Felon Friendly Jobs in Las Vegas | Second Chance Employment
According to a 2022 report by the Prison Policy Initiative, Nevada has a felony conviction rate of about 7%, impacting thousands of individuals seeking reintegration into society, particularly in a competitive job market like Las Vegas. Las Vegas’s economy is heavily tourism-driven, with an estimated GDP of $146 billion in 2023. The city’s job market spans industries such as hospitality, retail, construction, and healthcare.
In August 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 5.4% unemployment rate for Las Vegas, underscoring both challenges and opportunities in the local job market. Programs and incentives in Nevada, like the Silver State Works program, encourage employers to hire individuals with felony records, increasing access to stable employment across sectors for those striving to rebuild their lives.
Latest Second chance Jobs in Las Vegas
Some of the listed jobs are open to felons with no experience. Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to secure your position.
Places That Hire Felons in Las Vegas
Several well-known companies in Las Vegas are open to hiring individuals with felony records. Here are some key sectors and companies where you may find job opportunities:
Warehousing and Manufacturing
Warehousing and manufacturing companies often have large workforces and high turnover rates, which makes them more willing to hire individuals with criminal backgrounds. Some companies to consider:
- Amazon: Known to offer jobs to individuals with past felonies on a case-by-case basis.
- Walmart Distribution Centers: Employs people with criminal records in positions such as warehouse associates and material handlers.
- PepsiCo: Open to hiring for various positions, including delivery and warehouse jobs.
Food Service and Hospitality
Given the bustling tourism industry, Las Vegas has a thriving hospitality sector, making it a great option for felons seeking employment. Some potential employers include:
- MGM Resorts International: This major player in Las Vegas’s hotel and casino industry hires for various roles, and many felons have reported successful employment.
- Caesars Entertainment: Known to give individuals with past records a second chance in jobs like housekeeping, food services, and maintenance.
- McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s: These fast-food chains are often willing to employ individuals with felony convictions.
Construction and Skilled Trades
Construction is one of the most felon-friendly industries, with opportunities to learn skills that lead to higher-paying jobs. Some construction companies in Las Vegas include:
- Labor Finders: A staffing agency that specializes in the construction industry and offers day labor jobs.
- Mastec: Known to hire felons for various roles in construction and infrastructure projects.
- Turner Construction: Open to hiring people with criminal backgrounds for entry-level positions.
Retail
Retail stores often have positions in stock, sales, and customer service, some of which are available to individuals with felony records:
- The Home Depot: Has a reputation for hiring individuals with criminal backgrounds in roles such as cashier, warehouse, and inventory associate.
- Lowe’s: Offers second chances for felons and hires for positions in customer service, stocking, and assembly.
- Ace Hardware: Often hires felons in Las Vegas for entry-level retail positions.
How Can Felons Increase Their Chances of Getting Hired?
While finding a job with a criminal record can be tough, certain strategies can improve your chances:
Be Honest About Your Background
When filling out applications, be transparent about your criminal history if asked. Employers appreciate honesty, and many are willing to work with applicants who are upfront.
Highlight Transferable Skills
Emphasize any skills you’ve gained, even if acquired in non-traditional settings. Skills such as teamwork, time management, and attention to detail can be valuable in various roles.
Gain Certifications or Skills
Completing courses or certifications can make you a more attractive candidate. For example, gaining a forklift certification can benefit warehouse jobs, while food safety certifications may help in hospitality and restaurant positions.
Build a Strong Network
Connecting with local support networks and job placement programs for felons in Las Vegas can help you find leads on employers willing to offer second chances. Networking also includes reaching out to other people who have gone through similar experiences and successfully found work.
What Industries Offer the Most Opportunities for Felons in Las Vegas?
Some industries are traditionally more felon-friendly, particularly those with high demand for labor. The most accessible industries in Las Vegas include:
- Hospitality and Tourism: With many hotels, casinos, and restaurants, this industry offers a variety of entry-level positions.
- Transportation and Logistics: Companies in transportation often need drivers, dispatchers, and warehouse staff, making it a felon-friendly industry.
- Construction and Maintenance: Jobs in this sector often require physical labor and skills, which can be learned on the job or through vocational training.
What Are the Benefits of Working with a Felon-Friendly Staffing Agency?
Staffing agencies that specialize in helping individuals with criminal records can connect you to employers more likely to hire felons. Some agencies include:
- Labor Finders: Specializes in construction and day labor jobs and regularly works with individuals with criminal backgrounds.
- Express Employment Professionals: Offers temporary and permanent positions and has experience placing people with felony convictions.
Which other states offer Second Chance Employment?
Specific Companies Hiring Felons in Las Vegas
Here are some specific companies and industries in Las Vegas that are known to be felon-friendly and actively hire individuals with criminal records:
1. MGM Resorts International
One of the largest employers in Las Vegas, MGM offers numerous entry-level and skilled positions in hospitality, food service, housekeeping, and maintenance. They are open to applicants with diverse backgrounds and provide training for many roles.
2. Caesars Entertainment
Another major player in the hospitality sector, Caesars operates hotels and casinos, often hiring for roles in customer service, food and beverage, housekeeping, and security. These jobs provide flexible schedules and opportunities for advancement.
3. Boyd Gaming
Boyd Gaming hires for positions across their hotel and casino properties in roles like housekeeping, culinary, and security. They are known for providing second-chance employment opportunities to individuals with felony backgrounds.
4. Amazon
With a large fulfillment center in Las Vegas, Amazon hires felons for warehouse, packing, and logistics roles. Amazon offers competitive wages and benefits, with opportunities for advancement into supervisory positions.
5. FedEx
FedEx frequently hires for package handler, driver, and warehouse roles. The company values diversity and provides various schedules, making it ideal for those reentering the workforce.
6. Walmart Distribution Centers
Walmart’s distribution centers in Las Vegas offer warehouse, stocking, and inventory jobs. They provide on-the-job training and often consider individuals with felony backgrounds, especially for entry-level roles.
7. The Home Depot
Home Depot stores in Las Vegas hire for customer service, cashier, and stocking positions. The company values inclusivity and provides training, with growth opportunities into specialized departments.
8. Lowe’s
Similar to Home Depot, Lowe’s offers positions in customer service, stocking, and warehouse roles. They are open to hiring individuals with felony convictions and offer career advancement programs.
9. Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware stores hire for customer service, cashier, and stock clerk roles. They emphasize a supportive work environment and provide training, especially for individuals reentering the job market.
10. McDonald’s
With numerous locations around Las Vegas, McDonald’s hires for roles such as crew members, cashiers, and cooks. Known for providing second chances, they offer flexible schedules and training for entry-level workers.
11. Chipotle
Chipotle offers food preparation and cashier positions, providing opportunities to grow within the company. They have been known to hire individuals with felony backgrounds, especially those seeking stable employment in the food service industry.
12. Denny’s
Denny’s is open to hiring felons, often for positions like cooks, dishwashers, and servers. They provide training and flexibility, making it a good choice for individuals reentering the workforce.
13. Labor Finders
Labor Finders specializes in connecting individuals with temporary and permanent positions, often in construction, manufacturing, and warehousing. They focus on helping those with felony records find quick employment.
14. Turner Construction
Turner Construction hires for various roles in building and construction projects. They are known for giving individuals with felony convictions a chance in positions like general labor, carpentry, and other trade roles.
15. Mastec
A construction and infrastructure company, Mastec hires for roles in telecommunications, construction, and labor. They are open to hiring felons for entry-level and skilled positions on job sites across Las Vegas.
16. UPS
UPS hires individuals with felony backgrounds for roles such as package handler, driver helper, and warehouse support. They provide comprehensive training and offer numerous seasonal and permanent job opportunities.
17. Lyft
As a ride-share service, Lyft allows individuals with felony records (after a certain period) to become drivers, depending on the nature of the felony and the time elapsed since the conviction. This offers flexibility and independence in work.
18. U-Haul
U-Haul hires for positions in customer service, maintenance, and driving. They are known for hiring individuals with felony convictions and providing consistent employment with benefits.
19. Express Employment Professionals
A staffing agency, Express connects individuals with temporary and permanent jobs in various fields, including administration, warehousing, and customer service. They work with felons and offer a range of job types.
20. Manpower
Another staffing agency, Manpower offers temporary and permanent job placements in industries like manufacturing, hospitality, and warehousing. They work to help felons find jobs that match their skill levels.
21. Integrity Staffing Solutions
Integrity specializes in warehousing and logistics positions, often working with large clients like Amazon. They provide entry-level and short-term roles and are known for considering felons in their hiring processes.
Job Market in Las Vegas
The job market in Las Vegas is diverse and resilient, primarily driven by the hospitality, gaming, and construction industries. As of recent data, Las Vegas has an unemployment rate of around 5.2%, slightly above the national average, yet it shows steady improvement as tourism and hospitality recover from pandemic impacts. In 2023, the leisure and hospitality sector employed over 300,000 people, representing nearly 30% of the total employment in Las Vegas.
The construction industry also remains robust, with numerous ongoing development projects, contributing to over 10% of employment in the region. Additionally, the healthcare sector is expanding, with an expected growth rate of 15% over the next decade, creating thousands of jobs in medical, nursing, and administrative roles. As Las Vegas diversifies its economy beyond gaming and tourism, job opportunities in logistics, technology, and renewable energy are also on the rise.
Programs and Resources for Felons in Las Vegas
Las Vegas offers several programs and resources specifically designed to support individuals with felony convictions as they work toward stable employment, housing, and personal development. Here are some key programs and resources available in the area:
1. Hope for Prisoners
Hope for Prisoners is a reentry program aimed at helping formerly incarcerated individuals transition back into society. They offer job training, mentorship, and personal development workshops. One of their main strengths is partnering with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to provide supportive services.
Services: Workforce development, job placement assistance, life skills training, and family reunification support.
2. Nevada Department of Corrections Reentry Program
This state-led reentry program provides pre-release and post-release support for individuals nearing the end of their incarceration. They focus on skills needed for reintegration and work closely with employers willing to hire individuals with criminal records.
Services: Vocational training, housing assistance, substance abuse counseling, and educational programs.
3. The Empowerment Workshop
The Empowerment Workshop is a nonprofit organization that offers job readiness and personal development training tailored to individuals with criminal backgrounds. The program is designed to boost confidence and equip participants with job search skills.
Services: Job coaching, resume building, interview preparation, and financial literacy training.
4. Goodwill of Southern Nevada
Goodwill offers job placement assistance for individuals facing barriers to employment, including those with felony convictions. They have an employment center in Las Vegas that provides career counseling and training programs.
Services: Job placement, resume support, digital skills training, and connections to local employers open to hiring individuals with criminal records.
5. Las Vegas Urban League – Workforce Development Programs
The Las Vegas Urban League offers various workforce development programs aimed at underserved communities, including individuals with felony convictions. They provide personalized support to help participants enter or re-enter the job market.
Services: Career counseling, GED programs, vocational training, and job placement.
6. HELP of Southern Nevada
This organization focuses on helping individuals facing homelessness, including those impacted by the criminal justice system. They offer assistance with housing, employment, and various essential services.
Services: Emergency housing, utility assistance, job training, and case management for sustained support.
7. Nevada Second Chance Program
Nevada Second Chance is a statewide initiative that assists individuals with felony convictions in overcoming legal and societal barriers to reentry. They focus on policy advocacy and direct assistance to help felons access employment, housing, and financial resources.
Services: Legal aid, employment support, expungement assistance, and connections to supportive housing programs.
8. Las Vegas Rescue Mission
The Las Vegas Rescue Mission provides transitional housing, addiction recovery services, and job readiness training to help individuals reintegrate into the community. They work with a range of employers who are open to hiring individuals with past convictions.
Services: Transitional housing, job training, substance abuse counseling, and meal services.
9. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
Though not exclusive to Las Vegas, the WOTC is a federal program that incentivizes employers to hire individuals with felony records by offering tax credits. Many Las Vegas employers use this to offset the costs associated with onboarding individuals facing employment barriers.
Services: Tax credit for employers, encouraging them to hire individuals with felony convictions.
10. City of Las Vegas Re-Entry Advisory Council
This council brings together various community stakeholders to support reentry initiatives in Las Vegas. The goal is to reduce recidivism by creating a supportive network that includes housing, employment, and legal resources.
Services: Collaboration on community programs, resource networking, and policy development aimed at supporting reentry.
Legal Protections and Incentives for Employers in Las Vegas
Employers who hire individuals with felony convictions in the United States, including Las Vegas, benefit from various legal protections and incentives designed to encourage second-chance hiring. These programs and protections help reduce the perceived risks of hiring individuals with criminal records while promoting workplace diversity and stability. Here are some key protections and incentives:
1. Federal Bonding Program
- Overview: This program provides employers with free fidelity bonds to protect against theft, forgery, larceny, and other criminal acts committed by employees, offering peace of mind for businesses hiring individuals with criminal records.
- Benefits: Bonds cover losses up to $5,000 with no deductible for a six-month period, and they can be renewed if necessary. The bond serves as an insurance policy for the employer, minimizing financial risks associated with hiring.
- Application: Employers can apply through the local workforce agency or Department of Labor, with bonds provided at no cost to the employer or employee.
2. Ban-the-Box Laws
- Overview: “Ban-the-Box” laws prohibit employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal history on initial job applications, giving individuals with records a fair chance to advance in the hiring process.
- Benefits: By delaying questions about criminal history until later stages, employers can assess candidates based on their qualifications first. This helps reduce discrimination in the hiring process and gives candidates with records an opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
- Local Application: Many states and cities have implemented “Ban-the-Box” policies. Nevada has such a law in place, applying to public employers. Some private employers also follow this practice voluntarily.
3. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Compliance
- Overview: The FCRA regulates how employers can use background checks in hiring decisions, ensuring accuracy and fairness in reporting criminal records. Employers must inform candidates and obtain written consent before conducting a background check.
- Benefits: This protection ensures that background checks are fair and that applicants have an opportunity to review and dispute any errors. Employers benefit by following FCRA guidelines, and avoiding legal issues from unfair hiring practices.
- Compliance Requirements: If an employer decides not to hire someone based on a background check, they must provide the candidate with a copy of the report and a summary of their rights under the FCRA.
4. Nevada Assembly Bill 192 (AB 192) – Record Sealing
- Overview: AB 192 allows individuals in Nevada to seal their criminal records after a certain period, depending on the type of offense. This helps individuals with records to clear their background and improve their chances of finding employment.
- Benefits for Employers: Employers benefit by having access to a more diverse talent pool as qualified candidates are able to remove minor offenses from their records. Additionally, hiring individuals with sealed records aligns with state efforts to support rehabilitation and reintegration.
- Eligibility: The record-sealing process varies based on the offense, with eligibility for non-violent or lesser offenses often granted more quickly. Employers can consult Nevada law to understand which types of convictions may be sealed.
5. Occupational Licensing Reform
- Overview: Many states, including Nevada, have reformed occupational licensing laws to make it easier for individuals with felony convictions to qualify for licenses in certain professions. These reforms remove barriers to jobs that require specific licenses, such as plumbing, cosmetology, and various trades.
- Benefits: Employers in industries requiring licenses have access to a broader pool of qualified applicants. This reform also makes it easier for felons to pursue skilled professions where labor shortages often exist.
- Application: Licensing boards now consider factors like the nature of the offense, time passed since conviction, and rehabilitation efforts, making it easier for individuals with criminal backgrounds to become licensed professionals.
6. State Incentives and Grants
- Overview: Many states, including Nevada, offer grants, tax incentives, or subsidies to companies that hire individuals with criminal records, aimed at offsetting training and onboarding costs.
- Benefits: Employers receive financial support for hiring and training costs, creating more opportunities for individuals with felony convictions and reducing turnover by encouraging long-term retention.
- Application: Employers can explore state-based incentives through Nevada’s workforce development programs or the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
Conclusion
Finding employment in Las Vegas can be challenging for those with a felony record, but the city offers numerous pathways to success for motivated individuals. With a growing list of felon-friendly employers and a range of supportive programs—from tax incentives for businesses to skill-building resources—Las Vegas is becoming increasingly accommodating for second-chance job seekers.
Organizations and companies across the city, from hospitality to construction, are embracing the opportunity to offer stable employment to individuals ready to rebuild their lives. By tapping into these resources and support systems, felons in Las Vegas can achieve financial stability, establish meaningful careers, and make a positive impact in their communities. The journey may have hurdles, but with the right opportunities, determination, and support, a bright future is attainable.
