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It’s a real challenge finding work with a criminal past. This article for where to find jobs for felons in Milwaukee is designed to make that task a little easier. In our quest to find former offender friendly businesses, we have contacted over 1,000 employers to learn about the approach they take to hiring felons.
We also approach our guides from a position of experience. Many of our writers and researchers have criminal records, and have been in the same position you now find yourself in.
This Wisoncisn city has a population of almost 600,000 people. Like most large cities, there are plenty of employment opportunities to take advantage of. While Milwaukee is mostly known for its manufacturing, there are loads of other jobs as well, and this guide is designed to help you find them.
Jobs that hire felons in Milwaukee
The search feature below is designed to help you navigate listings for the most likely employers to have jobs that hire felons in Milwaukee. Narrow down your search with keywords like job title, record or skill set.
Top companies that hire felons in Milwaukee
All of the jobs included below are friendly to former offenders. Some have made public statements while others operate within industries frequently open to former felons. All are companies that hire felons in Milwaukee.
General Mitchell International Airport
Before you begin your search though, it may be time to give your resume a once over. We’ve got a great guide to help you put your past in the best light and highlight your skills. Ready? Perfect. Let’s get started.
Aurora Health
Aurora Health is a local Milwaukee area hospital that serves as one of the biggest employers in the area. Because hospitals are open around the clock it is possible you will be able to find shifts at all hours of the day.
Examples of entry-level jobs here:
- Custodian
- Food Service
- Security
- Executive Assistant
AJ Bombers
A local chain, AJ Bombers restaurant is one of four run by the same profile. You may also recognize Blue Bar Kitchen, Smoke Shack, and Onesto. When you apply to one, you apply to all! Get your resume ready because you’re sure to find something that will fit you needs.
Examples of entry-level jobs here:
- Cook
- Server
- Host
- Line Cook
Brightview Landscape Services
Brightview Landscape Services is a local landscaping company that provides the Milwaukee community with many jobs. While the range of jobs at any landscaping company is not likely to be diverse, hours are dependable, with offseason work available during the winter.
Examples of entry-level jobs here:
- Snow Removal
- Landscaper
- Maintenance
- Technician
- Sales
Kohl’s
Kohl’s is a national department store. There are locations pretty much everywhere, but they have a particularly large presence in Milwaukee, providing the community nearly 8,000 jobs.
Examples of entry-level jobs here:
- Clerk
- Shelf Stocker
- Customer Service
- Warehouse
Roundy’s
Roundy’s is a major grocery store in the Milwaukee area. You’ve probably shopped here, or know those who have, so why not swing by and drop off your resume?
Examples of entry-level jobs here:
- Custodian
- Warehouse
- Clerk
- Shelf Stocker
A. O. Smith
A. O. Smith is a water heater manufacturing business that is one of the biggest employers in the Milwaukee area. They make water boilers and heaters for use all over North America. If this seems like something you could do, give it a go!
Here are some jobs you can expect to find at A.O. Smith:
- Warehouse
- Line Operator
- Forklift Operator
- Customer Service
Carson Pirie Scott and Co.
Carson Pirie Scott is an online retail company with a headquarters in the Milwaukee area. Here are some jobs you can expect to come across from this major Milwaukee employer. See what it’s like to run a movie theatre.
Examples of entry-level jobs here:
- Custodian
- Warehouse Employee
- Repairs
- Customer Service Representative
Marcus Theatres
Marcus Theatres feature locations all across the country, but the company is actually headquartered in Milwaukee and features a particularly pronounced presence in the area.
Examples of entry-level jobs here:
- Custodian
- Executive Assistant
- Repair
- Customer Service
General Mitchell International Airport
The General Mitchell International Airport provides the Milwaukee area with lots and lots of entry level jobs, many of which feature round the clock shifts. There are stipulations to the background check, of course, so make sure to check those before you apply.
Examples of entry-level jobs here:
- Baggage Handler
- Custodian
- Food Service
- Ticket Attendant
University of Wisconsin
It takes a ton of people to keep just about any university up and running, making them a great place to look for entry level work. The University of Wisconsin is no exception.
Examples of entry-level jobs here:
- Administrative Assistant
- Custodian
- Landscaping
- Food Service
- Maintenance
Trucking jobs for felons in Milwaukee
The trucking industry has the benefit of providing high paying jobs that are historically former offender friendly. If you are interested in finding trucking jobs for felons in Milwaukee, here are some positions that may be off interest.
- Hub Group Trucking
- O’Byrne Distribution Center
- CFI Company Drivers
- J.B Hunt Transport
- Direct Drive Express
Warehouse jobs for felons in Milwaukee
Warehouse jobs tend to be similar to trucking jobs in that they offer high pay and lots of hours to former offenders who are looking for work. Here are some warehouse jobs for felons in Milwaukee.
- General Pet Supply
- Amazon
- Brady Corporation
- MilwaukeeWarehouse
- Lincoln Warehouse
Temp agency jobs for felons in Milwaukee
You may not be in a place where you want to find a long-term position. You may also find that there simply aren’t a ton of amazing options out there at the moment. Whatever the case, temp agency jobs for felons in Milwaukee can be a great option for those who haven’t found what they are looking for yet.
Here are some employment agency jobs for felons in Milwaukee.
- Elite Staffing
- QPS Employment Agency
- SITE Staffing
- PS Companies
- Manpower
Second chance and job training programs for felons in Milwaukee
As of 2020, Milwaukee has adopted Ban the Box laws. This means that potential employers in the public sector will not be able to ask you about your criminal history on job applications. They will, however, be able to ask in follow up parts of the hiring process, such as interviews and background checks.
That’s great, but it’s not the only resource out there. Below you will find some more second chance and job training programs for felons in Milwaukee.
- Center for Self-Sufficiency
- Mission: To provide a foundation for people to actualize their hope and motivation to access a good life.
- Services offered: Education, Family, Legal
- The Benedict Center
- Mission: The Benedict Center is an interfaith nonprofit agency working with victims, offenders and the community to achieve a system of criminal justice that is fair and treats every person involved with dignity and respect.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Education, Legal, Mental Health
- The Asha Project
- Mission: To help survivors empower themselves. We seek to provide culturally specific programming for the complex issues of domestic violence, sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
- Services offered: Legal, Mental Health, Spiritual Services
- Project RETURN Milwaukee
- Mission: Project RETURN (Returning Ex-incarcerated people To Urban Realities and Neighborhoods) exists to help men and women make a positive, permanent return to community, family and friends.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Employment, Housing, Mental Health
- WCS
- Mission: WCS is a nonprofit human service organization that addresses the individual and systemic barriers that prevent many in our communities from leading productive and healthy lives. We empower individuals to take ownership of their role in pursuing a positive future by providing a continuum of human services and encouraging individuals to build skills and overcome adversity, such as substance use, mental health needs, criminal justice involvement, and employment obstacles. We provide access to a continuum of support services for individuals facing challenges with justice system involvement and unmet behavioral health needs, guiding them as they bridge the gap between where they are today and where they would like to be.
- Services offered: Housing, Legal, Mental Health
