Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie, Pennsylvania, as of 2017 has a population of around 97,000. With this many people, a city like this usually offers a wide variety of jobs in a number of areas. Finding work is challenging enough for most people. However, someone with a felony record will likely face even greater challenges when looking for a job because of limited opportunity and a lower priority due to a criminal background.

Some major employers in Erie can be found along with essential information and expectations when applying to these companies with a felony conviction. After that are a number of job options in the Erie area that, according to our research, may hire felons.

Make sure you read this entire page for your best chance at being successful in your job search.

General Electric: This electric company hires qualified individuals for a variety of positions. Most of these jobs will go to the general public with a clear record. It will be a major challenge to find employment here. It does seem that General Electric hires felons, according to our research. This does not mean they will hire all felons but may be willing to consider those who are serious about reentry, depending on the felony offense, its severity, and when it occurred. This may be a place to apply.

Erie Indemnity: As a company in the insurance industry, numerous opportunities are available to those with no criminal background. Even these positions can be challenging enough for people to gain due to specific job requirements. Having a felony conviction will almost certainly eliminate those individuals from consideration who have a felony record. This is because of the strict background check and concerns regarding integrity and honesty relating to personal information and its accessibility.

UPMC Hamot: This hospital hires qualified individuals from the general public with a clean record. Any type of felony conviction will make it extremely difficult to gain employment here. A few support positions might be possible. Based on our research, health jobs typically require state certification or licensing often unavailable to felons.

State Government: State government positions, according to our research, may be possible for a felon to obtain. It will depend on the particular position along with the type of felony, its seriousness, and when it occurred. It would be a challenge because of the strict background check, but felons who are serious about reentry and finding meaningful employment may have some opportunity here.

St Vincent Health Center: Health positions can be attractive to those looking for work because of the opportunity to work with those having significant medical issues. While this is a positive endeavor for anyone, those with a clean record will have greater opportunity here. Based on our research, healthcare jobs are limited other than a few support positions to felons because of state licensing and certification demands that are frequently unavailable to them.

Walmart: This major employer hires individuals for different departments based on specific skill and training. Most of these positions will go to the segment of the population with no criminal background.  However, our research indicates that Walmart is a felon-friendly employer. While this does not mean they will hire all felons, they will give consideration to those who are serious about reentry and finding meaningful employment. Of course, it will depend on the nature of the felony offense, its severity, and when it occurred. This is a good place to look for work.

Federal Government: Government positions, even at the federal level, are numerous for those who are qualified. Being qualified typically means having no criminal record. There are some positions possible for those with a felony offense, but of course, it will depend on passing the background check, and it will make a difference as to the felony, its severity, and when it happened. This may still be a place to look for work, according to our research.

School District of the City of Erie: Those with no criminal record may have numerous job opportunities in education. However, our research indicates that this is not true for someone with a felony conviction.  Due to state licensing and certification requirements often denied to felons, education is typically not an open field. There are major concerns regarding security and safety when dealing with minors. This is regardless of the felony offense or when it happened. This is unlikely to be a successful place to look for work.

Erie County: County government jobs are available in a variety of areas and at different levels of skill and training. The general public with no criminal record will have the most opportunity here. However, our research indicates that some county government positions may be available to those felons who are willing to persevere and have the patience to deal with the application and background check. Of course, it will depend on the felony offense, its severity, and when it occurred. This may still be a place to look.

Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Center: This organization provides health and intellectual disability services to children. As a member of the health community, numerous opportunities are available to those with a clean record. Having a felony offense will almost certainly eliminate those individuals from consideration. The need for a state license and certification is often unavailable to felons. Additionally, working with children is unlikely for felons to achieve.