Cherry Republic aims to hire a minimum of 100 pickers, packers, and shippers to work during the fall and holiday seasons at its Empire and Traverse City fulfillment centers. Kelli Stepka, HR Talent Manager at Cherry Republic tells the Leelanau Ticker, “traditionally, we have held our job fair during the first week of November to ramp up for the holidays. This year our hiring efforts have already begun. Our hope is to find seasonal talent by October 1st.”

She adds that Cherry Republic’s internet traffic was very strong throughout the spring and summer months and the company plans for a busy holiday season based on this trend. “Online orders have only increased, not decreased, during COVID.”

The company will host a drive-up job fair on Wednesday, September 16 from 1pm to 5pm at its packing facility at 9896 West Fisher Street in Empire.

The day of the job fair, participants can drive up to a designated area at the Empire facility to be met by a Cherry Republic ambassador with a tablet in hand who will gather applicant information or review what has already been submitted. Applicants are encouraged to wear masks and remain in their car for a streamlined process.

“We are excited to offer this unique experience of a drive-up job fair during a time of social-distancing. We need talent and many job seekers need jobs now, and employee safety is our top priority as we hire for the upcoming holiday season,” says Stepka.

An online application and pre-registration form are located here.

Meanwhile Michelle Socha, business services representative for Northwest Michigan Works!, who works directly with employers across Leelanau and parts of Grand Traverse counties, tells the Leelanau Ticker, “We NEED job seekers across the peninsula.”

She says among those hiring: Idyll Farms, Leelanau County, the Leelanau County Road Commission, Medilodge of Leelanau, Leelanau Redi-Mix, Inc., The Front Porch, several area vineyards and construction companies, as well as Suttons Bay Bingham District Library and Leland Public School.

There is “a huge hole in the Leelanau workforce,” she says. “It’s more than a Leelanau County issue — it’s a Michigan and a national issue — but Leelanau County is unique because of specific needs with housing and childcare (especially during the COVID pandemic) and the fact that there are many seasonal residents and retirees that live here.”

She says tapping into Leelanau’s semi-retired or retired residents might partially fill the void, and that Northwest Michigan Works! has career advisors who can assist those considering rejoining the workforce — even for temporary or part-time positions — with finding the ideal job fit.

Socha says there is also a Northwest Michigan Works! September Virtual Hiring Event Series coming up, with Zoom as the platform. “We are all booked up with employers; again — we need job seekers.”

9/22 features manufacturing jobs and employers.

9/24 highlights healthcare jobs and employers (including Medilodge of Leelanau).

9/25 features the hospitality/services job openings and employers.

She adds that there is also a Networks Northwest/Northwest Michigan Works! Virtual Career Connection (for Traverse City and Leelanau) hosted via ZOOM at 10am every Thursday.

“It’s a great way to meet the entire team — career advisors who work with job seekers (resumes, job search strategies, career research) and the business services representatives that work with employers on hiring, training and workforce development needs. We also advocate strongly for job seekers with employers.”

Employers and job seekers wanting to know more about Northwest Michigan Works! resources can connect with Socha by emailing michelle.socha@networksnorthwest.org

Finally, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is looking for nurses and clerical staff to assist with flu vaccine clinics, COVID-19 case management and contact tracing.

For more information, email Michelle Klein, RN, MA, PHC, at mklein@bldhd.org.