Entergy's Palisades Power Plant in Covert Township is hiring.

It says it needs 64 new workers in the following fields: mechanics, electricians, instrumentation and control technicians, radiation-protection technicians, training instructors, maintenance planners and engineers of various disciplines, from civil engineers to structural engineers.

Mark Savage, communications manager for the plant, said the hiring, which has already started, is a result of an assessment that Entergy officials did as they acquired the nuclear power plant from Consumers Energy on April 11.

They evaluated the operation and determined ``here's what we need to continue to run the plant safely over the next 20 years,'' Savage said.

The company, whose employee roster had shrunk during the past five years, had 530 to 540 people when it changed hands, but hopes to grow to about 600, Savage said.

Entergy Corp. is based in New Orleans. Consumers Energy is the principal subsidiary of Jackson-based CMS Energy Corp.

Those interested in applying for positions should do so online at Entergy's website. Those who want to contact the company's human resources office may do so at (269) 764-2127.

Separately, Wackenhut Corp., the security organization contracted to serve Palisades, is hosting a job fair to satisfy its ongoing needs for personnel, Savage said. The job fair is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 26 at the Michigan Works office in Paw Paw, at 32849 East Red Arrow Highway.

Those applying for work need to be at least 21 years old and have at least a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license.

For more information, contact Wackenhut Security at (269)764-2350 or the Paw Paw Michigan Works office at (269) 655-0095.