The Greater New Bedford unemployment rate is much higher than the rest of Massachusetts, but believe it or not there really are a lot of jobs available for qualified applicants. Sometimes the barrier to a new job can be the lack of information on available job openings.

To solve this, each week New Bedford Guide will be working with the New Directions Southcoast (also known as the Greater New Bedford Career Center) and pulling jobs from our jobs database to inform job seekers about the hottest jobs in the area.

We will define “Hot Jobs” as those jobs that need to be filled by the employer immediately. For those looking to search some large job databases, checkout my Best Job Search Resources for New Bedford Residents article. Unless noted otherwise, those interested in these positions or want more information should go to the Greater New Bedford Career Center at 618 Acushnet Avenue.

Here are the Hot Jobs from the Greater New Bedford Career Center as of August 14th, 2014:

1. Early Childhood Educator/Teacher #4524007
Early Childhood teacher with Associates Degree or EEC (Dept. of Early Education and Care) Certified.

2. Customer Service Rep/Order Entry #4516663
Accurate order entry taken by phone, fax or email from repeat customers, including updating customer information in system; Resolution of customer issues over the telephone including billing inquiries, customer complaints and sales opportunities; respond to customer correspondence and inquiries via email, fax and phone in an appropriate and timely manner; promote sales when opportunity arises. Must be able to work calmly with patience and courtesy in customer relations, strong organizational skills, and proven history of accuracy and attention to detail.

3. Butcher #4524121
New Restaurant, butcher shop & deli opening up soon. Experienced meat cutter needed. Must have knowledge of meat, different cuts and how to cut the meat along with using butcher/meat cutter equipment.

4. Distribution Packer #4516657
Under direction of senior shippers, packer prepares a variety of finished items for shipment to customers according to standard procedures and special customer specifications. Prior to packing product a final inspection is conducted to assure consistency of colors and accuracy of labels. Must use computer system to produce custom labels, then label and package products as required for shipping. Some heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. required. Use of hand trucks, carts, pallet jacks.

5. Party Host (Part-Time) #4524029
This is a part time position that can go anywhere from 10-15 hours per week and you must be available on weekends and some weekday evening hours. Must have exceptional customer service skills and enjoy working with children.

6. Cashier/Snack Person (Part-Time) #4524032
This position goes from 10 to 15 hours per week. You must be flexible for days, nights and weekends. Greater customer service skills and work well with children. Some cashier experience helpful.

7. Floor Guard/Supervisor #4524037
Must have roller skating ability with excellent social qualities as you will be working with children and families who are looking a clean, healthy fun environment suitable for all ages. Hours are 10 to 15 per week, flexible with days, nights and weekends.

8. Assistant City Planner #4490407
Performs a variety of routine and complex technical and professional work in the current and/or long-range planning of the City, and the development and implementation of land use and related policies and regulations. Conducts technical research studies and prepares statistical reports and recommendations for drafting or revising local legislation and plans, projecting trends, monitoring socio-economic data, etc. Evaluates land use proposals for conformity to established plans and ordinances; evaluates proposals’ development impact as they relate to the adopted plans of the City and makes recommendations.

9. Code Enforcement Inspector #4516681
Minimizes environmental health and sanitation problems, and continues to decrease the rodent and vermin population within the community through law enforcement and education. Conducts inspections, investigations and communication/outreach activities throughout the City to ensure compliance with State Sanitary Codes and numerous other State and local regulations.

Here are the Hot Jobs in the New Bedford area from the NewBedfordGuide.com jobs database, as of August 14th, 2014:

1.  Employee Relations Manager – St. Luke’s Hospital
Full details and application process here.

2. Prep Cook – N.B. Jewish Convalescent Home
Full details and application process here.

3. Portuguese Linguists – MetLang (New Bedford)
Full details and application process here.

4. Wellness Ambassador – Rite Aid (New Bedford)
Full details and application process here.

5. Cashier Team Member – Target (North Dartmouth)
Full details and application process here.

6. Lunch and Recess Monitor – Freetown Elementary School
Full details and application process here.

7. Cook – Papa Gino’s (Fairhaven)
Full details and application process here.

Be sure to also check out our Job Portal to find jobs by location on a map: newbedfordguide.com/map-page#pm_jobs_tab. Want to get e-mail notifications for new jobs? Checkout our e-mail subscription service.

The New Bedford Health Department has announced that the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will conduct targeted ground spraying early on the morning of Monday, August 18, 2014.  This round of spraying will target the areas of Industrial Park and Sassaquin Pond.  Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Monday morning, weather permitting.  Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows this evening prior to the spraying.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Thursday the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) infection was detected in a deer from Freetown, also located in Bristol County.  As result of this finding, DPH raised the EEE
risk level in Freetown to “high” and in the surrounding communities including New Bedford the risk level has been raised to “moderate.”

There have been no human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) or EEE so far this year. Last year, there was one case of EEE acquired by a Massachusetts resident.  EEE is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.  EEE is a serious disease in all ages and can even cause death.

The Bristol County Mosquito Control Project has been conducting surveillance in our area to track the potential for disease carrying mosquitoes.  Mosquito traps are in place to collect additional pools of mosquitoes and monitoring of mosquito populations will be on-going to assess the effectiveness of the spraying effort.

Residents may request a ground spray by calling the Bristol County Mosquito Control project at (508) 823-5253, between 8:00am – 2:00pm (June – September), or contacting them by E-mail at RequestBristolMCP@comcast.net. 

The following precautions are advised:

 Avoid Mosquito Bites

 Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label.  DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children.  Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.  Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

With his administration focused on New Bedford’s long-term future, Mayor Jon Mitchell today presented the City Council with a proposal to modernize the term of office for mayor from two to four years. The modification, Mitchell said, would enhance the municipality’s ability to build a stronger future for itself by promoting stability in its executive branch, encouraging its chief executive to focus on the city’s long-term best interests and reducing the time diverted from governmental duties to campaigning and fundraising.

To avoid any suggestion that his proposal is motivated by personal political considerations, Mayor Mitchell also submitted a proposed amendment that would set the effective date of the act after the current mayor leaves office.

“If the council passes the amendment, I would not be eligible to be elected to a four-year term. This proposal is not about me, it is about the long term interests of the City we love,” he said.

A change in the term of office for mayor requires an amendment to the City of New Bedford’s charter. Mayor Mitchell has proposed the charter change as a Special Act which requires the approval of the City Council as well as the state legislature before it may take effect.

In a detailed letter to the Council outlining his proposal, Mayor Mitchell highlighted the serious disadvantages associated with the City retaining a two-year term for the office of mayor, “I believe that the adoption of a four-year term is necessary because the current two-year term impedes our ability to build the better future we all want for our City, in that it (1) tends to undermine the general effectiveness of the executive branch; (2) skews policy and program initiatives toward narrow or trivial short term interests; (3) diverts time and energy to mobilizing campaign organizations and to campaign fundraising and away from important governmental duties; and puts New Bedford at a competitive disadvantage versus cities with more modern mayoral structures.”

He pointed to the need for stability in the City’s executive branch and with that the importance of devoting all of the mayor’s attention and energy on the leading the city with a clear focus on the long-term. “That a mayor would be subject to a re-election campaign by the time he or she has just gotten up-and-running, in which the outcome may be the election of someone entirely new who would start the process all over again, is inherently destabilizing. Mayors serve the public best when they set clear, broad and achievable long-term goals and stay the course until they are realized. A four year term would significantly reduce the time necessary to campaign and to raise campaign contributions, which displace time spent governing,” Mitchell said.

Nearly every major city in the United States has adopted a four year mayoral term. Once adopted, New Bedford would join the increasing number of Massachusetts cities with a four-year term for mayor including, Boston, Pittsfield, Quincy, and Springfield.

Have you been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in your knees and have related pain? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a medical research study of an investigational drug for your osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. If you have been medically diagnosed with OA of the knee and have moderate to severe knee pain, you may be interested in learning more about this medical research study.

To pre-qualify for this study, you must:

• Be male or female at least 40 years of age
• Have a medical diagnosis of OA of the knee for at least 6 months prior to entering the study
• Must be in general good health

All study-related visits, tests, and study drug will be provided to participants at no cost. In addition, reimbursement for study- related time may be provided. If you are interested in learning more about this research study and to see if it is right for you.

For more information please contact:

Novex Clinical Research

Call: 508-990-9555 or Toll Free: 855-778-8397
Email: Info@novexclinical.com
Visit: NovexClinical.com

CITY OF NEW BEDFORD
WATCHPERSON (Part-time/No benefits)
$11.55hr – $15.92hr (plus 7% night differential)
DEPARTMENT: ZOO

Shift: 11:30 p.m. Saturday to 7:30 a.m. Sunday

Provides security to eliminate thefts or vandalism to vehicles and property, and performs janitorial duties.

Guards against fire, theft, vandalism and unlawful entry at assigned areas and buildings; checks locks to see that they are secure; maintains order in a given area; reports situations to police that cannot be handled immediately. Checks validity of individuals’ credentials; patrols buildings and grounds looking for foreign objects, missing or inoperable lights. Checks gates, doors, exhibit fences inside perimeter; patrols parking lot. May perform other duties such as checking boilers, regulating heat. Maintains and cleans buildings, offices and restrooms to ensure that these are kept clean and orderly.

Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license with a good driving record. Must have a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, mandatory by MGL Chapter 6 Sec. 172C.

High school diploma or GED equivalent preferred.

For application/complete job description, please visit www.newbedford-ma.gov or contact Personnel Dept., 133 William St., Room 212, 508-979-1444. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. New Bedford has a residency requirement. EEO

In the eight weeks since New Bedford first rolled out its new automated curbside collection system for trash and recyclables, the City has attained an unprecedented recycling rate and significantly reduced the amount of waste sent to its landfill. New Bedford’s new collection program began on June 23, 2014 and was designed and implemented to increase recycling citywide, reduce litter on city streets, and decrease the amount of solid waste sent to the Crapo Hill landfill.

Under the new curbside collection system, City residents and business owners place trash and recyclables curbside in uniform wheeled carts. The carts are emptied by ABC Disposal’s automated trucks which are equipped with mechanized arms and fueled by compressed natural gas.

“We have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from residents about the new system. They appreciate the cleaner streets, the sturdy, easy-to-use wheeled carts and the simplicity of the single-stream recycling program. It has been a transition for everyone and throughout the process the City has been open to feedback and has made adjustments to the program where necessary,” said Kenneth Blanchard, Director of Public Facilities and Fleet Management.

In the months leading up to the implementation of the new system, the City was collecting an average of 278 tons of recyclables curbside monthly. In the first full month the new system was online that number spiked to 562 tons of recyclables collected during the month of July. In comparing the same time period, the City collected an average of 3,021 tons of solid waste monthly with the old system and just 2,469 tons of solid waste was collected curbside in July. Officials say the sharp increase in recycling and significant decrease in solid waste disposal will help New Bedford prolong the life of the Crapo Hill Landfill.

Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, District Recycling Coordinator for the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District said, “There has been a tremendous increase in the amount of recyclables set out by residents and businesses. The tonnage has more than doubled. Residents tell me they used to fill one or two blue bins and now with the carts, they are recycling significantly more.”

The City is closely monitoring the implementation of its new system and continues to educate the public about the program. In February, the City launched a public education and outreach campaign around the program and continues to provide guidance to residents and business owners. Coordinators have met with many organizations and associations to provide information about the program and help answer questions. Inspectors have been knocking on doors, speaking directly with residents and sharing information with them to help them learn the proper way to set out trash and recyclables.

Here are a few helpful tips to properly set out trash and recyclables and avoid fines:

• Do not overfill the carts. The cart lids must be fully closed.
• Recycle loose clean bottles, cans, jugs, jars, paper and cardboard together in the cart with the orange lid. Do not put trash, food, clothing, plastic bags, plastic wrap, or Styrofoam into the recycling carts. List of Recyclable Materials
• Do not set out regular barrels, blue bins or bags curbside.
• Do not put your cart out earlier than 5:00 P.M. on the day before your scheduled collection day.
• Call ABC Disposal at (508) 999-2619 to schedule a bulky item pickup.

Beginning on Labor Day, the City will issue warnings if trash and recyclables are not properly set out on the designated collection day. The grace period for non-compliance will expire on September 30, 2014 and violations will result in fines thereafter.

The City of New Bedford Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance informational flyer is available here: Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance Informational Flyer. The ordinances describe how property owners and occupants must comply with the program and outline the fee schedule for failing to comply with the solid waste and recycling collection ordinances.

The Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series continues on Friday, August 15th at 7:00 PM with two short films: Hudson Shad and The Sardine Show. Dock-U-Mentaries is a co-production of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Working Waterfront Festival. Films about the working waterfront are screened on the third Friday of each month beginning at 7:00 PM in the theater of the Corson Maritime Learning Center, located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. All programs are open to the public and presented free of charge.

In the 1960s, folk music legend and environmental activist Pete Seeger, despairing over the pollution of the Hudson River, launched a project to clean it up. Hudson Shad (1974) is an 18 minute documentary chronicling the work of Pete Seeger and the “River Keepers” to clean up the Hudson River, keeping the waters clean enough for the shad to thrive. The film contains rare footage of shad fishermen at work on the Hudson.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified local boards of health of the finding of EEE in a primarily bird-biting mosquito sample obtained from the east side of Freetown.   In response to these findings, the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will conduct targeted ground spraying early on the morning of Thursday, August14, 2014.  This round of spraying will target the areas of Industrial Park and Sassaquin Pond as well as Buttonwood Park.  Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Thursday morning, weather permitting. Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows this evening prior to the spraying.

The Bristol County Mosquito Control Project has been conducting surveillance in our area to track the potential for EEE and WNV carrying mosquitoes. Mosquito traps are in place to collect additional pools of mosquitoes and monitoring of mosquito populations will be on-going to assess the effectiveness of the spraying effort.

Residents may request a ground spray by calling the Bristol County Mosquito Control project at (508) 823-5253, between 8:00am – 2:00pm (June – September), or contacting them by E-mail at RequestBristolMCP@comcast.net. 

The following precautions are advised:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label.  DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children.  Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.  Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

CITY OF NEW BEDFORD
PARKING LOT CASHIER $11.72hr (temporary part-time 19hr/wk)
TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Collects parking lot fees and tickets. Performs maintenance and security of designated area, namely parking lot or parking garage.

Collects fees and tickets. Provides security within garage to limit thefts and vandalism of vehicles occupying garage and garage property. Maintains garage and office to ensure they are kept clean and orderly.

High school graduate or GED equivalent preferred. Familiar with customer service professional interactions. Counts money to verify amounts and issues receipts for funds received. Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer.

Mandatory CORI (Criminal Offender Record Investigation) background check per City Council Ordinance effective May 14, 2013.

For application/complete job description, please visit www.newbedford-ma.gov or contact Personnel Dept., 133 William St., Room 212, 508-979-1444. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. New Bedford has a residency requirement. EEO

APPLICATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 22, 2014

Edaville USA is super excited for our Hello Kitty Weekend being held from on August 16th and 17th. Everyone’s favorite internationally loved kitten has come to Edaville USA. Come enjoy hugs from the Kitty herself and some great photo opportunities. These special days includes unlimited use of the park and a 20 minute train ride through the picturesque woodlands and cranberry bogs.

VIP Package is available for $50 and includes admission to the park for participating child, make your own Hello Kitty Headband with our Hello Kitty Girls (headband will include ears and a bow), Hello Kitty Hair Styling (Pigtails with sparkles or Bun with Sparkles), nail painting, shimmer make up, Edaville USA gift bag with goodies, a balloon, face gem, water or lemonade, and a very special appearance by Hello Kitty!

All rides and attractions are included in general park admission, so guests will be able to visit Dinoland and also enjoy unlimited use of all park amusements. General admission will be $20, with free entrance to guests under the age of 2, and $17 for seniors. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.edaville.com or at the park entrance.

For more information click here.

10am – 5pm. $20 Ages 2-59, $17 Ages 60+. Under 2 are Free. All park rides and attractions included!

$50 Package Includes:

• Admission to the Park for participating child
• Make your own Hello Kitty Headband with our Hello Kitty Girls (headband will include ears and a bow)
• Hello Kitty Hair Styling (Pig Tails with sparkles or Bun with Sparkles)
• Nails Painted
• Shimmer Make Up
• Edaville USA gift Bag with goodies inside
• Balloon
• Face Gem
• Water or Lemonade

A very special appearance by Hello Kitty! Call to reserve (508)866-8190.