What is a Workamper?
Workampers are typically people who choose to live in their RVs, working seasonal jobs, in order to see the country and experience freedom from a typical 9-5 career type of job. At Three Rivers Resort, we hire up to 30+ Workampers each summer season. We provide a full hookup RV site for them and they, in turn, fill many of our jobs including in the Accounting office, Restaurant, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Auto mechanics, Office, Store and even key management positions. They are a vital part of our staffing mix each year.
Evolving Workforce Niche
When we began hiring Workampers 20 years ago, it was a niche group of workers who were mostly retired from career jobs and in the 60+ age group. They just wanted a way to see the country with little expense and make some money along the way. With the remote working explosion, especially post-pandemic, we are now seeing an evolution in this pool of workers. The average age of Workampers is trending downward and many are now in their 30s, 40s and even on the road full time with young children. As workers decided to leave cities and the “rat race” after the pandemic, many chose to downsize their lives and opt for quality of living vs. having a home full of things that requires two full-time incomes and very little free time.
How to Get Started
Taking this leap in lifestyle requires a lot of courage and sacrifice (at least in space and material goods). There are two kinds of Workampers: 1) Those who jump all in, sell their homes, most possessions and live full time in an RV. They are called “full timers.” 2) Those who keep a home or some sort of a “base” to store their things but who live in their RV and take Workamper jobs part of the year. Both options require living minimally while on the road in an RV.
After figuring out the living situation and purchasing a camper van or RV, it’s time to search for a Workamping job. Years ago, there was one main source and publication called Workamper News. It was a magazine with job listings by state and many of the jobs were for volunteer camp hosts in exchange for a parking space. Workamper News is still a great resource both for employers and employees. The format has moved away from monthly magazines to their website and Facebook page as primary resources. While there are many new free Facebook groups advertising Workamping jobs, Workamper News provides so much more than just job listings. For those just getting started, they provide great resources on how to get started, employer reviews, resume templates, job fairs, tips and even podcasts. We were recently featured on their podcast and received over a dozen inquiries just from that one broadcast.
To look at job listings, it is also useful to join the Facebook groups like:
Workampers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/366783590070077
We Need Workampers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/626513109520276
These groups provide a lot of insight into the types of jobs available, pay rates, benefits and community tips about the lifestyle or specific employers. Just be careful as you read the community comments and do your own research as you will read many different opinions about employers, locations and jobs.
Jobs and Benefits
The Workamping jobs these days are no longer just volunteer camp host jobs in exchange for an RV site. With younger Workampers choosing this lifestyle as a career, it is now necessary for Workampers to actually make a living wage, so they are prioritizing employers who offer an RV site at no charge and who pay for “all hours worked.” The jobs offered now also range from seasonal “fun” jobs to actual management jobs where workers are performing all aspects of operating a business.
As someone who writes the ads and hires many Workampers each year, I love to browse through the job listings to see what is offered. The array of jobs is surprising from the traditional campground store and maintenance jobs to assisting in a winery tasting room or taking care of boats at a marina. As enticing as a job or location might be, it is important to honestly assess your skills and willingness to do a particular job. We have had applicants say they are up for anything. When they are hired for a housekeeping job, they know it will be dirty and physically demanding with lifting and cleaning on hands and knees. However, upon arrival and starting the job here in our high elevation location, some quickly realize that they are unable to do the work.
Throughout the interview, reference checking and hiring process, it is important to have a list of questions handy so that you can thoroughly know as much as possible about the employer and expectations for:
- Days/hours required to work each week.
- Benefits like a “free” RV site vs. a charge in dollars or hours and what about utilities?
- What other benefits are offered such as business discounts, meal or laundry allowances, activities or gear rentals, company sponsored events.
- What is the work environment like – corporate, family-owned/operated, management on site, supportive workplace with adequate training?
- What are the RV sites like? Hookups, bath house, shaded, wifi, tv?
- What is the pay structure and are any incentives offered like raises or end of season bonuses?
- Is there a written work contract/agreement and do they seem professional?
- What is the schedule like and will it allow for at least two days off in a row together (especially for couples)? This is important because typically Workampers take jobs in locations they want to explore and having the time off to do that is key.
This is just a start to the list of questions that may be relevant but it’s also important to notice things like whether they care to check your references or not. If not, they may be desperate and if they are, why? Is the company contact person timely in responding to your applications, inquiries and questions? Does the company seem organized and experienced in this hiring process? With time, you will become more attuned to how well run an organization is or whether it seems a bit chaotic.
Three Rivers Resort Workampers
Because we have been hiring Workampers for 20 years, our process is pretty well dialed in. Having been a full-time Workamper at one time and introducing the program to Three Rivers Resort, I also understand the needs and priorities of the Workamper applicants. I can say with total sincerity and gratitude that we really appreciate our Workampers and value them as key members of our staff.
Our general Workamper offerings include a full hookup RV site at no charge in dollars or wage hours. All utilities are included. Some sites have access to the resort Wifi, while others do not. Anymore, most Workampers come with their own Starlink or Wifi hot spot. We ask for full-time work and hopefully a full season commitment for each Workamper, whether it is a couple or a solo occupying the RV site. Yes, we do hire solos and we also hire couples where one may work from home in the RV. For those couples, we charge a minimal monthly fee for the non-working member of the family. For Workamper couples, they will always be granted at least two days off in a row together so they can explore the area. In addition to the standard employee discounts and free raft trip and gear rentals, we also sponsor several employee social events and parties. I always say that living and working here at the resort is a bit like being at paid summer camp!
If you or someone you know, may be interested in Workamping with us for a season or two, please check our Jobs page for the online application and general update on job openings. Our prime recruiting season for the next summer starts the year before in the fall. With certainty, I can say that we are almost always looking for housekeepers and restaurant cooks but depending on returning staff, we will be looking to fill every position including front desk, activities desk, accounting office, maintenance, auto mechanic, fly fishing shop, raft guides, fishing guides, shuttle drivers, raft trip photographers, restaurant servers, bartenders and occasionally seasonal management positions. Fill out an application because we would love to talk to you!
**Housing note: we also have shared employee housing on site for those who want to work but do not have an RV.**
Jen Bickford has been a manager with Three Rivers Resort since 2004. She is primarily in charge of Human Resources and Marketing, after serving 20 years as the General Manager.
