Despite competition, opportunities abound for those who know where to look.
By Janet Groene, F47156
February 2016
February 2016
My friends Carole and Jon settled down after four years of full-timing while working at fabulous jobs in North America’s most scenic wilderness areas. When they told me they’d worked steadily but had never used traditional RV employment services, I took a fresh look at the job market.
It’s a new world for full-timers who need employment income. To find a job, it’s no longer necessary to pay a commission, subscribe to costly newsletters, join a club, or limit your search to RV-related businesses. Thousands of travelers, early retirees, and entrepreneurs now seek jobs variously described as seasonal, temporary, flex-time, or work-at-home; some may involve travel or telecommuting. The workplace has responded, providing thousands of these jobs and advertising them on hundreds of new websites.
For full-timers, this means more opportunities in more places more often, but it also means keener competition from a vast universe of job seekers, not just other RVers. Mobility is still a plus, but it may no longer be the most important part of your resume.
Another new trend, volunteerism, also has cut into the profit picture for full-timers. Many of the plum posts at state and national parks are now filled by volunteers who want nothing more than a free campsite and a tax deduction. These days, one must think “job search,” not “free camping.”
As full-timers, Carole and Jon preferred job sites with hookups, but it was their experience as educators (she was a teacher; he was a principal) that allowed them to aim for real jobs as docents, team leaders, coaches, and guides. It’s now possible for full-timers to earn $60 an hour or more by taking advantage of their license, degree, tools, or talents, even if the position is temporary or part-time.
Here are some ways full-timers are finding good jobs:
- X-Business websites typically include a tab labeled Careers, Join Us, Employment, or Jobs. Many companies post their recruitment needs regularly.
- When searching online, consider your specialty. For example, caretaker jobs are an entire industry, ranging from simple house-sitting to tending a 100-acre ranch with livestock or filling in for an apartment building superintendent. So, when searching online for “caretaker jobs,” include your specialty, such as handyman, kennel, dairy, or garden.
- Retail Grocery Inventory Service, or RGIS (www.rgis.com), performs more than 1,400 inventories a day for companies of all types and sizes (not just grocery stores). The work requires energy and mobility. RGIS has more than 200 offices and offers flexible hours and schedules.
- If you seek only temporary or seasonal employment, you might focus on websites for theme parks, summer camps, campgrounds, and marinas. You can search for jobs at Disney properties by visiting www.disneycareers.com. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment owns attractions in several states, including Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, and Sesame Place; go to http://careers.seaworldparks.com. In addition, Herschend Family Entertainment owns or manages many theme parks, adventure parks, water parks, dinner shows, lodgings, and aquariums, including Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, Stone Mountain Park, and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede; visit www.hfecorp.com. By establishing yourself with an employer that has many properties, you may, over time, be able to land a variety of jobs in various locations.
- Don’t overlook retailers and shippers who need extra help at certain times. The CamperForce program of online retailer Amazon offers jobs and paid campsites to RVers who work during the holiday rush; visit http://goo.gl/DEt00l. Seasonal jobs can be offbeat, too, such as sheep shearing or crop dusting. Start four to six months ahead to find a short, seasonal post such as tending a Christmas tree lot or a pumpkin patch. Flower and candy shippers are busiest during holidays, including Valentine’s Day in February and Mother’s Day in May.
- Luxury resort campgrounds may offer only a discount, not a free site, in exchange for some work, but you can negotiate for fees based on the job. And you’ll stay in a prestigious location with resort features such as golf and tennis.
- Most of us have one or more national parks on our bucket lists. Explore National Park Service jobs at www.nps.gov/aboutus/workwithus.htm. However, don’t stop there. Many facilities within the parks are managed by services such as Xanterra Parks and Resorts, which also manages some state park hospitality services. Visit www.xanterra.com. The Xanterra website includes links to individual parks, such as www.yellowstonejobs.com.
- Jobs are available through the U.S. Forest Service, www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/jobs; (877) 372-7248. Many come with a campsite and other perks.
- Some companies employ people who have their own RVs to work security at oil fields, primarily in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. See the application information at sites such as www.guard1services.com, www.swgateguards.com, and www.oilgates.com.
- If you’re looking for a “cool” job, check out www.coolworks.com, a website supported by employers who pay to post ads. It specializes in positions such as ski instructor, dude ranch wrangler, and bicycle tour guide. The site’s “Older and Bolder” section targets retired or semiretired job seekers. Another site that lists cool jobs is www.jobmonkey.com.
- Jobs in almost any field from aviation to zookeeper are listed at www.indeed.com.
- Within the health and teaching fields, salaries are high and premium rates apply for nursing subspecialties or an advanced degree. Search online for “temporary nursing jobs” or “temporary teaching jobs” and dozens of sites pop up.
- If you’re an avid fan of auto racing, fly-ins, football, baseball, or boat shows, search online for the name of an event or site and its vendors or exhibitors. To sell at such events, you must meet the sponsor’s rules, plus local licensing requirements.
Caveats
While researching this column (and thus collecting Web cookies that suggested I’m looking for work), I was phished by people who claimed to offer jobs. They asked for a resume, including my date of birth and Social Security number. Be suspicious of strangers offering jobs. Many sites offer job training, not real jobs.
When you get into serious negotiations, you’ll be asked for personal information that might include your credit rating, fingerprints, and even a background check. However, by then you’ll know as much about the employers as they do about you.
It may be smart to phone first before filling out extensive applications online. Make sure you and the employer are on the same page. For example, many seasonal jobs sound good but are very intense and involve long hours over a short season. Learn as much as possible about the job and who offers it.
Editor’s note:
Since the debut of the “Full-Timer’s Primer” column in the August 1981 issue of Family Motor Coaching, writer Janet Groene has shared insights about full-time motorhoming and related topics. This month marks her final installment of “Full-Timer’s Primer.” We thank Janet for her years of dedication to readers of the column. “Cooking On The Go,” Janet’s other column, will continue to appear in alternating months; look for it next in the March 2016 issue.