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24 Great Ways to Find Jobs for Felons in Houston in 2023

By Last update August 24, 2022
Houston Texas cityscape

It’s no simple task finding jobs for felons in Houston, Texas. You’re probably here because you already know that! The city has a current population of 2.3 million people. It’s a big place with lots of jobs circulating to cater to the needs of its substantial population. Unfortunately, only some of them will consider hiring former felons. 

At Relaunch Pad, we do painstaking research to find out what those jobs are. Our staff, which consists of many former felons, has contacted over 1,000 employers throughout to learn more about their hiring policies for people with criminal records. The list cultivated below is a product of that research, focused on the best local options for getting hired quickly.

Jobs that hire felons in Houston

Houston Texas skyline

Below there is a search feature that makes it easier to find jobs that hire felons in Houston. Though known primarily as a hotbed for the aerospace industry, there are a wide range of companies that hire felons in Houston. To survey your opportunities, fill in the relative fields and narrow your search down to industries that are most appropriate to your background and expertise. 

Top companies that hire felons in Houston

We are strategic with the jobs that find their way onto our list. Below you will find opportunities that have been selected either because the business has publicly stated an openness to hiring former offenders or because they operate in an industry that tends to be felon-friendly. 

H-E-B

The Moran CITYCENTER

Landry’s

Memorial Hermann Health System

HM General Contractors

Eaton

Halliburton

University of Texas at Austin

AT and T

Pappas BBQ

Before you apply, why  not make sure all your ducks are in a row? Here’s a complete guide to making a resume with a record. Now that that’s taken care of, read on to learn about some great opportunities. 

H-E-B

Local to Texas, H-E-B is the largest grocery store chain in the Houston area and an excellent source of entry-level employment for those looking to find work. There’s no doubt you’ve seen one of these stores in your travels.

Here are some jobs you might encounter.:

  • Clerk
  • Shelf Stocker
  • Warehouse Employee
  • Custodian

The Moran CITYCENTER

You’ve likely seen this hotel on your tours downtown. The Moran CITYCENTER is a very popular local hotel that offers full services to guests. That means there are lots of job opportunities here!

Some of your best entry-level roles at this hotel:

  • Receptionist
  • Cook
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Maintenance

Landry’s

Landry’s is a restaurant chain with locations across the country. Not only are they a great source of entry-level employment but they are also one of the biggest employers in the Houston area thanks to their restaurant locations and their local headquarters. 

Check out these employment options:

  • Customer Service
  • Host/hostess
  • Waitstaff
  • Cook

Memorial Hermann Health System

Memorial Hermann Health System is a network of 15 total hospitals operating in the greater Houston area. Like any hospital system, Memorial Hermann supplies the community with many entry-level positions.

Here are some jobs you might encounter there:

  • Maintenance
  • Administrative assistant
  • Food Service
  • Custodian

HM General Contractors

Contracting work never goes out of style in Houston. HM General Contractors often has roles available in the area and will train you on the job. Think about them when applying for work.

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • General Labor
  • HVAC Technician
  • Framer
  • Equipment Operator

Eaton

Eaton is a major employer in the Houston area that operates in the electrical manufacturing industry. There are definitely some technical roles here, but a good number don’t require any previous experience.

Here are some jobs you can expect to find:

  • Warehouse
  • Customer Service
  • Custodian
  • Assembly Technician

Halliburton

Halliburton provides a significant number of jobs to the Houston area, making it a great source of entry-level employment. It’s part of the oil and gas industry, meaning a lot of the jobs are in the trades or trades-supporting roles.

Check out some of their easier-to-access jobs here:

  • Clerk
  • Bulk Operator
  • Assembler
  • Customer service
  • Warehouse

University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas employs over 21,000 and while some of these jobs require advanced degrees, the vast majority fall into the category of entry-level employment. It takes a village to run a campus!

Review these entry-level positions:

  • Food-service
  • Custodian
  • Maintenance
  • Administrative assistant

AT and T

AT&T is a telecommunications company with a publically stated policy of hiring people with criminal records. They provide Houston with over 5,000 jobs. Not only does this make them one of the biggest employers in the area, but it also means they will be great source of entry-level employment. 

Some of the best jobs to start with:

  • Customer Service
  • Sales
  • Maintenance
  • Technician

Pappas BBQ

Pappas is one the three restaurants owned by the Pappas brothers. The others are Pappadeux and Pappacito. They are a major employer in the Houston area, offering more than 5,000 jobs to the community. 

Here are a few of the entry-level jobs here:

  • Administrative Assistant 
  • Customer Service 
  • Waitstaff
  • Cook

Trucking jobs for felons in Houston

Trucking jobs are a great way for people who’ve been convicted of felonies to find reliable high-paying work. Here are some trucking jobs for felons in Houston that you might want to take advantage of:

  • J.B Hunt Transport
  • NFI Industries
  • H&R Trucking
  • UPS

Warehouse jobs for felons in Houston

Warehouse jobs also have the potential to offer above-average pay, and typically come with the potential for flexible scheduling. Here are some warehouse jobs for felons in Houston:

Temp agency jobs for felons in Houston

Temp agency jobs for felons in Houston can serve as a dependable way to earn money as you look for a more permanent situation. Below you will find a list of employment agency jobs for felons in Houston:

  • LPC Personnel
  • Adecco
  • TPI Staffing
  • Pridestaff

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Houston

Houston currently lacks Ban the Box laws, though several Texan cities including Dallas and Austin have passed this measure despite resistance from the state senate. This means that businesses can ask about your criminal history on job applications. It does not, however, mean that you are without other resources. 

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Houston serve as a great way to find employment and receive other benefits as well. Check out these local offerings:

  • The Houston Launch Pad
    • Mission: THLP serves people with a wide range of significant disabilities. We promote and practice equal access of individuals with limited access to services, programs, resources, and facilities. THLP works to increase the availability and improve the quality of community options for independent living.
    • Services offered: Clothing and Household, Education, Employment
  • The WorkFaith Connection
    • Mission: The WorkFaith Connection exists to provide effective and comprehensive employment services to men and women who have become discouraged in their job search. Our Christ-centered values paired with our highly-structured program help students increase their value and confidence which is needed for successful transitions back into the workforce.
    • Services offered: Employment, Spiritual Services
  • Bridges to Life (BTL)
    • Mission: The mission of Bridges To Life is to connect communities to prisons to reduce the recidivism rate (particularly that of violent crimes), reduce the number of crime victims, and enhance public safety. The spiritual mission of Bridges To Life is to minister to victims and offenders in an effort to show them the transforming power of God’s love and forgiveness.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment, Legal, Voting
  • C.O.O.L. Ministries, Inc
    • Mission: We are there for you and your loved ones. We offer a real life change to those suffering from addictions.
    • Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Spiritual Services
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Paul is a Reentry Educator with The Relaunch Pad who lives in the midwest. He has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and is dedicated to providing accurate and insightful information to former offenders who are seeking employment.