Actually, when Deacon first came on the show he owned and managed a bar, that's where Rick found him (to stop CJ and Amber's wedding) and that's where he and Bridget met. A year or so later, Brooke hired him as Head of Promotions at Forrester and later he worked with Amber and Jackie. I think he was also the manager of Amber's twin who was a singer (don't ask).
For most of his first run on the show, Deacon always had some sort of job so I don't know why they don't give him something to do.