Need seasonal work this fall? Many of these PA public sector jobs don’t require a degree
.jpeg "Searching for work this fall? Seasonal gigs with Pennsylvania’s government agencies could be worth a look.")
Once again, Pennsylvania’s labor market appears to be in strong shape heading into the heart of the fall season.
The commonwealth’s unemployment rate sat at 3.4% for the 11th consecutive month in August, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s latest report released Sept. 20. The statewide unemployment rate still falls well short of the overall U.S. unemployment rate, which dropped to 4.2% in August.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force — or the estimated number of residents working or looking for employment — checked in at roughly 6.58 million in August. That figure is down about 22,000 month-to-month, largely due to a 20,000-person drop in resident employment, the agency reports.
Work in the public sector can provide strong pay and benefits through a wide variety of positions — even for those hoping to work seasonally. Here’s a look at some of the best-paying seasonal jobs open and advertised publicly through Pennsylvania’s online employment portal as of early October.
Clerical Assistant 2 (Presque Isle State Park)
Salary: $18.05 hourly
Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Description: Located up in Erie County, Presque Isle State Park is searching for a seasonal employee to help cover administrative work at the park’s marina facility. A worker in this role would help review and process data, information, forms and other documents while logging important information in computer systems. Work may also involve creating and formatting documents, maintaining files and records and assisting the public in completing government forms or obtaining general information about the park’s programs and services.
This seasonal role offers full-time employment for five days per week, with work hours stretching between roughly 10 a.m. and 6 p.m, according to the online listing. The job is based in Erie.
Minimum qualifications for the role include at least six months of prior work experience as a clerical assistant 1 (a commonwealth title) or graduation from high school or an equivalent combination of work experience and training. Applicants must meet Pennsylvania’s residency requirements.
Environmental Education Specialist
Salary: $25.99 hourly
Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Description: Warren County’s Champan State Park is hiring a seasonal worker to help oversee “every aspect of environmental education, recreation and interpretive programs and activities.” According to the online job description, this work largely involves planning, creating, organizing and delivering environmental and historical education, recreation programming and interpretive programs and activities for park visitors. Such programs may include guided walks, audio-visual presentations, tours, campfires and field learning activities centered on natural history, cultural events and environmental concerns.
The job, based in Clarendon, offers seasonal, full-time employment without benefits. Work hours are from roughly 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, though additional work may be required on holidays and other shift times.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in environmental education, education, natural sciences, social sciences or parks and recreation, or an equivalent combination of experience and training. Applicants are considered to have met this role’s educational requirements if they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
Equipment Operator A (Ohiopyle State Park)
Salary: $18.05 hourly
Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Description: Ohiopyle State Park in southwestern Pennsylvania needs a seasonal worker to help operate dump trucks and trailers during projects related to general construction, maintenance and grounds work, including snow removal and cindering equipment. Seasonal workers in this role will also operate machinery (including bulldozers and front-end loaders) while working to maintain equipment through cleaning and preventative maintenance work. Manual labor tasks in this role include tree removal, lawn maintenance and snow removal.
This full-time, seasonal role based in Fayette County does not offer benefits. Work hours are from roughly 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, but some weekends and holidays may be required.
Applicants should have at least six month of work experience operating and maintaining large vans, buses and trucks with a gross vehicle weight of at least 10,000 pounds. Applicants must also possess a valid Class C Pennsylvania driver’s licenses and later obtain a Class B commercial driver’s license with Airbrake Endorsement, according to the online job description.
Fish culturist 1
Salary: $18.05 hourly
Agency: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Description: Pennsylvania’s Reynoldsdale State Fish Hatchery is hiring a seasonal culturist to learn how to collect and brood stock while handling fish “in a manner that minimizes stress, injury and mortality.” Workers in this role will learn to operate a fish stocking vehicle to load and transport fish, monitor fish and take action to deliver them in excellent condition. Work may also require performing repairs and maintenance to buildings, equipment and grounds.
This job, based in Bedford County, offers full-time seasonal employment without benefits, but it may transition to a full-time role, according to the online position listing. Work hours are from roughly 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, though some hours on weekends, evenings and holidays may be required.
Applicants should have graduated from high school or received an equivalent certification of formal training. Applicants must also possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and obtain a commercial driver’s license before completing their probationary period on the job.
Winter Tunnel Maintainer (Allegheny County)
Salary: $24.42 hourly
Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Description: PennDOT’s Tunnel Maintenance Office is looking for seasonal workers to help monitor traffic flow and provide emergency responses to any of the four major tunnels in Allegheny County. In this role, workers will help tow and push disabled vehicles to safe areas, sweep garages and perform general tunnel maintenance, including washing walls and cleaning gutter lines. Work may also include the repair of tunnel ceilings, walls, steps, curbs, doors and plaza area roads and sidewalks, plus the maintenance of plumbing fixtures and water lines in and around tunnels.
This full-time, seasonal role is based in Allegheny County out near Pittsburgh. Hours will vary due to 24/7 operation, but work is offered from September through April with “frequent opportunities to obtain a permanent, full-time position,” the online job posting reads.
Applicants should have at least two years of experience in roadway maintenance and repair, emergency services, towing and roadside assistance or traffic control work, or an equivalent combination of experience and training. Applicants must hold a valid Pennsylvania class A driver’s license with the air brake restriction (L) removed by the first day of employment. They must also possess a valid medical examiner’s certificate in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations on the first day of work.
Environmental Education Specialist
Salary: $25.99 hourly
Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Description: Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County is searching for a seasonal worker to help create and develop environmental education materials surrounding the park’s outdoor recreation initiatives. This role is intended to support and enhance the existing efforts of the park’s full-time and salaried environmental education specialist.
This role offers seasonal, full-time work without benefits. Work runs from March through November with shift hours and days varying due to operational need, according to the online job posting.
Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental education, education, natural sciences, social sciences or parks and recreation, or an equivalent combination of experience and training. Applicants are considered to have met educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
Semi-skilled laborer
Salary: $18.05 hourly
Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Description: The Laurel Hill State Park complex in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Somerset County is searching for seasonal workers to join its maintenance crew. These workers are responsible for lawn care, masonry work, painting and completing small repairs on tools and equipment. Work may also require the use of dump trucks, small tractors and mowing tractors, plus a general understanding of electrical work and plumbing.
This seasonal, full-time role is offered without benefits. Shift hours and days may vary due to operational needs, but some work on weekends, holidays and other shift times may be required, according to the job description.
Applicants should have at least one year of labor experience using traditional maintenance and construction tools and equipment, or an equivalent combination of experience and training. This position also requires the possession of a valid Pennsylvania non-commercial class C driver’s licenses or its equivalent.
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