By Lauren Wanko
Correspondent
It’s still chilly along the shore, but that isn’t stopping Jenkinson’s Boardwalk employees from stocking their stands. Some of the seasonal workers have been on the job since Easter weekend. The number of employees increases with the temperature.
“When we’re at full staff, in the middle of the summer, we’re generally between 1,000 and 1,200 boardwalk wide,” said Director of Marketing Toby Wolf.
Jenkinson’s job fair is usually at the end of February or early March.
How did this year’s job fair compare to last year?
“You know this year the job fair was a little light in attendance compared to previous years,” Wolf said. “I’m not sure. I don’t know if it was just a little earlier because Easter was earlier people weren’t thinking of that.”
Wolf says there’s a higher percentage of returning staff this year.
When asked if he’s hiring more or less, Wolf said, “As opposed to last year, probably about the same if you go from the peak of 2000-2005, it may be a little bit less and that’s because we’re still coming back from economic downturn as well as the post Sandy. While we’re doing really well, you still have that in your head that recovery’s going on.”
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is still looking to fill about 20 percent of their workforce. That’s a couple hundred jobs mostly in their amusement park and other attractions. Most of the positions still available require workers to be 16 or older.
Broadway Bar & Grill is a year round business in Point Pleasant Beach.
When asked if she is hiring this summer, owner Linda DeDreus said, “Yes we’re hiring. I always hire a few.”
DeDreux typically adds four to five more people to her staff. She’s counting on a busy season.
“The last two years because of Hurricane Sandy everything’s been off, nothings been the same, but hopefully, god willing this is gonna be our year,” she said.
Top That! Donuts — a year-round, made-to-order doughnut shop — is having its second summer in business. They’ve tweaked their hiring strategy.
“As a new business, we over hired with our staff for last summer but we have an amazing staff for this summer,” said Ashley Savastano.
Last summer, Top That! Donuts had about 30 workers. This year they’ve brought in half that.
“On one shift seven or eight people working behind the counter, now we’ll probably stick to four. It just works out so much better,” Savastano said.
The summer staff’s in place. Now it’s up to the tourists to put them to work.