CareerSource Pinellas seeks businesses owners and executives for oversight board

The Pinellas County Commission is accepting applications for appointments to serve on the oversight of CareerSource Pinellas, a public jobs agency.

The county prefers that the ideal applicants have an executive or owner-level position with a company in Pinellas County. Individuals appointed to the board will serve one- and two-year volunteer terms. Applications must be received by May 26. Mandatory applications can be completed at www.pinellascounty.org/boards.

Other requirements include a letter of nomination from a local Chamber of Commerce, industry or professional organization. County commissioners will select new members during a public meeting at a later date.

To remain compliant with federal and state laws, the governing board consists of both private- and public-sector representatives. The board is approved to have up to 33 members.

A 2018 Tampa Bay Times’ investigation into CareerSource Pinellas and its then sister agency CareerSource Tampa Bay found widespread abuses where employees were encouraged to create fake Social Security numbers, falsify paperwork and report sham job placements for people they never helped — all in a quest to drive up numbers that made it look like the agencies were exceeding expectations.

Former CEO Edward Peachey oversaw both agencies. Board members placed much of the blame on Peachey. The Times’ investigation triggered a year-long review by by the U.S. Department of Labor.