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At Relaunch Pad, we have personally experienced the hardship of looking for work with a felony conviction on your record. That is why we have assembled this article to help you find jobs for felons in Detroit. We have also made a point of contacting over 1,000 employers to learn about their hiring policy for former offenders.
Detroit is a large community, with a population of around 670,000. Large populations also tend to yield a large job market, but it can still be difficult to find work if you don’t know where to look.
Jobs that hire felons in Detroit
Beneath this text you will find a search feature, and some employer listings filled with businesses that are likely to hire former offenders in the Detroit area. Fill in the fields to narrow down your search for jobs that hire felons in Detroit by categories such as job type or industry. Detroit is, of course, well known for its contributions to the automotive industry. However, there are a wide range of different career options available.
Top companies that hire felons in Detroit
It’s hard to know where to look when it comes to finding employers that will take on a former offender. You may decide to search by industry, or salary, but in doing so will likely miss out on some jobs that you are qualified for.
This article includes all types of jobs. The entry-level positions listed below have been selected because they are more likely to hire former offenders, making each one a good opportunity to find work. Click on the company to jump to its section, or read on for more!
When applying for work, your resume makes all the difference. Not sure yours is up to snuff? Why don’t you spruce it up a little by reading this guide on how to make a resume with a criminal record.
Ford
Detroit has always been known for its relationship with the automotive industry. Ford has a large production plant located in the area, which supplies a ton of jobs to the community. Here are a few entry-level positions you may find here.
- Assembly operator
- Production operator
- Material handling coach
- Warehouse operator
University of Michigan
At the University of Michigan, you will find a wide range of entry-level positions that might be well suited to your background. Don’t be shy about submitting for jobs like:
- Administrative assistant
- Janitorial services
- Landscaping
- Maintenance and repair
Beaumont Health
Beaumont Health is a hospital in the Detroit area. Like universities, hospitals often serve as a hub of employment opportunities. Here are some great job opportunities you may wish to take advantage of at Beaumont Health:
- Food service
- Administrative assistant
- Custodial services
- Maintenance and repair
US Postal Service
The nice thing about the US Postal Service is that it’s everywhere. No matter where you find yourself in the country, USPS is there to provide above average pay and stable hours. They are also relatively receptive to former offenders, making this a great Detroit employment opportunity:
- Delivery
- Mail sorter
- Clerk
- Customer service
Detroit Public Schools
Public schools can admittedly be a bit tricky for former offenders. It all depends on the nature of your offense. However, those with records that might be viewed as “lighter” (non-violent or sexual offenses) may be able to take advantage of the many job opportunities the Detroit school system has to offer:
- Janitorial services
- Bus driver
- Repair technician
- Administrative assistant
American Axel
American Axel is a large, Detroit-based manufacturing plant. Here are some jobs you can expect to encounter at the this major local employer:
- Operator
- Custodian
- Lift driver
- Administrative assistant
Marcus Hamburgers
Marcus Hamburgers is a local fast food restaurant with a large presence in the Detroit area. Known as a local flavor that attracts locals and travelers alike, Marcus Hamburgers is a great place to find local employment opportunities. Consider the following:
- Wait staff
- Dish washer
- Line cook
- Host/hostess
Prince Valley Market
This is a grocery store chain well-established in the Detroit area. You might be familiar with their style of operations, and the good news is they have great hours. Here are some jobs you can expect to find there:
- Cashier
- Custodian
- Clerk
- Shelf stocker
Little Caesars
Little Caesars is the third-largest pizza chain in the country. If shift work and pizza perks sound like a good fit, even if just for right now, there are lots of these restaurants in the city. Here are some jobs you might find at a Little Caesars near you:
- Line cook
- Pizza maker
- Clerk
- Shift leader
MotorCity Casino Hotel
Casinos and hotels are also great employment opportunities due to the sheer volume of people they need to hire. As one of the companies that hire felons in Detroit, it’s a solid opportunity. Here are some jobs you might come across at the MotorCity Casino Hotel:
- Front desk attendant
- Baggage handler
- Custodial services
- Maintenance and repair
Trucking jobs for felons in Detroit
The trucking industry is full of great opportunities for former offenders because the pay is good, the hours are stable and most employers are open to people with complex backgrounds.
If you’re looking for trucking jobs for felons in Detroit, here are some great opportunities to take advantage of:
- Hercules Concrete
- Shores Car Care
- Driver Solutions
- Soave Enterprises
Warehouse jobs for felons in Detroit
Warehouse jobs are great because they feature good pay and lots of hours. For those who would prefer to stay in one place, they are an excellent alternative to the trucking industry.
Here are some warehouse jobs for felons in Detroit to check out:
Temp agency jobs for felons in Detroit
It may also be worthwhile to think about going with a temporary position. Staffing agencies can be an excellent way to find work. Fortunately, there are a number of employment agency jobs for felons in Detroit.
Below, you will find the top temp agency jobs for felons in Detroit:
- Crown Staffing
- Aerotek
- Express Employment
- TPC Staffing Agency
Second chance and job training programs for felons in Detroit
Detroit established Ban the Box laws back in 2010, which were expanded to include not allowing questions about criminal history in 2012. This means that potential employers will not be able to ask you about your criminal history on job applications.
Ban the Box is a great start to be sure, but there are also some other second chance and job training programs for felons in Detroit to take advantage of:
- Starting Over for Success
- Mission: To reduce the disenfranchisement of ex-offenders and assist them in rebuilding their lives through relevant job training, gainful employment and access to community resources.
- Services offered: Employment, Housing
- United Way of Southeastern Michigan
- Mission: To mobilize the caring power of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan to improve communities and individual lives in measurable and lasting ways.
- Services offered: Education, Medical
- Michigan Offender Success Model
- Mission: The mission of the Michigan Offender Success Model is to reduce crime by implementing a seamless plan of services, supervision, and opportunities developed with each offender and delivered through state and regional collaboration with the goal of obtaining employment and self-sufficiency. The mission is accomplished by targeting service provision to meet the identified needs of returning offenders, thereby reducing their risk of recidivism and enhancing their employment opportunities.
- Services offered: Employment
- MPRI
- Mission: MPRI-Breaking the Cycle (BTC) is a cognitive re-structuring program designed specifically for the men and women transitioning back into their communities after incarceration. Studies clearly show that cognitive behavioral models are a critical factor in the reduction of recidivism. The cognitive behavior theory (CBT) is based on the assumption that most emotional and behavioral reactions are learned. Therefore the goal of programming is to help clients unlearn their unwanted reactions, to re-learn a new way of acting and to break the cycle of unwanted consequences.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Education, Family, Legal
