WIB, Partners Help Family Dollar Recruit Local Workers for Distribution Center

The effort to fill 465 jobs at the new state-of-the-art 907,000 square foot Family Dollar Distribution Center being built at Griffiss Park has begun.

Working together the Herkimer, Madison and Oneida County Workforce System through the Working Solutions Centers are helping them find the best, most-qualified people possible. This new distribution center will provide opportunity for hundreds of local residents who are looking for employment and career advancement.

David Mathis, Director of the Office of Workforce Development, said that Family Dollar has a three-phase process that is just beginning and will continue through next April.

Phase one is an on-line pre-screening. On-line pre-screening will begin immediately. Anyone interested in employment can fill out some basic information and send it on line to Family Dollar. Mathis urged the more than 1,000 people who have expressed interest in Family Dollar jobs to access the Web site from their homes, libraries or any other site with an Internet connection.

Pre-screening paves the way for the next step – orientation sessions. Orientations are being held at all four Working Solutions offices – Rome, Oneida, Herkimer, and Utica. The orientations allow potential applicants to better understand the positions that are being filled and complete the necessary application and registration forms as well as assessments. Each session lasts about two hours. “Multiple sessions per week are being held to accommodate all those interested in this great opportunity,” Mathis said. “We will make sure that every person who has the potential to work for Family Dollar has the chance to participate in this process.” The process began October 31st and will continue until March.

Potential employees will then be interviewed by Family Dollar human resources staff. Most interviews will be conducted at the Rome Working Solutions office, located on the Rome campus of MVCC. “Staff from Workforce Development, MVCC and Mohawk Valley EDGE have been working closely with Family Dollar to make sure that their needs are being met,” Mathis said. “We are very excited to have Family Dollar in Oneida County, and we want to do everything possible to help them with the greatest investment they make – their workforce.”

Family Dollar, which requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and able to work a full 40 hour week, is seeking individuals in the following areas: Production, Fleet, Clerical and Maintenance. Family Dollar is a drug-free employer. In addition to highly competitive wages, Family Dollar offers benefits including:

• Paid Vacation, Holidays & Sick Leave
• Paid Shift Differentials (Hourly Associates)
• No Split or Rotating Shifts
• Annual Merit Increases
• Pre-tax Medical & Dental Insurance + Prescription Drug Benefits
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan & Stock Purchase Plan
• Extensive Training Programs with Career Advancement