PLAINS TWP. - With her hours cut at work, Stacy Phillips of Scranton came to a job fair Tuesday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs looking for a full-time position.
The 42-year-old mother of two teenagers said she believes she has a good chance since the Plains Twp. casino is filling 250 positions for its $50 million hotel and convention center scheduled to open in the fall. She took a spot in line to speak to Tim Athey, director of hotel operations.
Ms. Phillips was one of thousands of people who attended the job fair in the Seasons Ballroom. Booths were set up for a variety of jobs, including hotel operations, housekeeping, food and beverage, banquet servers, transportation and security. Jobs also were available at Spa Sapphire, which will open in the seven-story hotel.
Mike Bean, president and general manager of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, said the pay for entry level jobs ranges from $8.25 to $10 an hour. The annual salary for supervisor jobs is in the mid-$30,000 range and manager jobs pay $40,000 to $50,000, he said. Employees at Mohegan Sun are not permitted to gamble at the casino.
Mohegan Sun now employs 1,750 and the additional 250 hires will bring total employment up to 2,000. The hotel will have 238 guest rooms, a bistro, indoor pool and fitness center.
Several job seekers welcomed the hiring opportunities, especially as the unemployment rate in the region is above 9 percent, the highest jobless rate in the state for more than three years.
Wilkes-Barre resident Becky Zaruta, 31, who waited in line outside before the job fair began, said it has been difficult to find a job. She hopes to work in housekeeping when the hotel opens in the fall.
Those who could not attend can still go to www.mohegansunpocono.com to complete an application.
Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com