by Ryan Vagabundo
Taking temporary work is part of the RV lifestyle for many of those that do it for months at a time (or full-time), offering a chance to take a break from the road and get to know a place for a little while. And there are some unique job opportunities in this area that may require an RV to take advantage of.
There are some seasonal job opportunities that are regularly posted and that welcome all types of applicants, including seniors. We'll take a look at a few of the major categories that are open to just about anyone with a suitable RV.
Resort Work
A number of different resorts across the US count on help from "work-camping" or "workamping" RVers in both the summer and winter seasons. Most provide a living site with hookups and a stipend in return for light maintenance and cleaning. And more labor-intensive jobs with higher pay are usually available if you're up for them.
Ranch Work
These jobs are similar to resort work in that they'll often provide a living space and hookups, but may ask for more active duties like horse wrangling. "Guest ranches" or "dude ranches" that focus on tourism are the prime category to look for, but you may find the odd opportunity at a more commercially-focused ranch.
National Parks
National parks employ many seasonal workers annually, mostly during the summertime. The parks often have some RV sites with full hookups and access to an employee dining room at a heavily discounted rate (think around $30 per week for all your meals, deducted automatically from salary), with increasing discounts for returning workers. Available jobs that potentially anyone can do include cleaning, maintenance, cooking and hospitality positions.
City Parks and Rec Departments
Yep, just like the TV show with chubby Chris Pratt. An option that many people aren't aware of, city parks and rec departments sometimes hire a number of temporary workers for the spring and summer. Positions that are more low-intensity can include cashier, camp counselor and general labor. Expect these positions to require you to find your own RV parking spot, however.
Spring and summer are the peak tourist seasons for all types of gigs, and the most jobs will be seen during those months. But winter has its opportunities as well, chiefly the assorted hunting seasons and at the various ski resorts. Check out job sites that focus on these types of nomadic jobs, such as CoolWorks and Workamper, as well as the US Bureau of Land Management for national parks.