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18 Sure Methods of Finding Jobs for Felons in Chesapeake in 2023

By Last update September 28, 2022
Chesapeake Virginia landscape

We understand how difficult it is for a justice-involved person to find a good, stable job, and we’ve been there. This article will give you some good information and specific companies to look at for jobs for felons in Chesapeake, Virginia. 

We have a great team of researchers that have contacted over 1,000 companies in the US to see what their attitudes are towards hiring former felons. Then we targeted Chesapeake’s economy and found the best places someone with a record should apply for work, so you don’t have to struggle to find the right fit for you. We also have some good information about preparing to find a job and where to go if you need additional help. Read on! 

Jobs that hire felons in Chesapeake

Chesapeake Virginia cityscape

Coastal Virginia is ranked one of the top six regions in the US for recreation. The Chesapeake Bay has the largest estuary in the US, stretching close to 200 miles right from the Susquehanna River to the Atlantic. The bay is very shallow — its average depth is around 21 feet — and is home to over 350 fish species, plus over one million waterfowl come to winter in the region. There are many area businesses that support recreational activities, as well as many other industries.

If you are in Virginia and you are looking for jobs that hire felons in Chesapeake, then you need to use our great job search tool. You can narrow your search to just the types of jobs you are looking for by using keywords such as job type or industry.

Top companies that hire felons in Chesapeake

Justice-involved folks looking for a job will have the best success when they focus on entry-level positions. They are more plentiful, have the least requirements, and have a higher probability of not requiring a background check. Consider this if you are having challenges landing a job.

Another great source of jobs is employment and temp agencies. They have many different types of jobs available and are great for assisting with locating jobs for people in your situation. So, if you need to find a job quickly, then take a look at employment agency jobs for felons in Chesapeake.

The next section of this article will give you a list of specific companies that hire felons in Chesapeake. You can click on the company name below to jump to that section, or just keep scrolling down to read through all of them. 

Cox Communications

Food Lion

Oceaneering International

Plasser and Theurer

Flowserve

Harris Teeter

Hall MileOne Autogroup

LTD Hospitality

Yupo

Mr. Rogers Windows and Doors

To prepare for your job search, you will need to have a well written and updated resume. If you need help putting together your resume, then check out or excellent guide to making a resume for people with a record.

Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a family-owned company that provides digital cable television provider, telecommunications and home automation services. They are the largest private broadband provider in the US, and tout their diversity, investment in their people, communities, and networks. They have a variety of good jobs in telecom.

Some promising jobs for former felons:

  • Inbound Sales Representative
  • Customer Care Specialist
  • Retail Sales
  • Sales Support Specialist
  • Cloud Support Technician

Food Lion

Food Lion is a regional grocery store chain operating over 1,100 supermarkets in 10 Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states (Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia). They employ over 63,000 people. They have many grocery retail positions available at multiple locations locally.

Some good opportunities to look for:

  • Center Store
  • Store Associate
  • Customer Service Leader
  • Produce
  • Frozen

Oceaneering International

Oceaneering International, Inc. is a subsea engineering and applied technology company that provides engineered services and hardware to clients worldwide including oil and gas companies, government agencies, and firms in the aerospace, marine engineering and construction industries. They offer remotely-operated vehicle services, oilfield subsea hardware, deepwater intervention, manned diving services, non-destructive testing and inspections, engineering, project management, and surveying services.

Some solid jobs for former felons:

  • Machinist
  • PipeFitter
  • Welder
  • Rigger
  • Quality Inspector

Plasser and Theurer

Plasser & Theurer is a manufacturer of rail track maintenance and track-laying machinery. It is a privately owned company, with over 3,000 employees and over $300 million in annual revenue (2008). They are an Austrian company, but have a major operation in the Chesapeake area and have a number of job openings.

Great jobs for former felons:

  • Administrative Coordinator
  • Manufacturing
  • Railroad Machinery Operator
  • Mechanic
  • Pneumatics Assembler

Flowserve

The Flowserve Corporation is a multinational company and one of the largest suppliers of industrial and environmental machinery (pumps, valves, end face mechanical seals, automation) and services to the power, oil, gas, chemical and other industries. The Flowserve name was established in 1997 when BW/IP and Durco International merged. They have over 18,000 employees in 55 countries.

Promising jobs for former felons:

  • Machinist
  • Assembler
  • Buyer
  • Production Planner
  • Materials

Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc., (Harris Teeter Neighborhood Food & Pharmacy) is a supermarket chain with over 261 stores in seven states (North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia). They were acquired by the Kroger Company in 2014. Grocery stores offer shift work in various departments, so you’re bound to find a fit!

Some great opportunities, for former felons:

  • Dairy Frozen Clerk
  • Cashier
  • Store Management
  • Bagger
  • Customer Service Clerk

Hall MileOne Autogroup

Hall is a major automotive dealer and service center. They were founded in 1972 and are a premier auto group in the several Virginia and North Carolina areas. Hall Auto provides full service auto sales, repairs, and financing. They have a variety of good openings.

Promising jobs for former felons:

  • Lane Attendant
  • Car Sales associate
  • Automotive Service Advisor
  • Service Porter
  • Cashier

LTD Hospitality

LTD Hospitality is a medium-sized company that provides hotel management and operations. They were founded in 1983, have around 750 employees, and an annual revenue of over $66 million. They are headquartered in Chesapeake and have a number of solid openings. 

Some good job opportunities for former felons:

  • Attendant
  • Front Desk
  • Restaurant Server
  • Houseman
  • Laundry Attendant

Yupo

Yupo Corporation America is a small manufacturer of synthetic paper. They were founded in 1996, are based in Chesapeake, and operate a 160,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility located in Chesapeake. Yupo sells their products in South America and Canada, as well as major markets in the US.

Great entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Support Technician
  • Sales Representative
  • Buyer
  • Mechanical Maintenance
  • Warehouse Technician

Mr. Rogers Windows and Doors

Mr. Rogers Windows and Doors is a local installer for Renewal by Andersen replacement windows and doors in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and surrounding areas. They are based in Chesapeake, were founded in 1986, and have an annual revenue of over $7.4 million. They have some good positions and opportunities.

Promising jobs for former felons:

  • Event Manager
  • Assistant Sales Manager
  • Crew Leader
  • Window Installer
  • Outside Sales Representative

Trucking jobs for felons in Chesapeake

The delivery of goods with trucks is the lifeblood of the US economy. This means that jobs in trucking are always available, and truck drivers are in high demand. The trucking industry also has a solid history of hiring justice-involved people. If you like driving, then you should consider a job in trucking.

Below are a few companies to check out for trucking jobs for felons in Chesapeake:

  • Givens Trucking Co Inc.
  • Lucia Specialized Hauling of VA, Inc.
  • Bay West Transport
  • Greensville Transport Co
  • A&R Logistics

Warehouse jobs for felons in Chesapeake

If you are looking for some consistent and active work, then you should check out warehouse jobs for felons in Chesapeake. Warehouses are almost always looking for good workers and have lots of different positions. Most large companies have warehouse operations, so you don’t have to just look at warehouse companies. Consider large retailers as well!

Here are some warehouse businesses to look at:

  • World Distribution Services Chesapeake
  • GSI Warehousing Inc.
  • Expeditors Warehouse
  • Americold Logistics
  • Continental Terminal Inc.

Temp agency jobs for felons in Chesapeake

Employment agencies are a great resource for reducing your job search efforts and finding a job quickly, even if temporarily. There are many good companies that can assist you with landing temp agency jobs for felons in Chesapeake that could even lead to long-term work.

Here are some of the better agencies in the area:

  • Vaco
  • Maxim Staffing
  • Tidewater Staffing
  • PeopleShare Chesapeake
  • Express Employment Professionals Chesapeake

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Chesapeake

In 2020, Virginia enacted laws that prohibit Virginia employers from asking an applicant for admission to an educational institution or for employment about prior criminal arrests, charges, or convictions. They may ask during or after an interview, however.

If you are finding yourself having difficulties adjusting to your justice involved situation, and need some help beyond just finding a job, then check out second chance and job training programs for felons in Chesapeake.

Resources for former felons in Chesapeake:

  • CARES T.E.A.M.
    • Mission: The Norfolk Department of Human Services uses a community-based approach to integrate human services and public safety. We work with City of Norfolk residents who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony charge.
    • Services offered: Education
  • Step-Up, Inc.
    • Mission: To help re-integrate offenders into society by providing them the knowledge, skills and training they will need in order to make a successful transition from a correctional facility to the rest of their lives.
    • Services offered: Education, Family, Mental Health
  • City of Virginia Beach Human Services Department
    • Mission: This program is designed to assist residents transition from state commitment to their home community. The goal is to assist residents in becoming successful, productive and contributing members of their community and society.
    • Services offered: Education
  • Arm and Arm
    • Mission: Arm & Arm’s mission is to empower individuals returning home from incarceration & veterans with tools that will enable them to make rational evaluations of themselves, their situations, and their circumstances, and then make healthy and proactive decisions, as they navigate their way back into society.
    • Services offered: Mental Health
  • Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged (RIHD)
    • Mission: RIHD, an all-volunteer, non-partisan Virginia-based organization working together to improve the effectiveness and fairness of Virginia’s justice system.
    • Services offered: Education, Family
Garland Brewster headshot

After a successful 25-year career in the IT industry, Garland is now a Reentry Educator with The Relaunchpad. He has significant experience writing documents (resumes, LinkedIn profiles, etc.) and advising job seekers. Garland shares his experience overcoming legal challenges to help others in similar circumstances move forward and find happiness and prosperity.