Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Sun-News
By Brook Stockberger
LAS CRUCES – Another dormant commercial location will again be alive with the buzz of Las Cruces workers. Arlington, Va.-based Vangent announced that it plans to hire 120 employees as it takes over the empty location at 1630 Hickory Loop, vacated in 2009 by Frontier Airlines.
Vangent operates call centers, so, if you’re looking for a job, warm up your vocal cords and spruce up your résumé, because the company plans to hold job fairs starting Wednesday next week at the Workforce Connection office, 226 S. Alameda St.
“This is another great opportunity to refill lost jobs,” said Davin Lopez, president and CEO with the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance.
The news comes after the recent announcement that the large Rea Magnet Wire building on the West Mesa Industrial Park had been sold to Alaska Structures, which also has occupied parts of the years’-empty Parkview Metals buildings.
“I’m excited; this is great news for Las Cruces,” said Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima. “I’m so proud of our community and economic development team.”
The job fairs will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday as well as from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
Lopez said a delegation from Las Cruces first met with the company in February in Washington D.C. “They are a third-party contract center that does work for a variety of industries, including the federal government,” Lopez said.
Vangent reports it has been serving clients in the federal government since 1973 and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. The company did not give specifics on the function of its Las Cruces facility, but its website reports that is has worked with the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, the Department of Education, NASA and other clients.
Vangent will hire entry-level customer service representatives, senior representatives, supervisors, quality monitors, operations representatives, workforce management specialists and a trainer. The company offers temporary and full-time employment. It did not disclose wage information, but reports it offers “competitive pay, benefits and flexible schedules.”
For all positions, a high school diploma or GED is required and applicants must pass a typing test of at least 20 words per minute. Everyone who is hired also must pass a security clearance and a pre-employment drug test.
“Our unemployment (rate) is already down and this will help that even more,” Miyagishima said. “I can’t stress enough the teamwork at MVEDA, the city and county and university on (economic development).”
Vangent said it chose Las Cruces “due to a well-educated workforce, an area free from extreme weather and easy access to major metropolitan centers in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. In addition, Vangent has received valuable support from the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and members of their board of directors.”
Brook Stockberger can be reached at (575) 541-5457
