JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars' Guest Services Department and its stadium partners hosted a job fair Tuesday at EverBank Field.
The event was held to help fill more than 1,000 part-time positions for all 2017 home games and other events.
Available positions included food service, bartenders, cooks, prep staff, servers, bar back, dishwashers, cashiers, merchandise supervisors, sales associates, security, ushers, ticket takers, escalator operators, housekeeping and parking attendants.
The event took place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the US Assure Club East. Before the job fair even opened, more than 50 people were lined up outside EverBank Field, looking for the opportunity to sell themselves to potential employers.
"I'm hoping to get a job," applicant Elizabeth Nofzinger told News4Jax. "I like being in the food business. I'm a waitress. I love to work and serve food, and merchandise."
The companies that participated in the job fair included the Jaguar's Guest Services Department, SMG Jacksonville, S.A.F.E. Management, Delaware North, Fanatics and Citywide.
"I really wanted to work with S.A.F.E. Management security, so I feel as though I did good," Willie bolden said.
They came dressed to impress, encouraged by all the employment opportunities presenting themselves at the same time this summer in Jacksonville.
"I'll probably go to the Amazon one as well," said Jay Wenberg, who was among several people interviewing with more than one business.
According to realtors, the housing market has been growing steadily in Jacksonville, and many of the area's shopping centers are expanding, which points to the economy improving. In addition to the Jaguars and its partners, Amazon and Ikea are also hiring.
"For years, I've seen the residential growth, and I wondered what's building," Wenberg said. "Now, I understand it's a lot of jobs. It's exciting."
There are nearly 3,000 jobs available in the River City for those willing to work. Amazon is looking to fill 1,500 jobs for Jacksonville's new fulfillment centers. Ikea, which will be opening this fall on the city's Southside, is looking to fill 250 positions.