Alle-Kiski Valley employers across all business sectors looking for workers, employment agency says

PA CareerLink Alle-Kiski said Friday it has received more than 300 job postings in the past month.

“Jobs are available from virtually every business sector,” said Phil Grove, account representative for PA CareerLink Alle-Kiski.

Jobs range from ones for which applicants need no previous experience to ones requiring advanced degrees, he said.

“There is no step on the career development ladder that is not covered in these job openings in the A-K Valley,” Grove said.

Some jobs have remained unfilled for a while, but that could change.

The expiration Sept. 5 of some pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs, such as the additional $300 per week benefit, is expected to impact the local job market, Grove said.

“Hopefully, it will be a positive effect,” he said.

Employers are trying hard to land employees by offering financial incentives such as signing or retention bonuses and higher wages, he said.

“This is a very good time to return to work or get a new position,” Grove said.

One longtime local business, Plum-based Penn Barrel Inc., is among the companies looking for employees.

Founded in 1908, the small family business reconditions poly drums of all sizes and 55-gallon steel, open-head drums.

“Due to the pandemic, we have struggled to fill positions,” said Jennifer Goss, order processing specialist at Penn Barrel. “Before that, we expanded and built a full 55-gallon steel drum reconditioning plant.”

The company has immediate openings for general labor positions with on-the-job training. Wages vary according to the job, Gross said. Health benefits are offered after 90 days.

Other new jobs posted recently on the PA CareerLink Alle-Kiski website include:

• Maintenance technician II: UniFirst, New Kensington.

• Staff Accountant: RJ Lee Group, Plum.

• Permanent supportive housing case manager: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, Harrison.

• Milkshake maker, Burgatory, Waterworks near Aspinwall.

• Rolling mill worker, Braeburn Alloy Steel, Lower Burrell.

• Production operator, PPG Industries, Springdale.

• Customer service representative, Blackburn’s Physicians Pharmacy, Tarentum.