1,000 New Jobs Promised by Seneca Nation for Buffalo
Job seekers who want to work at the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino lined up for applications at the Adams Mark Hotel Thursday. Despite the controversy surrounding the need for a third Western New York casino, the Seneca nation is promising 1,000 jobs for the unemployed.
More than 700 people already attended their employment preview, says Seneca Gaming Corporation spokesman Phil Pantano. Construction is under way on the actual casino site in downtown Buffalo. Pantano says that Seneca promises to create a $125 million casino and they need plenty of employees.
"When Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino opens we are going to need a full staff, not only a gaming department, but everything that goes on behind the scenes," said Pantano.
The Buffalo job preview was aimed to giving local residents information about the wide range of jobs that will be available when the Buffalo Creek Casino opens in the city's Cobblestone District in late 2007, said Christina Jimmerson, human resource director at Seneca Niagara Casino.
"The wages and benefits are definitely attractive," said a middle-aged man wearing a business suit who declined to give his name. "I have a decent job in information technology, but I'm getting a little bored."
Casino job offers range from slot and table game operators, to food service, finances and security. A retired Buffalo Police officer, Joe Lascola, went to apply for a security job. He says he has no problem working at a city casino.
"I welcome the casino in downtown Buffalo. We need something like this. Other than the HSBC Arena, there is not enough in the downtown area," Lascola said.
Robert Mootry says he is not a big fan of gambling, but enjoys working with people and believes the casino is the perfect venue for him. Mootry was in search of a possible public relations job. Brenda Davis says she was thrilled to see job opportunities. She returned to Buffalo and is unemployed.
"I have been unemployed for a year. I had moved to Louisiana, but came back to Buffalo just before the storm," said Davis.
4,000 workers were employed since Seneca opened casinos in Niagara Falls and Salamanca. Another woman named Renee says she was surprised by the variety of jobs beyond gaming. She worked for 18 years in special education and is now looking for a change.
"Marketing, finances or clerical, that type of a job. I am not much into gambling, so that is not intriguing to me," said Renee of Buffalo. She also revealed that the pay scale for some of the jobs was average, but believes the corporation would provide opportunity to grow.
