SEATTLE — Americans are facing layoffs and unemployment in mass numbers — and Washington workers have been hit hard. It's a stressful and growing consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Washington Unemployment Security Department (which is among those hiring) has an unprecedented number of new requests for assistance.
Essential services allowed to continue are those most likely to seek additional employees during the coronavirus pandemic due to increased demand. Those include but are not limited to healthcare workers, grocery services, and marijuana growers and stores.
Here is a growing list of job leads in the Pacific Northwest:
7-Eleven
The mini-mart giant is hiring 20,000 new workers nationwide to accommodate the increased demand at stores in recent weeks.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Yes
ABM
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Yes
Amazon
Amazon announced changes to its supply chain amidst a sharp increase in online orders. Shipping on non-essential items will be prioritized lower than items like food and cleaning supplies and the company is currently in the process of hiring an additional 75,000 delivery drivers, warehouse workers and grocery shoppers. The company has brought on 100,000 new employees in the past month, but demand has proved to be greater for the company and even more employees are needed.
- AVERAGE PAY: $17/hour (through April)
- BENEFITS: Yes
Budtender, and other cannabis-related positions
Marijuana is classified as essential service under both agriculture and food, and behind the counter jobs are beginning to pop up in the Seattle area. Most shops are small businesses and can only hire a few employees. Because these positions are constantly changing, anyone seeking employment in this sector should search the appropriate job and employment portals.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Variable
CVS Pharmacies and Bartell Drugs
CVS Pharmacies announced that it is hiring 50,000 employees nationwide in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Jobs include pharmacy technicians, retail store associates, registered nurses and store management positions.
Locally owned Bartell Drugs also has more than 100 positions all in the Seattle area listed on its careers website.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable, in Seattle at least $15/hour
- BENEFITS? Yes
Department of Social and Health Services, Western State Hospital
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable.
- BENEFITS? Yes
Direct Interactions Inc.
Direct Interactions Inc. is hiring 250 at home customer service representatives. This company deals with disaster response and city government.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable, both paid and volunteer positions available.
- BENEFITS? Variable.
Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree is hiring 25,000 employees to support its stores and warehouses during the coronavirus pandemic.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Yes
Domino's Pizza
According to CNBC, Domino's Pizza is hiring 100,000 workers in response to coronavirus. Jobs include delivery drivers and restaurant managers.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Yes
Food delivery
Along with the increase in online shopping and restaurant take-out is the need for delivery drivers to bring goods to customers. Many of these services now offer no contact deliveries to comply with social distancing measures. Food delivery services like DoorDash are hiring contractors to pick up and deliver food. Other services include Postmates, UberEats, and GrubHub.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable, in Seattle at least $15/hour
- BENEFITS: Yes
Franz Bakery
Franz bakery is hiring 25 local employees in positions including: Bakery staff, Shipping Coordinators, Drivers, and more.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Yes
HCR ManorCare
HCR ManorCare is hiring non-Nursing and Nursing staff for nursing locations in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Lacey, and Lynnwood.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Variable
Kroger (QFC and Fred Meyer)
The corporation behind QFC and Fred Meyer is hiring 20,000 positions, many at locations around Washington.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Yes
Imperfect Foods
Imperfect foods is hiring operations associates and delivery drivers in Seattle to keep up with covid-19 demand.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Yes
MBMAG Group
MBMAG group is hiring 20 people immediately to accommodate extended open enrollment for healthcare/medicare.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Variable
Orca Bay Foods
Orca Bay Foods is hiring 50 employees in the positions of: Processors, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Quality Control Technicians, Sawyers, Warehouse Material Handlers, and Sanitation.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Variable
Northwest Security
Northwest Security Services is currently seeking officers in and out of the Seattle area.
"We license and train them through our company and always take on folks that are looking to break into the world of security or are aspiring to be police officers," Human resources manager Shanon Bossi said in an email to KING 5. "Plus, we have advancement opportunities and promote extensively from within - All the managers are either current officers or started as security officers."
- AVERAGE PAY: Starting Salary $14.25 outside Seattle, $16.00 in Seattle
- BENEFITS: Yes
Paula's Choice Skincare
Paula's Choice Skincare is hiring 15 employees for a variety of positions in the Seattle area.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable, in Seattle at least $15/hour
- BENEFITS: Yes
Safeway and Albertson's
Safeway and Albertson's are hiring stockers, clerks, and more in-store positions due to increased demand.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable, in Seattle at least $15/hour
- BENEFITS: Yes
Skyline Mail Carriers
- AVERAGE PAY: $22 - $27 per hour
- BENEFITS: Yes
Uwajimaya and PCC
Locally owned Uwajimaya has about 40 positions listed at its stores through the Pacific Northwest. PCC also has many positions posted, and has been planning to open a new Central District location later this year.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Yes
Washington State Employment Security Department
As unemployment claims have drastically increased in Washington, so too does the need for people to handle those claims.
The Washington State Employment Security Department announced that it is hiring 60 unemployment specialists and customer service representatives to help with the influx of people applying for unemployment benefits.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable, from $34,000 - $58,000 a year
- BENEFITS: Yes
Walmart
Walmart is hiring 150,000 new associates throughout the country through May on a temporary basis. Employees will also receive bonuses and the possibility to stay on log term if demand persists.
- AVERAGE PAY: Variable
- BENEFITS: Yes
Whole Foods
- AVERAGE PAY: $15/hour + $2/hour bonus through May
- BENEFITS: Yes
Volunteer
There are plenty of opportunities to keep yourself occupied during the pandemic both in person and virtually.
Check in with your local organizations for more details.
- AVERAGE PAY: none.
- BENEFITS: A chance to help others.
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