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19 Legit Methods to Find Jobs for Felons in Austin in 2023

By Last update August 3, 2022
Austin Texas cityscape

Finding a job is difficult, but for someone with a criminal record it is even more difficult. This article will assist you and hopefully make it less difficult by giving you resources to help you in finding jobs for felons in Austin, Texas. This article has information on some top companies in Austin that will be most likely to hire you.

Austin is the state capital of Texas and has over 950,000 people. It is in Travis County, with portions in Hays and Williamson counties and is the 11th largest city in the U.S. Austin is very culturally diverse and has a very strong economy, with over 70,000 companies. Major businesses in the Austin-Round Rock area include business and financial services, defense/security, information technology, telecommunications, and manufacturing.

Want to find a new job in Austin? We’ve directly contacted over 1,000 companies to find out about their hiring of former felons. We have also examined large businesses in the Austin area and identified several of the most likely companies that hire felons in Austin. The objective of this article is to simplify and make your job search more productive. Our website also contains a lot of great information. It is tough out there for people with criminal records, and we understand what you are going through from first-hand experience. We are here to help you be successful in your job search and provide you with the benefit of our experiences and knowledge.

Jobs that hire felons in Austin

Austin Texas downtown

We have an excellent search tool to help you! Just fill in the fields like job type or industry to narrow your search for jobs that hire felons in Austin. Below is a list of the ten employers that are likely to hire former felons in Austin.

Top companies that hire felons in Austin

Which companies are the most likely to hire a former felon in Austin? Austin has a wide array of industries and companies. There are lots of opportunities, if you look in the right places. The list below should give you a good selection of options to look at.

Former felons always have challenges finding good jobs. If you are struggling to get a higher level job, then focusing on entry-level jobs may give you better results. Entry-level positions almost always have the least requirements and are also the most likely to accept someone with a criminal record. Temporary jobs with staffing agencies are also a great source because they often require little to no education or experience.

Our list of companies will save you a lot of effort by providing the largest companies that are most likely to hire felons in Austin. Click on the company name to go directly to its section, or just continue to see all of them.

The Oasis on Lake Travis

Whole Foods Market

Top Choice Lawn Care

Applied Materials

Flextronics

Method Hair

Katz Builders

Hilton Austin

Schlumberger

Austin’s Automotive Specialists

When seeking a new job, you always need to have a resume ready. A crisp, professionally written, and up-to-date resume is always the best first step to get you in the door. Our website has a wonderful and comprehensive guide to making a resume for people with a record.

The Oasis on Lake Travis

That’s right, the iconic restaurant could be the right spot for you. The Oasis is a giant restaurant that is often hiring. If you’ve got the right attitude, drop off your resume!

Promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Dishwasher
  • Server
  • Cook
  • Bartender
  • Line Cook

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market is a multinational supermarket chain headquartered in Austin. They are well known for selling products that do not have hydrogenated fats, artificial colors/flavors, and preservatives. From their website, “We believe our customers should know where our products come from, how they’re grown and what ingredients they contain.” They have a variety of entry level type positions in the Austin area.

Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Produce Team Member
  • Cashier
  • Specialty Service Team Member
  • Prepared Foods
  • Distribution Center Receiver
  • Grocery Shopper

Top Choice Lawn Care

Feel like taking on lawn care? Top Choice Lawn Care is one of the biggest landscapers in Austin and has a really solid industry reputation. You’ll need to be able to do physical labor and work outside a lot, if you’re not going for an office position.

Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Administration
  • Landscaper
  • Technician
  • Maintenance
  • Designer

Applied Materials

Applied Materials, Inc. is a major manufacturer and supplier of equipment, services, and software for the companies that make semiconductor (integrated circuit) chips for electronics, flat panel displays for computers, smartphones, televisions, and solar products. They also provide equipment to produce coatings for flexible electronics and packaging. Here are some good entry level jobs to look for.

Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Customer Engineer I
  • Material Handler
  • Field Service
  • Assembler
  • Manufacturing Technician I

Flextronics

Flextronics is a multinational company that produces electronics and manufacturing services to original equipment manufacturers (OEM). They also support worldwide supply chain services including packaging and transportation. They are a major employer in the Austin area and have a number of good entry-level opportunities.

Promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Machine Operator
  • Quality Technician
  • Operation Clerk
  • Material Coordinator
  • Material Handler

Method Hair

Working on hair can be both a physical and a social job. If you have the stamina for both, consider Method Hair. You’ll have long shifts of standing and using your shoulders, but you’ll enjoy the work and there are tips.

Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Administration
  • Hair Stylist
  • Waxer
  • Barber
  • Makeup Artist

Katz Builders

Getting into construction is always a safe bet. And Austin builds year-round! You’re bound to find something that fits your needs. Katz Builders offers a lot of work to those who are willing to do the work. They focus mostly on remodels and additions, so there’s lots to learn as well!

Promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Framer
  • Drywaller
  • Painter
  • HVAC
  • General Labor

Hilton Austin

The Hilton Austin Hotel is the third-largest hotel in Austin and has over 80 rooms. It is the sixth-tallest hotel and twenty-second tallest building in Austin. They employ over 500 people in the Austin area and a lot of open opportunities.

Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Server Assistant
  • Guest Service Agent
  • Laundry Attendant
  • Housekeeping
  • Cook

Schlumberger

It wouldn’t be a city in Texas if we didn’t include an energy company! Schlumberger runs oil rigs and is getting into alternate sources as well. If you haven’t seen the name before, you definitely should look them up now!

Promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Rig Worker
  • General Labor
  • Account Receivables
  • Buyer / Planner

Austin’s Automotive Specialists

There’s something about being able to fix your own car. If you have those skills or professional training in automotive, Austin’s Automotive Specialists is the first garage you should look to. They’re well-established and are often hiring!

Promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Mechanic
  • Administration
  • General Labor
  • Parts Department
  • Custodial

Trucking jobs for felons in Austin

Trucking is a big industry everywhere and has a good record for hiring former felons. Many companies provide training for starting out as a trucker.

If you’re looking for trucking jobs for felons in Austin, here are some of the top companies:

  • Sysco
  • Central Freight Lines
  • XPOLogistics
  • Old Dominion Freight Line
  • DHL

Warehouse jobs for felons in Austin

Warehouses always provide a lot of job opportunities such as loaders, handlers, forklift operators, drivers, and administrative roles. Below are some companies to look at for warehouse jobs. You can also find the same types of jobs at any company with a warehouse or shipping department.

Here are some of the top warehouse jobs for felons in Austin:

  • Alamo Industrial Inc.
  • Simpl Fulfillment
  • Ryder
  • Austin’s Couch Potatoes Furniture
  • Austin Warehouse & Distribution

Temp agency jobs for felons in Austin

If you need additional help finding a job, then going to staffing agencies is a smart move to get you hired fast. Checking out temp agency jobs for felons in Austin are a great overall source of opportunities, and luckily there are many employment agency jobs for felons in Austin.

Here are some of the best local agencies: 

  • Austin Staffing, Inc.
  • Reliable Staffing
  • The HT Group
  • Peak Performers
  • Kelly Services

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Austin

Texas does not have a Ban the Box law, but the city of Austin does. A Ban the Box law means that employers can no longer ask prospective employees about their criminal history and are expected to look at a candidate’s qualifications.

There are second chance and job training programs for felons in Austin that assist former felons. These programs provide a variety of resources for legal aid, medical, financial, education and more.

Resources for former felons in Austin:

  • Texas Department of Criminal Justice Reentry and Integration Division
    • Mission: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Reentry and Integration Division’s actions are guided by legislative mandates, proven best practices and a set of core values designed to establish a comprehensive reentry and integration plan for Offenders involved in the adult criminal justice system.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment, Legal, Mental Health
  • Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable (A/TCRRT)
    • Mission: Is to be a robust collaborative promoting safe and healthy communities through effective reentry and reintegration of formerly incarcerated persons and individuals with criminal histories.
    • Services offered: Employment, Family, Housing, Legal, Medical, and Mental Health
  • Front Steps
    • Mission: Front Steps provides a pathway home for our neighbors experiencing homelessness by offering emergency shelter, affordable housing, recuperative medical care, supportive services, and community awareness.
    • Services offered: Housing (Shelter sleep, Programming for homeless veterans and their families, Permanent housing for eligible clients (case-by-case basis), Day services, including showers, restrooms, internet, laundry, etc., in accordance to posted hours), Legal (Case management to secure housing).
  • The Texas Jail Project
    • Mission: Is to empower Texas families to find services and solutions for incarcerated loved ones in crisis and to transform Texas county jails into more humane, healthier facilities.
    • Services offered: Family, Medical
  • Texas Inmate Families Association (TIFA)
    • Mission: Is to break the cycle of crime by strengthening families through support, education, and advocacy. TIFA also provides parole workshops as well as online resources for our members.
    • Services offered: 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.