MISSION VIEJO : Employment Office Readied for Opening

The filing cabinets and desks were still being carted in this week when the job-seekers came knocking on the doors of South County’s first unemployment office.

Several days before the state Employment Development Department office officially opens on Tuesday, people began trickling into the office looking for work and to file unemployment claims.

“One woman had read about our opening and said she couldn’t wait to come down and look for a job,” said JoAnn McGuire, manager of the Mission Viejo office. “That tells me we’re needed.”

Previously, South County residents had to travel to the EDD’s Santa Ana office to file a claim--a distance of up to 30 miles for some. The new office will serve an area between Irvine and San Clemente.

Which is why, McGuire said, even though people were temporarily turned away, last week’s would-be applicants left with smiles on their faces.

“Santa Ana is a long way for some of these people,” she said. “They seemed very happy that we’re here.”

The office is at 23456 Madero, Suite 150, in the High Park office complex off Alicia Parkway between Jeronimo and Trabuco roads. The doors will open at 8 a.m. and there will be an official ribbon-cutting at noon.

In the next few months, EDD officials said, the office will hold an open house to show the public the kinds of job programs available throughout the state. Featured services in the Mission Viejo office will include “Job Match,” a computerized job location program that can hook up applicants with jobs throughout the country. Also available will be the Professional Job Club for those with managerial and technical skills.

McGuire said she has no idea how many people will turn out for the opening. However, she said the Mission Viejo office will begin handling about 16,000 claims that are being transferred from other EDD locations in the county.

McGuire said her staff of 21 is prepared to handle the load.

“We have desks now and computers on the desks,” she said. “This place is looking better and better. It looks like we’ll be on target for Tuesday.”