St. Louis launches hiring drive for 200 city positions, with public event January 23

Large seasonal push centers on parks and forestry staffing

The City of St. Louis is moving to hire 200 limited-term utility workers for the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, with openings concentrated in the Parks and Forestry divisions. The hiring effort is tied to a public recruitment event scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at the SLATE Missouri Job Center in downtown St. Louis.

City officials described the recruitment as a major effort to fill outdoor, hands-on roles that can function either as seasonal work or as a starting point for longer-term city employment. The event is open to the public and is expected to include screening interviews with hiring managers.

Hiring event details and what applicants can expect

The recruitment event is set for 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the SLATE Missouri Job Center, 1520 Market St., Suite 3050. The City and SLATE plan to provide application assistance on-site. Applicants are expected to bring state-issued identification or a driver’s license.

Event details: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026; 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; SLATE Missouri Job Center, 1520 Market St., Suite 3050.

Additional seasonal openings: lifeguards and recreation assistants

Alongside the 200 utility worker openings, the City is also recruiting for seasonal positions in the Recreation Division, including lifeguards and recreation assistants. Requirements vary by role, including minimum age thresholds and skill expectations.

• Lifeguards: applicants must be at least 15 years old at the time of application and must have swimming ability.
• Recreation assistants: applicants must have experience participating in coaching or officiating sports activities.
• Utility workers (Parks & Forestry): applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application; Parks Division applicants must have a driver’s license.

How to prepare before arriving

Job seekers are encouraged to bring a resume to speed up the process. SLATE also operates resume-building workshops twice weekly—Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.—for applicants who want help preparing materials ahead of the hiring day.

The City also directs candidates to apply online in advance to reduce wait times at the event. Interviews are expected to take place on site as part of screening for available roles.

Workforce context and recruitment approach

The City’s recruitment materials emphasize open access to public-sector employment, including that city residency is not required for city jobs. The City also describes itself as a second-chance employer, indicating that qualified candidates with past justice system involvement are not automatically excluded from consideration.