A number of RVers we know did work in Quartzsite this season. In fact, we met up with about 20 at Desert Sunrise RV Park at a Workamper gathering. Some were working here, some taking it easy and taking in the Quartzsite experience. Bev and Jim, who hosted us at the park, are here for several months working as managers. Others picked up jobs during the various shows. One couple had a booth at the tent, selling their art quality photographs.
Workampers, by the way, is another name for RVers who work while living the RV lifestyle. Some are retired, some are not. There are hundreds of different opportunities types of for working on the road.
The Quartzsite RV Show is also a place to find jobs for the summer. A number of companies were represented in the big tent and immediately outside. It's an excellent opportunity to talk to a company representative and get your questions answered. You might even get an interview and a job offer.
We first spotted Adventureland's booth. Adventureland is an amusement park in Iowa. They have had a successful Workamper program for a number of years, started by Steve Anderson, who is now owner of Workamper News. Gary Pardekooper, HR Director, had several Workampers assisting him at the booth. Pictured are Pat Langston (L), Gary, and LaVaughn Petitt (R). Bert Bertrand was just out of sight to the left (camera shy!) and Ed and Marty Castro had the day off. Gary has interviews lined up elsewhere in the area, so you might be able to catch him in the Southwest if you check at the Web site. They are a featured employer at Workamper.com.
Another large employer of Workampers is Amazon.com. Several workers from this past season were at our gathering. Amazon hires at three locations - in Kentucky, Kansas and Nevada. The work is short term but intense. The pay is excellent for seasonal work and includes an RV site. You do need to be in good physical condition. Ben Serio, Nikki Warren and Rick Todry, representing their warehouses, were taking names of interested RVers plus held a couple of introductory meetings. We found out that the Phoenix warehouse isn't likely to need RVers since there are plenty of locals to fill the jobs. They would probably have lots of applications!
In addition, we saw a booth for Oregon and Washington State Parks to entice RVers to camphost for their parks. Three forest service concessionaires were also looking for employees for their campgrounds: California Land Management, American Land & Leisure, and Thousand Trails.
Xanterra, a concessionaire in a number of national parks, was represented at Crater Lake Lodge. Their booth was set up to attract visitors and employees.
Quartzsite, that little desert town that comes alive in January each year, has both local jobs and is a place that employers have learned is good for recruiting summer workers. Keep that in mind next year. It could work for you. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
Photos by George Bruzenak
Related post:
Article at RVLifestyleExperts.com
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