Felon Friendly Jobs in Kansas | Second Chance

What are the Highest Paying Felon-Friendly Jobs in Kansas City?

Felons in Kansas can access well-paying jobs across various industries by leveraging skills, certifications, and experience. While salaries vary by role, location, and employer, the following sectors offer some of the highest-paying opportunities for individuals with felony records:

1. Skilled Trades and Construction

• Roles: Electricians, Plumbers, Welders, Heavy Equipment Operators
• Salary Range: $40,000 to $70,000 per year
• Details: Skilled trades are in high demand, and many employers focus on hands-on expertise rather than background checks. Certifications, like those from trade schools, significantly boost earning potential.

2. Transportation and Trucking

• Roles: Commercial Truck Drivers, Delivery Drivers, Logistics Coordinators
• Salary Range: $45,000 to $80,000 per year
• Details: Trucking companies often hire felons, especially those with a clean driving record and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Long-haul drivers typically earn the highest salaries.

3. Manufacturing and Production

• Roles: Machine Operators, Production Supervisors, Quality Control Technicians
• Salary Range: $35,000 to $60,000 per year
• Details: Kansas’s strong manufacturing sector offers well-paying jobs. Advanced certifications in machinery or quality assurance can lead to higher wages.

4. Technology and IT Support

• Roles: IT Support Specialists, Software Testers, Data Entry Operators
• Salary Range: $40,000 to $65,000 per year
• Details: The technology industry is increasingly open to hiring individuals with non-violent criminal records. Skills in IT and certifications (e.g., CompTIA, Microsoft) improve job prospects and pay.

5. Oil, Gas, and Energy

• Roles: Field Technicians, Equipment Operators, Safety Inspectors
• Salary Range: $50,000 to $80,000 per year
• Details: Kansas’s energy sector often hires workers for physically demanding roles. Experience or certifications in the energy industry can lead to higher earnings.

6. Healthcare Support Roles

• Roles: Medical Coders, Phlebotomists, Patient Transport Assistants
• Salary Range: $35,000 to $55,000 per year
• Details: Non-clinical healthcare positions, like medical billing and coding, are accessible to felons with the right training and certification.

7. Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment

• Roles: Freelancers, Contractors, Business Owners
• Income Potential: Varies, often $50,000+ per year
• Details: Starting a business in trades, construction, landscaping, or other services allows felons to bypass traditional employment barriers. Success depends on skills, customer service, and reputation.

8. Sales and Real Estate

• Roles: Sales Representatives, Real Estate Agents
• Salary Range: $40,000 to $75,000 per year (including commissions)
• Details: Sales roles in various industries can offer high earning potential. For real estate, obtaining a license might require review by the Kansas Real Estate Commission but is possible.

9. Agriculture and Farming Management

• Roles: Farm Managers, Equipment Operators, Agricultural Technicians
• Salary Range: $40,000 to $65,000 per year
• Details: Kansas’s agriculture sector offers well-paying roles for experienced workers, particularly in equipment operation and farm management.

10. Unionized Positions

• Roles: Various Trades and Skilled Labor Jobs
• Salary Range: $45,000 to $70,000 per year
• Details: Union jobs in trades or manufacturing often come with competitive pay and benefits. Joining a union can provide additional support for individuals with criminal records.

What are the Programs and Resources for Felons in Kansas to Find Employment?

Kansas Workforce Centers

Kansas Workforce Centers provide job search assistance, resume building, and career counseling. They also offer training programs in high-demand fields like CDL licensing and trade certifications, connecting individuals with local employers and employment opportunities.

Second-Chance Employment Programs

These programs partner with felon-friendly employers to offer job placement, expungement guidance, and second-chance hiring events. They aim to reduce employment barriers and create direct pathways to jobs.

Goodwill Industries of Kansas

Goodwill offers skills training, on-the-job experience through their retail stores, and job placement services. Their programs focus on equipping felons with practical skills to secure employment.

Kansas Reentry Program

Run by the Kansas Department of Corrections, this program supports felons with job readiness workshops, employer referrals, and resources for reintegration, including housing and transportation assistance.

Community Nonprofits and Faith-Based Organizations

Local organizations like Miracles, Inc. provide tailored employment support, case management, and connections to training programs and apprenticeships for felons seeking stable work.

Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeship programs offer paid, hands-on training in skilled trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work. These programs often lead to union jobs with competitive pay and benefits.

Temporary Staffing Agencies

Agencies like LaborMax Staffing connect felons to immediate job opportunities in industries like construction, manufacturing, and warehousing, offering a pathway to permanent employment.

Online Job Platforms

Websites such as Jobs for Felons Hub and Second Chance Jobs feature listings of felon-friendly employers and offer guidance on building employable skills and resumes.

Educational Programs and Trade Schools

Local community colleges and vocational schools provide certification programs in fields like IT, healthcare, and skilled trades, offering felons an opportunity to improve their qualifications.

Employer Incentive Programs

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provides tax benefits to employers who hire felons, encouraging businesses in Kansas to open opportunities to individuals with criminal records.

What are the Background Check Limits in Kansas for Felon Hiring? 

In Kansas, employers conducting background checks for hiring must adhere to both federal and state regulations. These laws establish limits on how and when employers can use a candidate’s criminal record in hiring decisions.

1. Time Limits on Criminal Records
   • Kansas follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which limits reporting of certain types of information in background checks. For example, credit-related issues cannot be reported after seven years, but criminal convictions can be reported indefinitely unless sealed or expunged.
2. Ban-the-Box Legislation
   • Kansas does not have statewide “ban-the-box” laws for private employers. However, state agencies and public employers are required to remove criminal history questions from initial job applications. This allows felons to be evaluated based on qualifications before discussing their record.
3. Sealed or Expunged Records
   • Once a felony is expunged in Kansas, it is not accessible to employers through background checks. Employers are legally prohibited from inquiring about sealed or expunged convictions. Felons may be eligible for expungement depending on the crime and time elapsed since the sentence was completed.
4. Relevance of Convictions
   • Employers in Kansas are encouraged to evaluate whether a criminal conviction is relevant to the job duties. This practice aligns with guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to avoid discrimination based on criminal records.
5. Applicant Consent
   • Employers must obtain written consent before conducting a background check. If adverse actions, such as denial of employment, are taken based on the results, the employer must notify the applicant and provide a copy of the report.
6. Industry-Specific Rules
   • Certain industries, such as healthcare, childcare, and law enforcement, have stricter background check requirements. Felons may face additional challenges when applying for roles in these sectors due to statutory or licensing restrictions.
7. Local Policies
   • Some Kansas cities or counties may have specific ordinances that further limit how criminal records are used in hiring. Candidates should check local regulations for additional protections.

Kansas offers a range of opportunities and resources for individuals with felony records to rebuild their careers through second-chance employment. From skilled trades and manufacturing to transportation and entrepreneurship, numerous sectors welcome felons with the right skills and determination. Programs such as Kansas Workforce Centers, reentry initiatives, and apprenticeship programs provide crucial support for job training and placement, helping candidates overcome barriers to employment. By leveraging these resources and focusing on sectors with inclusive hiring practices, felons in Kansas can secure stable, meaningful jobs and contribute positively to their communities.