We are often asked, “How can I get a job at 5 Rivers?” While we are fortunate to have a great team, vacancies do occasionally occur. As an agency of the State of Alabama, many of our positions are vetted through employment registers maintained by the State Personnel Department in Montgomery. In many cases, we need qualified individuals to apply for positions WELL BEFORE VACANCIES OCCUR.
The goal of this page is to give prospective applicants an idea of the job classifications used at 5 Rivers and some information on how to apply for those jobs, so we can have a great applicant pool in place when openings occur.
5 Rivers has 5 work areas:
Departments
- State Lands Manager: Serves as general manager of the facility. Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in biological or natural resources fields; 5 years general administrative experience. This classification only accepts new applications when requested by a state agency. If you want to be notified when this classification opens for new applicants, click here.
- Administrative Support Assistant II (ASA II) This position provides all manner of administrative and accounting support to the facility. Minimum requirements: High School Diploma or GED and 3 years clerical work experience. This classification is continuously open for new applicants through the State Personnel Department, who routinely reviews all applications and updates the employment register. If a vacancy occurs at 5 Rivers, we will only be able to interview and select from the top 10 applicants on the register at that time.
- Natural Resource Planner: This position manages all education/outreach programs and activities and supervises education staff. Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental/Biological/Natural Resources field and one year experience. This classification only accepts new applications when requested by a state agency. If you want to be notified when this classification opens for new applicants, click here.
- Biologist Aide: Employees in this classification implement educational programs and maintain exhibits (including live animal care). Minimum requirements: High School Diploma or GED and 2 years of biological field work or data collection. This classification is continuously open for new applicants through the State Personnel Department, who routinely reviews all applications and updates the employment register. If a vacancy occurs at 5 Rivers, we will only be able to interview and select from applicants that have applied online via the Alabama State Personnel website.
- Resort Worker (Event Coordinator): These positions are responsible for scheduling and planning logistics associated with meeting and banquet rental events. Minimum qualifications: High School Diploma or GED; Previous experience with service and catering industries or event planning is preferred. This is a non-merit, direct appointment position. When vacancies occur, candidates submit a state application form directly to 5 Rivers’ management staff. You may fill out an application for this classification and submit it to 5 Rivers at any time. We will keep applications on file for this classification for 6 months.
- Maintenance and Repair Supervisor: Oversees all aspects of maintenance of the facility and supervises the maintenance crew. Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma/GED and 2 years of experience in a building trade. This classification is continuously open for new applicants through the State Personnel Department, who routinely reviews all applications and updates the employment register. If a vacancy occurs at 5 Rivers, we will only be able to interview and select from the top 10 applicants on the register at that time.
- Maintenance Repairer: Serves as Assistant Maintenance Supervisor for the facility and works with Maintenance and Repair Supervisor to oversee maintenance. This classification is continuously open for new applicants through the State Personnel Department, who routinely reviews all applications and updates the employment register. If a vacancy occurs at 5 Rivers, we will only be able to interview and select from the top 10 applicants on the register at that time.
- Grounds Worker: Oversees maintenance of grounds and upkeep of grounds equipment. Minimum Qualifications: Completion of 6th grade and 2 years of experience in groundskeeping or gardening work. This is a Merit System position available by direct appointment. When vacancies occur, candidates submit a state application form directly to 5 Rivers’ management staff. You may fill out an application for this classification and submit it to 5 Rivers at any time. We will keep applications on file for this classification for 6 months.
- Custodial Worker: Responsible for custodial care of all buildings. Minimum qualifications: 6 months experience in janitorial work, grounds maintenance, or related work. This is a Merit System position available by direct appointment. When vacancies occur, candidates submit a state application form directly to 5 Rivers’ management staff. You may fill out an application for this classification and submit it to 5 Rivers at any time. We will keep applications on file for this classification for 6 months.
- Laborer: Duties include lawn maintenance, light carpentry, building maintenance, custodial work, and setup/breakdown/and cleanup of rental events. Direct Appointment, turn in application to 5 Rivers. When vacancies occur, candidates submit a state application form directly to 5 Rivers’ management staff. You may fill out an application for this classification and submit it to 5 Rivers at any time. We will keep applications on file for this classification for 6 months.
Cypress Gift Shop and Welcome Center
- Canteen Manager: Serves as manager of the Cypress Gift Shop and Welcome Center, maintaining inventory and exhibits and supervising clerks. Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma/GED and two years of retail experience (including 6 months supervisory experience). This classification is continuously open for new applicants through the State Personnel Department, who routinely reviews all applications and updates the employment register. If a vacancy occurs at 5 Rivers, we will only be able to interview and select from the top 10 applicants on the register at that time.
- Resort Worker (Gift Shop Clerk): Conducts retail sales, maintains inventory, and provides facility/tourist information. Minimum qualifications: High School Diploma or GED; Previous experience with wedding planning preferred. This is a non-merit direct appointment position. When vacancies occur, candidates submit a state application form (LINK) directly to 5 Rivers’ management staff. You may fill out an application for this classification and submit it to 5 Rivers at any time. We will keep applications on file for this classification for 6 months.
Please note the following:
Unless otherwise indicated, all positions are full time with the following benefits:
- Low-cost health insurance (optional dental, vision, and family coverage also available)
- 13 Paid Holidays per year
- Accrued sick and annual leave
- Retirement Benefit
The 5 Rivers facility is open 7 days a week from 8am-5pm.
Night and weekend work is to be expected in most positions.
Merit Positions:
Jobs in the State Classified Service are filled under a merit system which is based on competitive selection, following the principle that positions are filled on an equal opportunity basis. Permanent jobs with the State are filled by appointment from eligible lists made up of people who have successfully passed an examination, or have met the minimum requirements for a training andexperience evaluation. Each examination is based on the kind of experience, training, and knowledge needed for the particular kind of job. Examinations are open on a continuous basis for many job classifications. This means that a person can make application at any time. Because vacancies in these job classes occur at irregular intervals throughout the year, applications are accepted at all times to ensure that an up-to-date employment register is maintained. When a position becomes available, the applicants that have applied online are considered. You must be on the online register to be considered, and the registers are typically updated 3-4 times a year. Current and Continuous Job Announcements can be found at www.personnel.alabama.gov
Non-Merit Position:
Some jobs are direct appointment classifications. For these jobs no examination is given and no employment register is created. Applicants should make applications directly to the State agency of interest.
