JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The line of people hoping to get a job with Amazon on Monday stretched out the door, along the sidewalk and into the parking lot of the Legends Center on Soutel Drive on the Northside.
The online shopping giant is looking for over thousands of employees to staff the two fulfillment centers it will open later this year -- one near the Cecil Commerce Center and a second near the airport, off Pecan Park Road.
People started lining up at the Legends Center around 8 a.m. for a chance to get face-to-face with Amazon representatives between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"I been here for two hours straight," Lamar Jeter said as he neared the front of the line.
"I wasn't expecting it to be wrapped around the parking lot and the corner," said Terrance Beckless.
There was also a large crowd at a second hiring event Monday that ran from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of North Florida's Herbert Center on Alumni Drive. Other job fairs are planned all this week and next week.
"A lot of people are out of work right now. It's hard," job applicant Ira Turner said. "The job market isn't as great as it used to be."
These are one-stop hiring events. Once you get in the door you fill out an online application, go through a background check and drug test, and then get an interview. Candidates need to bring a photo ID and can save time by filling out an online application before arriving. The whole process can take more than two hours, not counting the time spent in line.
If everything works out, a job could be offered on the spot.
"Amazon jobs are physical jobs, so you're going to be standing on your feet all day," said Candace Moody of Career Source Northeast Florida. "You'll need to lift up to 49 pounds, and you'll be putting on lots of miles. Your Fitbit is going to be pretty happy."
The company said employees can be subject to:
- Temperature in the sort center may vary between 60-90 degrees and will occasionally exceed 90 degrees
- You’ll stand in one place for extended periods of time – stand/walk for up to 10-12 hours
- Expect to handle packages from small envelopes to boxes ranging up to 49 pounds
- Be able to frequently push, pull, squat, bend and reach
- Noise level varies and can sometimes be loud
According to Amazon, the job pays about 30 percent more than an average retail job and employees also get benefits like medical and dental insurance, as well as a 401K.
Other Amazon job fairs taking place this month:
Prime Osborn III Convention Center
Dates and times:
- Monday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Friday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center's address is 1000 Water St., Jacksonville, FL, 32204.
For more information, click here.
Adam W. Herbert University Center
Dates and times:
- July 10-14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Adam W. Herbert University Center is located at 12000 Alumni Drive in Jacksonville.
The Legends Center
Dates and times:
- July 10, 12 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- July 11 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Legends Center is located at 5054 Soutel Drive in Jacksonville.
To apply for positions online or to learn more about on-the-spot job offers, click here.