Felon Friendly Jobs in Minnesota | Second Chance Employment
In Minnesota, individuals with felony convictions have access to various second chance employment opportunities, aiming to reintegrate into society. Approximately 70% of individuals incarcerated will eventually reenter their communities, and to support this transition, Minnesota offers felon-friendly jobs in industries like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Notably, 80% of Minnesota employers are willing to hire individuals with criminal records, with 50% of construction jobs, 30% of manufacturing jobs, and 20% of healthcare jobs held by individuals with felony convictions. Through the 2and Chance Employment program, Minnesota provides resources and support for both employers and individuals with felony convictions, aiming to reduce recidivism rates and promote successful reentry, ultimately creating a more inclusive and supportive community for all.
Latest Second chance Jobs in Minnesota
Some of the listed jobs are open to felons with no experience. Click on the ‘Apply Now‘ button to secure your position.
What are the Felon-Friendly Jobs in Minnesota That Require No Experience?
In Minnesota, individuals with felony convictions may face challenges when seeking employment, but there are still many job opportunities available that require little to no experience. These positions offer a chance to build a career while rebuilding one’s life. Here are some felon-friendly jobs in Minnesota that typically don’t require extensive experience:
1. Warehouse Worker
- Job Description: Warehouse workers are responsible for tasks such as packing, sorting, and shipping orders, as well as maintaining inventory. Many warehouses offer on-the-job training, so experience is not always necessary.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: Warehouses often focus on the ability to perform physical tasks rather than background history. Many companies are willing to offer second chances to those with prior convictions.
- Typical Pay Range: $14 – $18 per hour
2. Construction Laborer
- Job Description: Construction laborers perform manual labor at building sites, including tasks such as digging, lifting, and cleaning. Training is usually provided on-site, and the job requires a good work ethic and physical stamina.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: The construction industry often hires individuals with criminal backgrounds due to the shortage of workers in this field. On-the-job training is common for entry-level positions.
- Typical Pay Range: $16 – $22 per hour
3. Dishwasher/Busser
- Job Description: Dishwashers are responsible for cleaning dishes, kitchen tools, and sometimes assisting with food prep. Bussers help with clearing tables and ensuring a clean dining environment. Both roles typically require little to no experience.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: The foodservice industry is known for being open to hiring individuals with criminal records, especially for entry-level positions.
- Typical Pay Range: $12 – $15 per hour
4. Custodian/Janitor
- Job Description: Custodians clean and maintain public and private buildings, including offices, schools, and hospitals. This job typically involves sweeping, mopping, and restocking supplies. No formal experience is needed, and many employers provide on-the-job training.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: Custodial work often doesn’t require background checks or specialized skills, making it an accessible option for felons.
- Typical Pay Range: $13 – $17 per hour
5. Delivery Driver
- Job Description: Delivery drivers transport goods from one location to another. This role can range from delivering food to packages. Some companies may require a valid driver’s license and clean driving record, but no prior experience is necessary for many entry-level positions.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: Many delivery companies are more concerned with the ability to drive and deliver on time rather than an individual’s criminal history.
- Typical Pay Range: $14 – $18 per hour
6. Landscaping and Groundskeeping
- Job Description: Landscapers and groundskeepers maintain outdoor spaces, including mowing lawns, planting flowers, and caring for gardens. This work requires physical labor but can typically be learned on the job.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: Many landscaping companies are open to hiring individuals without prior experience, and the work environment tends to be less focused on background checks.
- Typical Pay Range: $14 – $18 per hour
7. Customer Service Representative
- Job Description: Customer service representatives interact with customers to resolve inquiries, provide information, and troubleshoot issues. Many companies provide training for those without previous experience in customer service.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: While some customer service jobs may require background checks, many employers in retail and telecommunications are willing to hire individuals with criminal records, especially if they demonstrate good communication skills.
- Typical Pay Range: $14 – $20 per hour
8. Retail Associate
- Job Description: Retail associates assist customers, stock shelves, and manage inventory in stores. Training is often provided, and prior retail experience is usually not required for entry-level roles.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: Retail businesses, particularly large chains, often hire individuals with criminal backgrounds, especially for positions like cashier or stock clerk.
- Typical Pay Range: $12 – $17 per hour
9. Security Guard
- Job Description: Security guards monitor and protect buildings or properties. Some positions may require a license or certification, but many companies offer training. Experience in security is not always required for entry-level roles.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: The security industry sometimes hires individuals with felony convictions, especially for entry-level positions where previous experience isn’t a necessity.
- Typical Pay Range: $14 – $18 per hour
10. General Laborer
- Job Description: General laborers perform a wide variety of tasks, including loading and unloading goods, cleaning, and assisting with different types of work. No specialized training is needed for most general labor positions.
- Why It’s Felon-Friendly: Many companies in construction, manufacturing, and warehousing hire individuals with criminal records for general labor positions.
- Typical Pay Range: $15 – $20 per hour
List of Specific Companies Hiring Felons in Minnesota
Here is a list of companies in Minnesota that have been known to hire individuals with felony convictions, focusing on industries that typically provide opportunities for those with criminal records. Keep in mind that hiring policies can change, so it’s always a good idea to contact the company directly or check their job postings for the most current information.
1. Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart is one of the largest retailers in the world, with locations across Minnesota. They are known for hiring individuals with criminal backgrounds, offering positions in customer service, stocking, and warehouse management. Wal-Mart provides training for entry-level positions, focusing more on the ability to work rather than prior experience or criminal history.
2. Target
Target is a popular retail chain that operates across Minnesota, providing a wide range of employment opportunities. They hire individuals with felony convictions, especially for roles in sales, stocking, and distribution. Target has a reputation for offering second chances to individuals seeking to rebuild their lives.
3. McDonald’s
McDonald’s, a global fast-food chain, offers entry-level positions that do not require prior experience, such as cook, cashier, or maintenance worker. Many franchise owners hire individuals with felony records, especially for local store roles, where they prioritize work ethic and reliability.
4. Home Depot
Home Depot is a major home improvement retailer that hires individuals for positions in retail sales, stocking, and warehouse roles. They have a history of hiring felons, especially for entry-level roles in their stores and distribution centers, providing on-the-job training.
5. Lowe’s
Similar to Home Depot, Lowe’s offers job opportunities in the home improvement and retail sectors. They are known to hire felons for positions in customer service, stocking, and delivery. Lowe’s prioritizes skills over criminal history and offers on-the-job training for new hires.
6. Amazon
Amazon has a large presence in Minnesota with fulfillment centers offering jobs that don’t require experience, such as warehouse associate or delivery driver. Amazon is open to hiring individuals with felony convictions, particularly those whose offenses are unrelated to theft or fraud.
7. Cognizant Technology Solutions
Cognizant is an IT services company with positions in administration and customer service. While some technical roles may require experience, they often provide opportunities for felons in non-technical roles and are open to hiring individuals with criminal backgrounds.
8. Goodwill Industries
Goodwill operates nonprofit retail stores and community programs. They are committed to providing employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to work, including those with criminal records. Goodwill offers jobs in their retail stores, donation centers, and administrative support.
9. Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment is a staffing agency that helps individuals find temporary and permanent jobs across a variety of industries. They have a history of helping felons find work, especially in sectors like manufacturing, warehousing, and office administration.
10. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
MnDOT offers jobs in the transportation sector, including road construction, maintenance, and administrative roles. They are willing to consider applicants with criminal records, though felony convictions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
11. Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, a major food processing company, hires individuals with felony convictions for roles in food production and packaging. They offer stable employment opportunities and are focused on finding workers who are reliable and able to perform physical tasks.
12. Penske Logistics
Penske is a logistics and transportation company that hires for warehouse and delivery roles. They are open to hiring individuals with felony convictions, particularly for entry-level positions in their warehouses or as truck drivers.
13. PepsiCo
PepsiCo, a multinational food and beverage company, hires individuals for various positions in manufacturing, distribution, and sales. They are known to hire felons for roles such as warehouse workers, drivers, and production associates, offering a chance to build a career in a growing industry.
14. Burlington Stores
Burlington is a retail company with locations across Minnesota that offers job opportunities in sales, stocking, and management. They are open to hiring individuals with criminal records, especially for entry-level positions in their stores.
15. UPS
UPS is a logistics company that hires for a variety of positions, including package handler, driver, and warehouse associate. The company is known for giving second chances to individuals with felony convictions, focusing on job performance and reliability over background history.
16. Sodexo
Sodexo provides food services and facilities management in schools, hospitals, and other institutions. They offer jobs in food preparation, custodial services, and facilities management, and are open to hiring individuals with felony records for these roles.
Which other states offer Second Chance Employment?
Part-Time Felon-Friendly Jobs in Minnesota
Part-time jobs can be a great starting point for individuals with felony convictions looking to rebuild their careers. These roles offer flexibility and are often less stringent about background checks. Here’s a list of part-time felon-friendly jobs in Minnesota:
| Job Title | Typical Employers | Duties | Why It’s Felon-Friendly | Pay Range |
|---|
| Retail Sales Associate | Walmart, Target, Burlington Stores, Walgreens | Assisting customers, stocking shelves, operating cash registers | Retail stores focus on customer service skills over criminal history. | $12 – $17 per hour |
| Food Service Worker | McDonald’s, Subway, Domino’s, local diners | Preparing food, taking orders, cleaning dining areas | Fast food chains often hire felons for entry-level positions due to high worker demand. | $12 – $15 per hour |
| Delivery Driver | DoorDash, Uber Eats, Amazon Flex | Delivering food or packages to customers | Gig economy jobs often require minimal background checks. | $14 – $20 per hour |
| Warehouse Associate | Amazon, FedEx, UPS, local warehouses | Packing, sorting, and shipping orders | Warehouses frequently hire part-time workers and provide on-the-job training. | $14 – $18 per hour |
| Custodian/Janitor | Sodexo, local schools, office buildings | Cleaning and maintaining buildings, restocking supplies | Focuses on reliability and work ethic, with many part-time shifts available. | $13 – $17 per hour |
| Landscaping Assistant | Local landscaping companies, seasonal lawn care businesses | Mowing lawns, planting flowers, trimming trees | Seasonal jobs prioritize physical labor and have less emphasis on background checks. | $14 – $18 per hour |
| Call Center Representative | Customer service outsourcing firms, local businesses | Answering customer calls, resolving inquiries, handling complaints | Many call centers offer evening or weekend part-time shifts and are open to felons. | $14 – $20 per hour |
| Stocker/Inventory Clerk | Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco, grocery stores | Restocking shelves, organizing inventory, unloading shipments | Stocking jobs often take place during off-hours and hire part-time workers. | $13 – $18 per hour |
| Event Staff | Local event venues, catering companies, sports stadiums | Setting up events, serving food, cleaning up afterward | Temporary or part-time event jobs prioritize availability over background. | $13 – $17 per hour |
| Nonprofit/Community Work | Goodwill, Salvation Army, local charities | Assisting in donation sorting, customer service, general labor | Nonprofits often hire felons as part of their mission to support workforce reintegration. | $12 – $15 per hour |
How Far Back Do Most Background Checks Go for Employment in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, most background checks for employment typically go back seven years. However, the exact time frame can vary based on the type of job, employer policies, and the nature of the conviction. Here are the key factors affecting the length of background checks:
1. Standard Background Check Limit (Seven Years)
- Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), negative information such as arrests without convictions is generally reportable for up to seven years.
- Many employers follow this guideline, particularly for non-sensitive or entry-level roles.
2. Exceptions to the Seven-Year Rule
- High-Security Jobs: Positions in finance, healthcare, law enforcement, or jobs involving vulnerable populations may require background checks that go back further than seven years.
- Salaried Jobs Over $75,000: The FCRA does not impose a time limit on reporting criminal convictions if the job offers a salary exceeding $75,000.
3. Felony Convictions
- Felony convictions can appear on a background check indefinitely unless they have been expunged or sealed. However, many employers consider only recent convictions (within the past seven to ten years).
4. Minnesota’s Ban-the-Box Law
- Minnesota has a Ban-the-Box law that prohibits employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications. Employers may only conduct a background check or inquire about criminal records later in the hiring process, reducing early disqualifications.
5. Expungement and Sealing
- Minnesota allows individuals to petition for the expungement of certain criminal records. If successful, these records will not appear in standard employment background checks.
Highest-Paying Felon-Friendly Jobs in Minnesota
Here are some of the highest-paying felon-friendly jobs in Minnesota, including typical employers, roles, and average pay ranges:
| Job Title | Typical Employers | Duties | Average Pay Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Truck Driver | Schneider, Roehl Transport, Swift Transportation | Driving freight across states, maintaining delivery logs | $50,000 – $80,000/year |
| Construction Manager | Ryan Companies, Kraus-Anderson | Overseeing construction projects, coordinating teams | $60,000 – $95,000/year |
| Electrician | Local unions, private contractors | Installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems | $45,000 – $75,000/year |
| Welding Technician | Local manufacturing companies, unions | Assembling and repairing metal components using welding tools | $40,000 – $65,000/year |
| Plumber | Roto-Rooter, local contractors | Installing and repairing plumbing systems | $45,000 – $80,000/year |
| HVAC Technician | Local HVAC companies, service providers | Installing and maintaining heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems | $40,000 – $70,000/year |
| Warehouse Manager | Amazon, FedEx, UPS, Target | Overseeing warehouse operations and logistics | $50,000 – $85,000/year |
| Sales Representative | Verizon, T-Mobile, Home Depot | Selling products/services, managing customer accounts | $50,000 – $90,000/year |
| Mechanic (Automotive or Diesel) | Local auto repair shops, dealerships, trucking companies | Diagnosing and fixing vehicle or machinery issues | $40,000 – $70,000/year |
| Solar Installer/Technician | Solar companies like SunRun, local contractors | Installing and maintaining solar panels | $40,000 – $65,000/year |
Conclusion
Minnesota provides a variety of opportunities for individuals with felony convictions to rebuild their lives and establish stable careers through second-chance employment. From high-paying skilled trades to flexible part-time roles, the state’s diverse job market offers options tailored to different skills and experiences. With supportive laws like Ban-the-Box and numerous felon-friendly companies, Minnesota emphasizes inclusion and rehabilitation, allowing individuals to contribute meaningfully to the workforce. Whether starting fresh in entry-level positions or aiming for lucrative careers, felons in Minnesota have access to resources and opportunities to achieve financial independence and personal growth.
