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LATHAM, N.Y. - New York National Guard members looking for jobs on the National Guard's "Job Zone" web page (http://dmna.ny.gov/jobs/) can now use their iPhones®, iPods®, and iPads® and Android® smart phones to find employers with jobs to offer citizen soldiers and airmen.
Newly launched Apple smart phone and Android Apps, created by a National Guard officer in his spare time, allow New York's part-time military members to search for jobs anytime or anyplace.
"Our young tech-savvy Guard soldiers and airmen use their smartphones and tablets to stay connected to the world and each other. In order to reach them with information on employment opportunities we need to use the technology they use all the time," said Major General Patrick Murphy, the adjutant general of New York.
The new applications, available as a free Apple download from iTunes, or Android download from Google play, allow the user to connect to the job postings the Division of Military and Naval Affairs maintains on its website. The website lists jobs offered by civilian employers who want to hire members of the state's part-time military, as well as National Guard military and civilian jobs.
The New York Job Zone web page was created in November 2011 as part of the Guard's efforts to ensure that Guard members returning from overseas deployments, or serving here at home as Traditional Citizen Soldiers and Airmen, have good well-paying jobs.
"When our soldiers and airmen have good civilian jobs, with employers who support their service, it is good for the National Guard, and good for New York, because it strengthens their bond with their communities and their neighbors. It is also good for the employers because they get motivated, disciplined, drug-free employees," Murphy said.
Both Android and Apple National Guard Job Zone Apps connect the user with the database of jobs maintained by the New York National Guard Family Programs Office. When the database is updated the information available to the App user updates automatically.
Currently there are more than 160 civilian job openings being advertised on the Job Zone web page.
The unemployment rate for New York's National Guard members is about 10 percent, according to recent surveys of members from the National Guard Bureau.
The New York National Guard Job Zone App was created by Army National Guard Capt, Alexander Prezioso, the Assistant Personnel Officer for the 53rd Troop Command at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill. Prezioso, who builds websites and computer programs for fun in his spare time, took on the Job Zone App as part-time project in February.
He taught himself to create smartphone Apps by watching YouTube videos, reading, and fooling around with the systems. It took a lot of nights and weekends but it was worth it, Prezioso said.
As the personnel officer for the 4,000 soldiers of the 53rd Troop Command it's his job to help troops, Prezioso said. Doing this-- creating a smartphone App that helps Soldiers find jobs--is just another way to do that.
"When it comes down to it, it's all about taking care of our service members and their families," Prezioso said.
Along with maintaining the job site, the New York National Guard Family Programs Office hosts regular job-training seminars for Soldiers leaving active military duty or Guard members returning from deployments, hosts and participates in the US Chamber of Commerce Hire Our Heroes job fairs, and partners with the New York State Department of Labor to help Guard members locate employment.
Legislation signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in July 2012 mandates that the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs also maintain links on their website which help veterans find jobs. The governor also implemented measures which allow Guardsmen and Reservists and veterans who have military experience operating heavy vehicles to waive the road test when they apply for a commercial driver's license. This saves veterans and currently serving Guard members and Reservists time and money.
Additionally, Gov. Cuomo directed the creation of the New York State Council on Returning Veterans and Their Families to explore other ways in which New York state agencies can further recognize and credit military training and experience, especially in licensure and educational credit programs.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2013 07:09 |
| Story ID: | 110297 |
| Location: | LATHAM, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 197 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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