By ROGER MOON, Times-Mail
FRENCH LICK - Applicants for jobs with the resort and casino development in French Lick endured three-to-four-hour waits in hot temperatures Friday for a chance to get interviews with Benchmark Hospitality representatives.
I'm going to tough it out,” said Kathy McManis of Taswell, as she waited for the time to finally arrive when she would be admitted inside the air conditioned dining room area of the former West Baden Springs Hotel to complete an application and interview.
“We've come this far,” McManis said, referring to those who had made the trip to West Baden Springs with her. “We've decided we're going to tough it out.”
Friday was the first of two days set aside for Benchmark Hospitality to begin selecting the nearly 1,000 additional workers that it will take for the company to run the new casino and the renovated French Lick and West Baden Springs hotels. The project is being completed by a partnership consisting of the Indianapolis-based Lauth Group and the Bloomington-based Cook Group.
The two-day job fair got under way at about 9 a.m. Friday, two hours later than some reports had indicated it would begin. Keith Schnulle, vice president of human resources for Benchmark Hospitality, said, “We have been very pleased with the quality of the applicants.” He said some of those who are hired could expect a call soon.
“Some jobs we are adding right away,” Schnulle said. “Most of those,” he said, “are casino jobs where some extensive training will be required. The dealers’ positions, they're going to have dealers' school they're going to have to attend. There's kind of a timeline set up for when those jobs will happen. Obviously when you get into the front desk and some of those positions, it probably won't be until August or September.”
Once job-seekers were inside the hotel they were pointed to representatives of WorkOne. Gary Leavell, WorkOne Region 10 coordinator, explained that the process first gives applicants the opportunity to be interviewed by WorkOne officials. “Those ... who appear to be ready for an (additional) interview are referred to Benchmark,” Leavell said. “Those who are not prepared for an interview, we take them and put them into a database and their applications will be looked at by Benchmark following this job fair for further consideration. So, we like to think of this as the beginning of the process. ... So no one has to feel that if they didn't get a second interview, they're out of it. They're still in it.”
About five hours into Friday's job fair, Richard Rampley, WorkOne Region 8 coordinator, placed an estimate on the number of applicants. “We've been running 150 to 200 per hour, so probably 800 to 1,000,” Rampley said about mid-afternoon.
He said the next step after applicants had brief interviews with Benchmark was advancing to another interview that was specific to such departments as housekeeping, food service, management or casino jobs.
Among those waiting in line Friday was former Mitchell resident Brooklyn Diamond Schnarr, now of Jasper. Schnarr graduated in May from Indiana University with a degree in accounting, finance and operation and management.
She said at about 1:45 p.m. Friday that she had been standing “in full suit” since about 10:30 am.
“I'm specifically looking for accounting,” she said.
McManis, who works at a correctional facility in Branchville, said she's interested in a security position.
“I knew there would be a line,” McManis said. “I didn't dream it would be this long.”
Dave Mehringer, 57 of Jasper, said his hopes are on getting a job as a bus driver or trolley car driver with the resort and casino development. “They said there will be a few of those jobs,” Mehringer said. He currently works in maintenance at Vincennes University Jasper Center, but has been told by a doctor that problems with his back will dictate that he quit that job.
Taking his place at the end of the line, Mehringer was prepared for a hot afternoon in the sun. “They just said 86 (degrees) on the radio,” he said.
Applicants who endured the wait finally saw the exit sign at the end. Among those who completed the process was Phil Bruner, who, having retired from the former Bank of Orleans, said, “I'm just wanting something to do. (It's) either that or go stir crazy.”
Bruner said he completed an interview with Benchmark as part of his job fair experience and was told he would learn in three to four weeks if he would be called back for another interview.
The job fair continues today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eric Whitson, director of sales and marketing for the French Lick Springs Resort & Casino, said earlier that about 1,000 jobs are to be filled as the hotels and casino open.
Going into the two-day job fair, Benchmark was expecting about 4,000 people to apply for employment.