MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College has scheduled a rare summer job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 29 at the community college’s Masto Conference Center (7611 Bolling St. NE).

“We normally have them during the regular school session, but unemployment will be changing and there are so many job openings,” said Jody Bortz, director of career services at BBCC.

Beginning this week, people receiving unemployment benefits must start looking for work and providing proof of weekly job searches to the state Employment Security Department. Pandemic-related unemployment benefits, however, will continue to be paid in Washington state until Sept. 4.

Because of that, Bortz said some of the unemployed are beginning to think about returning to work.

Bortz also said there are a number of unfilled job openings in Grant and Adams counties, and right now, there are simply not enough interested people to fill all the local job openings.

“We held a virtual job fair in March, and we had 50 employers, more than 1,200 openings,” Bortz said. “Now we just have so many more employers reaching out.”

Bortz said job fair organizers, which also include state agencies WorkSource and SkillSource, were hoping to get at least as many employers registered for July’s job fair.

“More than 50% of our booths are filled,” she said. “We’re sure we’ll fill them all with employers.”

And now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, Bortz said the college is also looking at organizing a job fair this fall, probably late October or early November, when BBCC typically holds its autumn job fair.

For employers interested in participating, or if people are looking for a job, contact Laura Strand at WorkSource, [email protected] or Bortz, [email protected] or 509-793-2069.