Harry Oliver

We Make Florida Happen: Celebrating AFSCME Workers and the Vital Services We Provide To The Public

Resident: Fort Walton Beach
Title: Employment Services Specialist
Agency: Economic Opportunity
Department: CSON / LWDB2
Start date: 2018

Harry's story: "I served my country in the United States Air Force and wanted to continue my career in public service. I worked other jobs, but wanted to do something that had an impact on people so I started with the state.

I provide job assistance to help unemployed residents build their skills. I teach classes to help them build the skills necessary to find and maintain employment. I assist people by teaching resume classes, Employflorida Classes and Interview skills classes.

We see people at their lowest and see the impact on their lives that we helped them with. I get job satisfaction from the feeling that what I do matters. People recognize me in restaurants, at the supermarket, and other places around the city and they remember the assistance that we provided during their job searches or helping them complete the application for Reemployment Assistance, that they would not have been able to complete alone. It is a great feeling.

Unfortunately, our staff is plauged by low pay leading to high turnover. We need a fair contract to help improve working conditions."