had with Career Fairs. 2008, I graduated college. I stumped the payment. I went on Career Fairs and every time I went to a Career Fair, all I was told is go home and apply online. And I would wonder why did I travel 25 miles, 30 miles to go to a Career Fair just to get told that?

Valerie:

Yeah.

Ryan:

With our Career Fair, everybody gets contacted.

Valerie:

Say that again.

Ryan:

With our Career Fair, everybody gets contacted.

Valerie:

Everybody that attends that Career Fair will be contacted.

Ryan:

Yes.

Valerie:

Awesome. That’s awesome. Clayton County is doing it a little bit different.

Ryan:

Yes.

Valerie:

So, 770-473-5801.

Ryan:

Yes.

Valerie:

For those people who cannot make it to the Career Fair, what do you recommend they do?

Ryan:

Still, use that number. If you’re not able to make it to the Career Fair, we understand. Life happens. But we still will provide that same courtesy. But being that we are one of the Human Resources departments that leaves the door open for you, we do require you to actually walk through that door. So, anybody who applies, call that number. And that number will lead you to an actual live human being, not a press one leave a message and you never hear from them. Call that number. Let us know and we will provide you with the same courtesy because we really want the best people here and we’re going to do all we can to make certain that you get that exposure. You are able to show that you want to be here and that you want to be here for Clayton County so you have that opportunity.

Valerie:

And as a hiring manager and department head myself, I can definitely vouch for the fact that if there is a applicant who has met the qualifications, love the fact that Human Resources has vetted the application already and sent to me as a hiring manager or department head a prospective candidate that I may want to look at or may want to reach out to actually hire for a position or interview. So, thank you for your steadfastness in that. Thank the entire Office of Human Resources and the entire team and Ms. Pamela Ambles, who’s director also for working so hard to make this career fair happen. Ryan, you make it very easy for us to be able to do this too. So, thank you for working with the Office of Communications and making sure we get the word out to our residents, our visitors, people across the world; www.claytoncountyga.gov. We’re looking for you.

Ryan:

Yes, yes.

Valerie:

So, what positions do you see in which department that may have the greatest needs?

Ryan:

Well, our T&D department, engineers, people who are civil engineers and various types of engineers. We really want to hire those. But of course, there’s opportunities here for all different types of departments regardless of what field you’re in. The financial field, the law enforcement, the legal field, attorneys, as well as people who are into information technology, computer science. There is a place for any and everybody here with the Clayton County Board of Commissioners.

Valerie:

Yes, building and maintenance, communications, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners itself, internships.

Ryan:

Oh yes.

Valerie:

Absolutely. So www.claytoncountyga.gov. Access the Human Resources link and tap career and look for a position that you may be interested in.

Ryan:

Absolutely.

Valerie:

So, in the studio with us also again I told you earlier we have Mr. Malcolm Johnson. He is the Program Coordinator for the Office of Youth Services. So, we want to welcome him again.

Malcolm Johnson:

Thank you.

Valerie:

We want you to share your story, your experience because Malcolm was actually hired as a result of attending the last career fair and he actually was hired for the position of Program Coordinator. Tell us Malcolm about your experience from beginning to end. What was it like? How did you come across this career fair?

Malcolm:

So funny enough I was actually looking, I was looking for a job and I was doing something random going through my email and looking through my spam folder and it just so happened that I seen about a career fair with Clayton County and so randomly I just said okay this is nice. I was like I’ll go. So I went, had my suit, got my resume, I printed off.

I was so nervous. I’ve been to like a couple of other ones, a couple of other career fairs but I was just so nervous because I really did want to come back and work in Clayton County. I grew up in Clayton County. I grew up right next to Carl Rodenizer, the neighborhood right next to Carl Rodenizer Recreation Center and I just, I love Clayton County and so I definitely wanted to come back. So, you know it meant a lot and when I seen the flyer randomly in my spam folder because when I first seen it, came across it, I was just thinking like is this real? Like it was in my spam folder but I was like I’ll try it. So I got my suit. I printed out like maybe nine or ten resumes and I came to the career fair. I remember being so nervous, but it was such a seamless process. I remember when I got there, they gave me a packet of all of the jobs that were hiring and the ones that were there. So, I was able to go through with like highlight different jobs and then even ones that I didn’t really see first look through. I remember I was able to write down some things too and I remember too right before I got up to go talk to the different tables, they gave us time to kind of look through some stuff. So, I was able to like kind of get an idea of what I beforehand.

Valerie:

Different positions that may be available that may interest you directly. Okay.

Malcolm:

Exactly and I remember I just went through talk to different departments and things like that and then after and after I left there, I did get the opportunity I could have applied there. I remember seeing that but I just went back home and then I went to the Clayton County website and applied there and then after that happened about a couple days almost a week later, I remember I got a call from the Office of Youth Services from Ms. Ciara Dunn and then after that I came in for my first interview and then when I did my first interview it really went well. I felt like I just fit right in and met my family essentially and I remember I emailed afterwards and said thank you for, I emailed Ms. Ciara and I emailed and told her thank you for having me, thank you for interviewing me, thank you for giving me this opportunity just to come and interview and things like that, keeping it real professional and I remember right after that is when I got a call to come back and do a second interview and then when I came and did the second interview I think later that day that same day is when I got the email that I got hired and then maybe a week after that, or no it was like two three weeks after that, right before Thanksgiving is when I had my first day here. I work with the Clayton County Youth Commissioners as a youth commissioners as a wit. I have to give them a shout out. I love them so much. They’re a group of high schoolers that are making a real change in Clayton County for the youth and they are amazing.

Valerie:

They are so smart and they are so full of energy. I just need just an ounce of that. So, tell us what you do as program coordinator?

Malcolm:

So as program coordinator I oversee a few different programs that we have with the Office of Youth Services. One mainly being the one we just spoke about with the Clayton County Youth Commission who serve as a junior board to the Board of Commissioners and kind of have a seat at the table when it comes to different things facing youth in Clayton County. It’s a group of 30 high school students and they do different programs that I oversee; they kind of create their own programs. So, the youth commissioners are split into three different committees. We have legislative and social justice. We have education and health and wellness.

Valerie:

Well, we are delighted to have Malcolm as our program coordinator in the Office of Youth Services. Of course, we’re ecstatic that we have Mr. Ryan Shaw who is the human resources officer in the human resources department. Thank you, Malcolm, for sharing that story because so many people are nervous when it comes to job interviews, when it comes to just, you know, is their resume gonna make the cut. You know when you come to this career fair Clayton County is doing a little different. You will talk to someone who will listen to you and who will be open to helping you find the right spot here in Clayton County. Ryan, what is it that participants in the career fair would need to bring with them?

Ryan:

Well, they need to bring their best selves. We want you to come in professional attire and even if you don’t have a suit and tie, business casual. Please bring your resumes and cover letters. Also, we would encourage you to look at the vacancies that we currently have before coming. That can help you navigate the whole course.

Valerie:

Right.

Ryan:

So, if you know you wanted to go to IT you can go straight to them but we do want you to explore the options because there’s transferable skills that you can use in various other fields.

Valerie:

Absolutely.

Ryan:

And you never know you might find something else that you’re interested in. So be prepared to walk around. Be prepared to meet and greet. Be prepared to apply because we do have that station there. The computer station where you can apply right there but our website it is online. You can apply from your mobile phone if you would like and be prepared to meet a great bunch of people that hopefully will become part of your family.

Valerie:

Now we can’t go without talking about beyond the career fair, right? Beyond getting the phone call back in reference to interviews. Ryan, we have benefits.

Ryan:

Yes.

Valerie:

Tell them about the benefits.

Ryan:

Oh, we have a variety of benefits. The benefits are amazing here at Clayton County Board of Commissioners.

Valerie:

Yes.

Ryan:

You have your paid vacation, paid sick leave, you have retirement, a pension for the rest of your life.

Valerie:

A what?

Ryan:

A pension for the rest of your life.

Valerie:

Not a 401k but a what?

Ryan:

A pension.

Valerie:

A pension.

Ryan:

Yes, and it’s interesting you said the 401k. We have the government equivalent of a 457 where you can do investments.

Valerie:

Absolutely.

Ryan:

And expound upon your money. You can collect revenue sources here. You have access to our recreational facilities for the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, Parks and Recreation departments.

Valerie:

Yes.

Ryan:

That you can use for the low cost of free 99. Various discounts to restaurants, to events, to different places not just in Georgia, not just in Clayton County but all over the United States of America. You have the ability to take advantage of something that I took advantage of which is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Valerie:

I want to run right now. I just want to shout.

Ryan:

Yes. You pay on your student loans if you have them for 10 years and the rest of that balance is taken away. 2024 is when I got my letter saying over $40,000 worth of debt, gone. Due to my employer here as a public service with the Clayton County BOC.

Valerie:

I resemble that statement, Ryan. I have to share too that when I got that letter I think I framed it. I know I took pictures of it because I wanted proof. But Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a real thing. 10 years of payments and I’ve worked in the government sector but I’ve also worked for Muskogee County School District as well as Clayton County Public Schools as well as the City of Atlanta. Had enough time in one of the organizations to write it off all together in reference to public service. But all those years count is what I’m saying.

Those years add up. You only needed the 10. However, I had more than 10 and that time really paid off because I too, benefited from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program by way of being a public servant. So, I love helping community, love helping kids, and by way of being a public servant my student loans were also forgiven. So absolute wonderful quality of life benefits here in Clayton County.

Ryan:

Yes.

Valerie:

Free access as an employee to the recreation centers. Not just the one where you live but the centers. You have an opportunity to try them all. You know, a full-fledged gym, you know to be able to work out. Pools to actually swim in.

Ryan:

Yes.

Valerie:

You know all kinds of different activities and events to partake in and to participate. So really big on the quality of life and overall wellness piece is really stressed for all of the employees throughout Clayton County. So not just a career but benefits on top of benefits on top of benefits. So, claytoncountyGA.gov is the website. You want to click on human resources and you will see the career tab but you also have an access through the home page also. And of course, that number again Ryan.

Ryan:

770-473-5801.

Valerie:

Thank you, Mr. Shaw, for being in the Clayton Connected podcast studio today. Mr. Malcolm Johnson program coordinator for Office of Youth Services. Thank you for sharing your story and we hope that someone out there, many of you out there that are listening to the Clayton Connected podcast, will actually participate in the 2026 Clayton Connected career fair and find your career with your Clayton Connected family here. I’m Valerie Fuller Communications Administrator saying thank you guys and we’ll see you back here on the Clayton Connected podcast.

Valerie (outro):

I’m your hostess Valerie Fuller. Thank you for listening to the Clayton Connected podcast in Clayton County Georgia where the world lands and opportunities take off.