It started out as a job fair for Virginia Department of Transportation employees who will be displaced when the city takes over state road maintenance in July 2006.

But the “Discover Suffolk Opportunity Fair,” slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 28 at the National Guard Armory, has evolved into a public job fair, said Dennis Craff, the city’s communications director.

“All city departments will be represented,” said Craff. “This is a good chance for people to see what we have to offer.”

Anyone interested in employment is welcome to bring a resume and apply on-site.

The city will be hiring several dozen people to beef up the public works department, which will oversee the road maintenance.

Current VDOT employees will not be given preferential treatment for the road maintenance positions, but with the city looking for the most qualified employees, their job experience will be an obvious benefit, Craff said.