KENNEBUNK – Interested in a career in banking? How about a seasonal job at a hotel on the ocean? Thought about a career in law enforcement – local municipalities are hiring.

Prospective employees looking for a summer gig or a full-time job – and employers looking for workers – can get together March 28 at St. Martha’s Church on Portland Road. The annual job fair is co-sponsored by the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce and the town of Kennebunk.

People looking for work, full-time, part-time, remote, seasonal or year around, can get the low-down on an array of offerings, said Laura Dolce, executive director at the Chamber. The job fair begins at 1 p.m. Monday, March 28. The first hour is set aside for retired workers looking for opportunities to rejoin the work force, and is then open to the public 2 to 4 p.m.

“We held our last retired workers job fair in 2019, so we’re happy to have the first hour of this fair dedicated solely to retired workers,” Dolce said, noting that in the past, there have been two fairs. The Chamber of Commerce decided to combine the two this year to make it easier for employers to get time away from work when they are already short-staffed, she said.

“We’ve been fortunate in being able to return dozens of retired workers to our local work force over the past several years,” Dolce said, though the pandemic prompted many to stay home the past couple of years. “We’re hoping to see many of those people return this year, as employers tell us they are some of the most experienced, reliable employees they’ve had. In addition, as far as our seasonal hospitality businesses go, retired workers can fill the gap in the fall when many students return to school.”

Dolce said the Chamber expects about 40 to 50 employers at the fair and in the past has taken calls from employers until the morning of the event, though they would like to have the full count by Friday, March 25.

“Last year we held a virtual job fair, via Zoom, which was effective for its time, but I think people can really get to know a candidate at an in-person fair,” said Dolce.

Among the employers looking for workers is The Nonantum Resort. Human Resources Director Colby Marvin Bracy said the seasonal resort is looking for help starting as early as April.

“We hire many students and teachers who work only during the summer months when we are busiest, but it is very important that we also have a core group of employees that can work starting in April and stay until we close in December, especially as we are seeing an uptick in tourism to this area during the fall,” said Bracy. She said the resort is looking for about 30 workers to augment their staff. The Nonantum employs between 185 and 200 people.

“Our biggest needs are, and always have been, housekeeping and kitchen staff,” said Bracy. “We also are looking to hire bellhops and shuttle drivers, which in the past have been easy roles to fill with local students, but this year I am seeing that applicants are very drawn to bartending and serving jobs.”

The town of Kennebunk is also looking for employees, said Human Resources Director Jeri Sheldon.

“We are looking for summer seasonal employees such as community service officers, lifeguards, Parks & Recreation summer camp counselors, and grounds maintenance staff,” said Sheldon, and there are both full- and part-time opportunities.

“The job fair is also an opportunity to talk about careers in municipal government,” said Sheldon. “For example, the town is accepting applications for police officers, truck drivers and a fire rescue chief. We hope to bring excellent people on board and retain them as long as possible.”

Bracy said some advice for those looking for work – whether they are first-time workers, – transitioning out of their lifetime career, or someone in between – “is to come in knowing your values and make sure your future employer not only respects them, but celebrates them and will stand up for you when your values are challenged.”

During the pandemic, Bracy said The Nonantum had an employee whose children’s school bus route was canceled due to staffing shortages. “This employee normally comes to work before 6 a.m., but when our general manager found out about this situation, she didn’t just grant him permission to come in later, she told him he had to be there for his kids in the morning and to arrive at work whenever he could make it in.”

Sheldon said she is excited about the upcoming job fair and talk to people about working in municipal government. “For those that have not previously worked in the public sector, we hope to show them what we have to offer and why the town is a great place to work,” she said.

Dolce said there is plenty of parking at St. Martha and the Route 1 location makes it easy for both employers and those looking for work.

For more information, visit gokennebunks.com/work/jobfair/.

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