Additional 10-Week Temporary Employment Positions Announced Bringing Total to 110
Workforce Solutions East Texas • September 24, 2020
10-Week Positions Paid Up to $15/hr.
Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) announces an additional 70 temporary positions to hire under the National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) bringing the total to 110. DWGs are discretionary grants awarded by the Secretary of Labor under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The grants provide resources to eligible applicants to respond to large, unexpected layoff events causing significant job losses. This funding is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to expand capacity to serve dislocated workers, including military service members, and meet the increased demand for WIOA employment and training services. The overall purpose of the grant is to reemploy laid-off workers and enhance their employability and earnings.
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Approximately 40 employment positions were previously open, but recently, The Secretary of Labor announced that 70 positions would be newly available in East Texas. The positions available are 10-week temporary employment opportunities to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts when an area is impacted by a disaster. The following positions are available to apply for in East Texas:
- Contact Tracers - $15/hr. in Tyler
- WSET, in conjunction with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), will hire, train, and supervise a team working remotely to support DSHS and local health departments to perform COVID-19 contact tracing activities statewide.
- Requirements: Previous medical experience, drug, and background check. Bilingual a plus.
- Process Assistant - $11/hr. in Tyler
- Responsible for providing support for all areas of the manufacturing process related to kits to be used for COVID-19 testing. Duties include accurately labeling tubes that define viral transport medium, filling tubes with appropriate amounts, packaging and preparing shipments daily, and moving and transporting supplies as needed.
- Screener Concierge - $12.31/hr. in Longview, Tyler, Jacksonville, Athens, Overton, and Lindale
- Positions available at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler responsible for acknowledging the arrival and departure of patients, visitors, customers, employees, and faculty. Will be responsible for conducting appropriate access determination (temperature check, access questions, etc.). Will ensure campus health restrictions are observed, providing a safe environment for faculty, patients, and visitors.
- Requirements: Nicotine and drug test, background check.
- Public Sanitation - $10 - $11.25/hr. in Longview, Kilgore, Tyler, and Palestine
- Cleaning and wiping windows, doors, walls, closets, and fixtures in classrooms, public areas, and hallways. Will be responsible for cleaning toilets and mirrors, counters, emptying trash, mopping floors, vacuuming carpets, and performing other duties as assigned.
Interested applicants may contact WSET staff member, Dana Welch, (903) 500-7154 for assistance, or apply here. Applicants need to enter COVID-19 and the position of interest in block G of the application. Anyone seeking employment opportunities should contact their local Workforce Solutions East Texas center
for assistance.
Tuesday, August 4 | Athens, Longview, Marshall, Palestine, and Tyler
Texas added 43,400 nonfarm jobs in June to reach a total of 14,469,600 positions. Over the year, the state added 177,900 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.9 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,904,900 after adding 3,400 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 29,700 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.4 percent. “Texas’ continued job growth is a testament to the strength of our employers and robust workforce development system,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “The addition of more than 177,000 jobs over the year reinforces Texas’ reputation among employers as the best place to start and grow a business.” The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in June after adding 25,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 10,300 jobs over the month while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,400. “The growth of the Texas labor market highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our state’s workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “The Texas Workforce Commission is committed to ensuring every Texan has the support they need to thrive, whether through training opportunities to gain new skills or specialized programs that help our foster youth transition into successful careers.” The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6 percent in June. It was followed by the San Angelo MSA at 3.9 percent and the Abilene MSA at 4.0 percent. “With an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, Texas continues to outpace the national average and demonstrate economic resilience,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “Both job seekers and employers can seek customized career services and recruitment assistance by visiting our TWC website or their local Workforce Solutions office.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com . The Texas Labor Market Information Data for July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).
Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is proud to partner with the Panola County Chamber of Commerce to support child care leaders across the region. Through this partnership, the Chamber provides a welcoming meeting space for Directors Connect training designed to help early learning program owners and directors connect, learn, and grow together. The partnership was made possible through the support of Keri Perot-Vance, Executive Director of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, whose commitment to community collaboration helped create a space where child care leaders can come together to share ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen their leadership skills. The partnership began in 2025 in response to daycare owners expressing a need for accessible training opportunities. Recognizing this need, Panola County Chamber of Commerce graciously offered to host the Directors Connect training in its beautiful historic building. This collaboration provides child care professionals with the opportunity to earn professional development hours required to remain in compliance with Child Care Regulation and Texas Rising Star. Tonia Crawford and Aerial Jones, Business Industry Specialists for Child Care Services and facilitators of Directors Connect, say the program has evolved into so much more than a training opportunity. It has become a space for meaningful conversations, professional connections, and shared solutions. Through these gatherings, directors are strengthening their businesses, growing as leaders, and ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to children and families throughout East Texas. Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is grateful for the Panola County Chamber of Commerce's ongoing support and looks forward to continuing this impactful partnership for years to come. Together, we are investing in stronger leaders, stronger child care programs, and stronger communities.
