Here are some ideas for RVer jobs on the road. There are lots of RVers who successfully work while traveling, in all kinds of different fields. So consider the possibilities ? they will probably trigger some other thoughts in your own mind.
Work-camping: We?ll use the term ?work-camping? here to refer to the working at a campground in exchange for a free or discounted campsite and/or wage. These RVer jobs in campgrounds might include office work, reservations, sales, grounds maintenance, handy-person, housekeeping, running social activities, and so on.
But work-camping in a broader sense encompasses RVer jobs in places beyond campgrounds (theme parks, national and regional parks, museums, marinas, wildlife preserves, resorts, etc.). The term work-camping can be used to refer to just about any kind of job that is done by the RVer. In fact, to many of us, it means Workampers, a website and organization that has really promoted the concept of RVer jobs, and is a great resource for anyone interested in working on the road. We have enjoyed our workamper experiences.
Seasonal jobs: Working RVers often find work on Christmas tree farms and retail lots. There are also apt to be more short term retail jobs in the stores near the holidays. In the fall, check out the pumpkin patch. You might be able to pick up some work at a florist during the major flower-giving holidays, or at garden centers or nurseries in springtime. Fishing communities or ski resorts may need help during peak seasons. Look for agricultural RVer jobs in orchards or farms, where more help is needed to support a seasonal harvest.Property Caretaker: This type of work runs the gamut from house-sitting during the owner?s vacation to full-blown management of an estate or other large property. You might find situations that are very specific about the work to be performed or those that expect general caretaking of various things.
Tasks might include yard work (mowing the lawn, weeding, garden care), housekeeping, pet care, checking mail or ensuring the general security of the home. A fulltime professional caretaker may fully manage all aspects of the property. Work might be found in a resort, inn, ranch, hunting or fishing lodge, wild life preserve, vacation home, etc.
Compensation may just be the accommodation itself ? staying in the home or property. This might not be an ideal RVer job for an RVer who already has a place to stay. But sometimes there is also a salary offered, or you can negotiate with the property owner. You might find opportunities on properties where you can stay in your RV. And some of the assignments may be so interesting that they are worthwhile for the experience alone. Some sites that might be helpful include HomeCares.com or Caretaker-Jobs.com. For the pet-lover, a site that focuses on pet care jobs is Pet-Sitters.biz.
Tax forms: Another RVer job might be tax form preparation. Get trained and go to work remotely or at a local tax form preparation office.
Theme and amusement parks: Often they are looking for reliable help for games, rides, souvenir sales or concession stands. The International Association of Amusement Park Attractions (IAAPA) usually holds an annual job fair in Orlando Florida. CoolWorks.com is another site with related possibilities for RVer jobs.Tourist areas: These areas may have a good share of work opportunities. In addition to tour guides and RVer jobs at tourist attractions, these areas will tend to have more restaurants and retail establishments. There may be jobs doing landscaping or maintenance or remodeling. Check out what the tourists do, where they stay and where they go ? you are likely to get some ideas for potential jobs.
Casino towns: You might consider possibilities for RVer jobs in a casino. Gambling is becoming more widespread than just the biggies like Las Vegas. And casino jobs don?t mean you have to qualify to work the gaming tables. Casinos have restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Many are affiliated with a hotel or resort. Workers are needed in maintenance, housekeeping, food service, retail, hospitality, maybe even entertainment.
Sales: You might work on the road selling products targeted to RVers, traveling a circuit that aligns with some of the many RV rallies and shows. Or you may seek work as a distributor that enables you maximum flexibility in where you travel.
Other RVer jobs include selling products targeted to campgrounds (campground maps or advertising, WiFi services, etc.).
Southeast Publications USA Inc. gives it's associates the opportunity to travel the U.S.A., camp for free and make money while doing it. They offer free campground maps to the RV parks in return for a two week stay for their sales associates. While staying in the park, associates find advertising for the map from the surrounding businesses. This pays for the map and provides supplemental income. Visit www.sepub.com for more information.
Or you might go to work selling something not related to RVs at all, but where your RV lifestyle gives you the flexibility to travel where the prospective employer needs a presence. Or perhaps you have your own product or service to sell.
Flea markets are another venue to sell products. Maybe you make arts and crafts items. Or you want to buy items along your journey for resale at flea markets. Or your traveling lifestyle might make you an ideal candidate to promote products for another company or individual.
Rewards for Taking Surveys: You might want to give survey taking a try. You provide input on new products and your individual buying behavoir and experience. In turn, you earn points that can be redeemed for cash or prizes.
Online businesses: Lots of possibilities here for RVer jobs. Site Sell, of course, is a great place to start. Create and sell e-goods. Become an Infopreneur, publishing information about topics you know and love. Promote an offline business to generate sales online. Create and/or market e-goods. Act as a sales or rental agent, affiliate, online distributor. Use the web for net auctions, Multi-Level Marketing, or to earn money via referral or finders fees. You can learn more about some of these prospects with FREE ebooks you can download instantly.
Skill-Specific Work: If you have a specific skill or profession, look for work in that field. You may be able to find short term assignments or work you can do on the road. As an example, one of our readers wrote to tell us that her husband does work as a pipe welder, finding work such as shutdowns and turnarounds for refineries, ethanol plants etc. Put your skills and prior experience to work for you - consider the possibilities.
Temporary Services: Look into some of the temporary agencies such as Kelly Services or Manpower. Since the nature of these jobs is temporary, there may be a good match for a traveling RVer.
Tour Guides: Possibilities include work in local tourist areas and attractions, museums, parks, historical sites, and the like. Perhaps you would like to get involved in walking tours or costumed tours of heritage buildings. Depending on your interests, you might want to look into companies that offer adventure tours or RV caravan trips.
Writing: If you are already a writer, you may be all set with a job you can take anywhere. If you have just pondered the idea of writing as a way to make money, then it might be a good time to nurture those thoughts. There are different types of writer jobs and ways to turn writing skills into income. For some ideas, take a look at some FREE downloadable e-books.
Job Fairs offer a good place to look for RVer jobs. There is usually a big job fair in Quartzsite Arizona in January.And there are a number of books that have been written by working RVers about jobs on the road. In our view, one of the best ways to learn is from those who have ?been there, done that?. Some good resources: Retire to an RV and Support Your RV Lifestyle.
Volunteering: If your primary motivation is not monetary, then volunteer positions might be for you. Volunteer opportunities can be found with state and national parks, Army Corp. of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife Service, Habitat for Humanity and the list goes on.
Here are some helpful links:
Some considerations for working on the road...
