Florence, South Carolina – For job seekers in Florence, Thursday could turn a normal application process into a same-day conversation with the people doing the hiring. Instead of sending an application and waiting for a response, candidates will be able to apply, interview and potentially receive an offer during one city-wide event.
The City of Florence will hold its hiring event Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pearl Moore Basketball Center, 500 Barnes St., bringing together departments ranging from police and fire to utilities, public works and parks.
Representatives from Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism, Fire, Police, Public Works, Utilities, Administration and other city offices are expected to attend. Laptops will be available so applicants can complete online applications at the site before meeting with department representatives for interviews.
Florence employs more than 500 people, and the city has used the same walk-in format before: candidates apply, speak directly with hiring managers and, in some cases, leave with an employment offer.
Current police postings provide one example of the pay available. Class I police officer positions start at $49,562.30 annually for non-certified hires, with pay increasing after academy training and certification. The city also lists a $1,500 sign-on bonus after successful completion of field training. Firefighter postings range from $40,775 to $42,814 depending on certification.
Other current or recent vacancies have included meter readers, building inspectors, utility and stormwater equipment operators, an animal shelter worker, market coordinator, gymnastics coordinator and water and wastewater supervisory positions. Because openings and salaries can change, applicants can review the latest listings through the city’s employment portal.
Benefits advertised by Florence include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability coverage, South Carolina Retirement Systems participation, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, longevity pay and optional 401(k) and 457 plans. Employees and dependents also have access to an on-site wellness clinic staffed by a nurse practitioner.
Applicants should expect to submit applications online rather than bring paper applications to Human Resources. Many jobs require a valid South Carolina driver’s license, while police and fire applicants face additional pre-assessment requirements.
The event will take place inside the 31,525-square-foot Pearl Moore Basketball Center, which opened in 2018. Candidates hoping to complete both the application and interview process before the 2 p.m. closing time are encouraged to allow enough time for both steps.
