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Labor Market Information Center SD DEPARTMENT OF LABOR |
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LMIC Home South Dakota Home Department of Labor Home Search Feedback Contact Us |
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Labor Market Information Center SD DEPARTMENT OF LABOR |
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LMIC Home South Dakota Home Department of Labor Home Search Feedback Contact Us |
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| Local Perspective on Summer Jobs | ||
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This article was published in the April 2007 South Dakota Labor Bulletin. We asked the managers of area South Dakota Career Centers (SDCC) about the types of summer jobs youth in their areas have obtained and some of the openings still available. Openings for many of these opportunities listed below are actually filled during the winter months. SDCC managers strongly encourage youth seeking summer jobs to begin job seeking as early as possible, because many summer positions are filled as soon as January or February. Click here for more information on the programs and services provided by the SDCCs, including contact information.
Aberdeen SDCC
The market for summer employment in
the Aberdeen area this year looks extremely strong. There will be job openings
ranging from factory to food service positions. Retail businesses are hiring
cashiers and stockers to work in green houses, cover permanent employees’ summer
vacations and to perform other outdoor work. Construction companies hire many
summer laborers to assist in their construction projects each summer. The
Aberdeen City Parks Department relies heavily on youth for positions at the new
Aquatic Center and swimming pool, Wylie Park and camp ground, golf course, parks
and other jobs such as youth coaches and instructors for various classes.
Restaurants and fast food businesses also rely heavily on summer help to cover
their employment needs. Companies making motel reservations hire a large number
of summer employees. Many farmers look for additional summer help each year as
well.
Brookings SDCC The job outlook for Brookings youth will remain similar to last year, with the City of Brookings offering jobs through the street department, Parks and Recreation, golf course, swimming pool and cable locators for the fiber project, all in all about 50 openings. The State of South Dakota will have openings at the state parks. We also have a number of manufacturers and construction companies that will have summer openings, probably around 50-75 openings. There are always openings in the food service sector. We also have a special railroad project which will employ around 20-25 civil engineering students. According to Mr. Kjenstad, “It should be a good summer around Brookings for summer employment opportunities for youth.”
Huron SDCC The cities of Miller and Huron have several openings for summer recreation and maintenance positions. The 2007 State Fair will be held from Thursday, August 30 to Labor Day, September 3. The various department superintendents hire returning workers first, then if there are still job openings, the public can apply. Because workers have to arrange for their own lodging for that week, they must plan well in advance. Jobs with the State Fair lasting throughout the summer include data entry clerks and crew leaders. Other traditional summer jobs in the area usually include truck drivers, agriculture fertilizer applicators, weed sprayers and tree planters.
Madison SDCC There are a number of summer or seasonal job openings for 2007 in the Madison area. Persona would like to hire 14 part-time summer workers to assist in sign production. East River Electric has two transmission utility assistant and two temporary apprentice lineman positions open. Dan and Jerry's and Anderson's Nursery have nursery worker jobs open. Truck drivers are also needed at Dan and Jerry's. The Department of Transportation needs field transportation aides in Madison, Salem and Flandreau. The City of Madison will be hiring for summer recreation and park maintenance jobs. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has their usual openings at Lake Herman State Park. Those jobs include campground attendants, campground supervisors, a naturalist/program coordinator, and parks and grounds maintenance workers. The Madison Golf and Country Club would like to hire bartenders, cooks, and wait staff. Camp Lakodia needs camp counselors. Elm Locating will be hiring for seasonal utility locators for this area. Construction laborer positions are anticipated as we approach the warm weather season.
Mitchell SDCC Summer opportunities in the Mitchell/Chamberlain will likely remain typical of past years. Service and retail job openings will be most prevalent to meet tourism demands. Construction or outdoor labor positions will also be available for college students (over 18 years of age). It appears the manufacturing fields may have limited summer employment needs, as training time can be quite extensive. Several companies that have hired students in past years have several returning again this year, reducing needs for new workers. If students are not overly ’selective’, employment opportunities should be available. It is highly recommended the search begin early. Jeanne advises a very complete application written neatly can mean all the difference between employment and remaining unemployed.
Mobridge SDCC The state Department of Transportation (DOT) in Mobridge hires three or four summer employees. Applications for those positions are taken at the DOT location. Some of the cities in our area with swimming pools will hire summer help to operate the pools. Mobridge hires anywhere from seven to ten employees for the summer positions at their swimming pool. The smaller cities in the area normally have a few jobs at their local retail businesses. We encourage those who are interested in those areas to contact the business places of interest directly. Mobridge has a number of retail businesses that will extend their employee base during the summer. A few of them will list these positions with us; however, we again encourage those who have an interest in a certain retail business to contact the business directly.
NE Area SDCC
(Watertown-Sisseton-Milbank) Summer employment opportunities in the Northeast area include road construction, tourism/hospitality positions and production work. Various city, county and state departments all need workers for summer programs and projects. These include park workers; lifeguards and pool attendants; baseball, softball and other sports coaches; utilities helpers; and maintenance workers. Many of these positions have application dates starting as early as December. Opportunities will exist in the hospitality industry, with hotels/motels needing extra help in housekeeping, the zoo needing concession workers, and the art center needing workers for the gift shop. Manufacturers haven’t listed any summer openings at this time, but generally have a few openings to cover vacations and increased production. Most people who want summer employment in Northeast South Dakota should have little problem finding work. They do need to get an early start applying, and they can’t limit their availability too much. Students with camps, vacations and sports schedules often have a more difficult time securing employment that meets their needs. Most construction and production jobs are limited to workers age 18 or older. People under that age are often limited to retail or food service industries.
Pierre SDCC City Parks and Recreation (Pierre and Ft. Pierre) hire young people to do the following: grounds keeping, maintenance, life guarding, and summer camp instructing/activities assisting. The YMCA also hires lifeguards and summer camp helpers. The State of South Dakota hires interns for positions in numerous departments. In addition, they hire summer seasonal help for state agencies (DOT and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks). There are always a number of seasonal construction jobs open, some temporary and some can be full time if the individual wishes to travel with the crews to other projects.
Pine Ridge Satellite Office There is no real change for the summer employment outlook. It should be noted that summer youth is handled by the Oglala Sioux Tribe through the Workforce Investment Act Program. Tribal Employment Rights Organization (TERO) continues to operate; those looking for construction work go there to find work.
Rapid City SDCC Youth ages 16 to 18 should have the same opportunities as last year for employment. As the Rapid City area is very seasonal in its employment of youth, many of the same types of jobs will be available, primarily in the tourism, service and food industries. A few retail related jobs come open on a seasonal basis, but those would be more the exception rather than the rule. If students are willing to go outside of Rapid City, there is greater opportunity for employment, as employers have some difficulty finding older workers to travel for seasonal positions, so they hire 16 to 18-year-olds. Students who have worked for seasonal employers in previous years will often have a leg up on being re-hired by the same employer. The job market is still tight enough students cannot be too selective about the type of work they are willing to take. Students need to be looking early to find the best jobs/opportunities for the type of employment they are willing to do. Many of the seasonal employers utilize foreign workers, which impacts the number of summer job opportunities for youth. Starting early is the key to finding employment, and being persistent is critical to demonstrating interest in working for the employer. Many students are involved in summer sports, various events or family vacations. Employer flexibility to work around these events is so varied. It may be another reason many employers have turned to alien employment, as they are willing to work when the employer needs them and the employer does not need to work around these employees’ schedules. Attitude and being publicly presentable (i.e. no facial piercings, visible tattoos and appropriate attire at the interview) are absolute musts for getting hired.
Sioux Falls SDCC
Private Employers Public Employers The State of South Dakota (www.state.sd.us/jobs) normally accepts applications in February and March for summer jobs including Executive Intern positions. These openings are limited to students with the minimumoophomore standing at a college or technical school). The State also hires seasonal positions for various agencies such as DOT, Game, Fish & Parks, Tourism, etc. Minnehaha County (www.minnehahacounty.org) does their hiring for the summer in late spring. Minnehaha County listed an opening for a museum intern which is open to college students with a history or related major. The City of Sioux Falls (www.siouxfalls.org) accepts applications for summer jobs beginning in March. The Park and Recreation Department has openings for approximately 200 positions in park maintenance, lifeguards, playground supervisors, pool cashiers, pool managers, skate park supervisors, open gym supervisors, league supervisors and youth band staff. Sioux Falls School District (www.sf.k12.sd.us) has a few summer positions available, such as summer school teachers and educational assistants, child nutritional staff, summer custodians, child activity helpers for the Kids, Inc program and summer clerical.
Southern Hills Satellite Office The entire Southern Hills area is gearing up for a good tourist season. There will be a need for many workers in the service industry, such as restaurant workers, motel workers and retail clerks. Specifically, cooks will be in short supply. There is a new motel under construction in Hot Springs. Many of the establishments are opening earlier in the season and remaining open later into the fall season. There will be the need for the traditional employees at such institutions as Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mammoth Site and Evans Plunge. The Southern Hills area is experiencing growth in the housing market. There is a need for knowledgeable carpenters and other trade workers. Work will continue on the Heartland Express and several smaller construction projects. These positions require workers to be at least 18. Several call centers will be employing additional personnel over the summer. We are always in need of medical personnel, including certified nurse aides and various technicians and technologists. These positions will be year-round. Increased tourist visitation always increases the need for medical care in the area, particularly in July and August. We encourage those individuals seeking seasonal employment opportunities in the Southern Hills to visit our site online or visit our office.
Northern Hills SDCC
This year we will have the usual
openings for motel/hotel cleaners and server/wait staff throughout the hills
region. We have one opening now with Tatanka – Story of the Bison.
Vermillion SDCC We currently have these listings with the South Dakota Department of Natural Resources for seasonal summer jobs: watershed protection tech, drilling assistant, natural resources tech, geologist assistant and water sampling assistant. We also have numerous openings with the City of Vermillion and expect seasonal openings for Curry Seed in Elk Point, and fertilizer delivery and elevator openings with fertilizer companies in Elk Point, Meckling and Vermillion. We normally receive numerous seasonal construction openings with various companies in the local area, along with numerous cashier, clerk and stocking openings with local restaurants and supermarkets.
Winner SDCC Summer employment opportunities in Winner and south central South Dakota will be limited again this year but not impossible. Seasonal positions, as well as internships with various state government departments and some federal agencies, will be available. Applications for these positions need to be completed early this spring. Full- and part-time openings will be available with the cities and towns of the area in various occupations. Those occupations include groundskeepers, swimming pool workers and various labor positions. Openings for concessions workers, cashiers, cooks and cleaners will be available at fast food businesses, convenience stores, ballparks and racetracks. Construction contractors, as well as area farmers and ranchers, will offer summer employment opportunities. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Employment and Training Program will offer summer employment opportunities for the Native American youth of the area. As always, those who start their search for summer employment early will be the most successful.
Yankton SDCC The outlook for summer employment in the Yankton area is excellent. Normal to above normal opportunities are expected in the tourist related industries (i.e. Missouri River and Lewis and Clark Recreational areas). Many building and road projects are on the table and will provide summer employment opportunities. Manufacturing companies are experiencing a great year, which translates into more summer jobs in that sector. Retail, service and health care fields are all expecting normal hiring patterns for summer openings. Those seeking summer or year-round employment opportunities are encouraged to visit their nearest South Dakota Career Center or check out the Job Seekers section of the South Dakota Department of Labor’s website for assistance. Various Internet Sites for Summer Job Opportunities
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