Sheriff’s Office Career Fair Draws Hundreds as Hiring Push Continues

Hundreds of prospective recruits turned out Wednesday for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Career Fair in Yaphank, as the department prepares for another major round of hiring.

Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. said organizers expected between 200 and 250 people at the event, roughly matching the 200 who attended last year.

The department has already filled 35 positions from last year’s correction officer test list and expects to hire another 72 officers this year, Toulon said. Another 72 openings are anticipated next year.

“It’s a great career offering stability, benefits and an opportunity to serve your community,” said Louis Viscusi, president of the Suffolk County Correction Officers Association, who has been with the department for more than 20 years. “We have a sense of pride.”

The career fair gave potential applicants an opportunity to learn about jobs throughout the Sheriff’s Office, including corrections K-9, emergency services, intelligence, internal security, rehabilitation, community relations and the agency’s anti-trafficking initiative.

For Harley Hoffman, an emergency medical technician from Port Jefferson, the attraction is public service.

“It’s always been a dream of mine since I was younger to help my community, help people better themselves,” Hoffman said. “People should be given the opportunity to go out and better themselves, become something.”

Khamis Smith traveled from Central Islip with similar ambitions — and a particular interest in working with dogs.

“I want to help out, give back,” Smith said, adding that he hopes eventually to work in the canine unit.

Toulon said about 1,500 applicants took last year’s correction officer examination. Applications for the upcoming Correction Officer I exam are being accepted through Oct. 16, with the test scheduled for Oct. 25.

The examination costs $125, Toulon noted, although the fee can be waived for eligible EMTs, firefighters, veterans and low-income applicants.

For the Sheriff’s Office, the fair is both a recruitment drive and an opportunity to show applicants the variety of careers available behind the badge.