Guest Author - Evanne Schmarder

Workamping can be a delightful combination of working – earning a bit of money or exchanging your time and efforts for a campsite – and camping. There are literally hundreds of employers that are looking for reliable seasonal employees to help their businesses run smoothly. RVers, typically retired, on sabbatical or on summer leave provide an excellent resource for seasonal help. RVers get the benefit of choosing the part of the country where they’d like to enjoy an extended stay and have the opportunity to make friends, explore the area, and do something fun and rewarding.

Like any other job – and don’t be mistaken, they are jobs, the fit factor is critical. If you are a morning person you certainly don’t want to be scheduled to run the evening reservation desk. If you are a people, people, people person you do not want to work in the stockroom. Some jobs you’ll love and some simply won’t appeal to you. Consider your possible work day when you are looking at positions available in Workamper News or other work-camping ads. Everyone loses when things turn out not as they seemed.

Once you’ve chosen a “season” – typically winter or summer, a part of the country you’d like to visit, and a few employers in the area offering jobs you’re interested in you’ll apply for positions. Chances are you’ll be called for an interview. Don’t waste your time and gas money or the prospective employer’s good faith in hiring you if the fit factor isn’t there. How can you know for sure? You can’t. What you can do, however, is talk about the things that are important to you by asking questions. The more you know about the job, conditions, compensation, etc. the better prepared you’ll be to accept or decline an offer.

I created this handy checklist so I wouldn’t miss any of my “important” fit factor questions. Personalize it, print it out as many copies as you have interviews and ask away. The employer will appreciate your thoroughness and determination to make the best decision. After all, they may be interviewing you but you are interviewing them as well. Make it a good fit – this way everybody wins.

Campground _________________ Contact _______________

TL/Woodall’s Rating: ___/___/___ $___/night

____ What is the compensation package? Hourly? Site? Hookups (W/S/E/CTV)?

____ Is there a telephone hookup at our site?

____ Is internet available at our site? What type? _____________ Fee? _______

____ Do you offer an assignment completion bonus?

____ Where will our site be located in the park? Site size? Pull thru or backin? Room for an awning/screen room/slide outs?

____ How long is the job? Expected start and end dates? Is there a busy “season” - if so when?

____ What are the job duties that will be expected of us? Will there be variety? Bathroom detail?

____ How many hours are expected of each of us? Shift hours? Days off? Together? Our preferences are __________.

____ If time off (during the season) is needed how is it arranged?

____ What is the dress code? Are work shirts provided?

____ How often will we be paid? In what form - cash or check? Are taxes deducted? Do you offer direct deposit?

____ Will you expect us to sign a written contract? Will it mention all of the above information?

____ Do the owners/managers live on site?

____ Do you have other Workamper couples? How many? More than last year? Any returning Workampers?

____ Any other workers besides Workampers? If so, are they returning from last year?

____ Do you use contractors for any of your parks needs?

____ Is the park gated? Do you have full time security? If not, when do you have a guard on duty?

____ How many sites? Seasonals - how many? Do you accept tenters - how many?

____ How is your water pressure? Radio/TV(if no CTV)/cell phone reception?

____ What amenities are on site? May we use them?

____ Is there a laundry on site? What is the fee per load? Do we rec’v laundry subsidy?

____ Is there propane on site? What is the cost per gallon? Do we rec’v a propane subsidy?

____ May we have guests - daily and overnight? Is there a fee to us?

____ How close is a decent grocery store? Walmart, etc.? Church?

____ Do we rec’v store discounts (if applicable)?

____ Is the park wooded/open/pavement?

____ How quiet is the park? Is there any train/airport/highway noise?

____ Please discuss the area that your campground is located in and the attractions nearby.

____ Anything else you’d like us to know as we consider your workamper position?