(Washington, DC) Today will be the first day on the job for 70 local jobless workers who will help clean up and repair damages to public infrastructures--sewers, roads, and parks--following the destruction of Hurricane Isabel.

Mayor Anthony A. Williams was presented with a $1 million Disaster National Emergency Grant by the US Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to create temporary jobs to assist in repair and clean up efforts caused by the hurricane, which left hundreds of thousands of residents without power, countless trees blown down or significantly damaged, serious flooding in low-lying areas, and millions of dollars in destroyed or damaged property.  Although the District of Columbia has struggled to recover from the damage caused by the hurricane, extensive damage was done to the District’s storm sewer system, roadways, parks and recreation facilities.

When the jobs were announced in November, the Department of Employment Services  (DOES) received hundreds of applications from displaced and long-term unemployed District residents for these temporary positions.  After pre-screening over 600 applicants, 79 workers were hired by DOES and will report to jobs at the Departments of Public Works, Transportation, Parks and Recreation, DC Water and Sewer Authority and the Executive Office of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Services.

The Department of Employment Services (DOES) submitted the application for the Disaster National Emergency Grant as provided in Title I of the Workforce Investment Act.  The grant will total $1,061,823 and will be administered by DOES.

For additional information contact the Department of Employment Services at (202) 724-7000.