Thanks to the innovation of RVers who have blazed the frontier, the opportunities of working while living in the RV are no longer strictly limited to campground hosting. If you would like to full-time in your RV, but still need to earn an income – or if you are already full-timing, but yearn to take a break from the road and earn some cash, the answer may be easier than you think.
Jobs for the RVer are only limited by the imagination, and include everything from greeting the public at theme park resorts to tracking wildlife migration patterns in an isolated forest. Most tourist destinations find it difficult to retain seasonal help and welcome the prospective employee looking for temporary work. Particularly during the off-season when the weather is milder, working hours are shorter and there are fewer crowds to contend with.
Professionals happy with their career choices, and willing to meet the individual licensing requirements of various states, can take on temporary positions while traveling. For those who crave the open road, leading an RV caravan will give you a front row seat. If attending rallies is your forte, becoming a business representative will provide a full-time travel schedule. Determine what type of work you enjoy and where you want to be.
“Those who are interested in self-employment while RVing often acquire contract work through government agencies such as the National Park Service, BLM, or Corps of Engineers.”
Those who are interested in self-employment while RVing often acquire contract work through government agencies such as the National Park Service, BLM, or Corps of Engineers. Contracts are generally awarded to the lowest bidder. In this arena it is important to first do the research to ensure you are fairly compensated. Start by requesting prior bids outlining the scope of work required. Your proposal should factor in personal expenses such as supplies, travel mileage, and if necessary, the bonding fee. Jobs that involve handling park entry or campground fees may require converting the money to a cashier’s check prior to submitting the fees to a Field Office. Take all details into consideration prior to submitting a bid.
Finding work as you travel in the RV will take a bit more ingenuity than circling the classifieds and pounding the pavement. Aside from word of mouth, the best resource can be found by hitting the information highway. Most local libraries offer free Internet service, and a current campsite address is usually all that will be required for a local access card. Use the key words ‘RV Work’ to pull up a number of informative websites listing employment descriptions, availability and even job fairs scheduled throughout various parts of the country.
Draft a resume that includes your hobbies. Explain that you live and travel in an RV. During the search you will likely find that many employment opportunities seek a couple, which is a normal practice of employers desiring two employees for the use of one camping space. If you find the position appealing, but you are traveling alone, don’t throw in the cards. Contact the employer and discuss your willingness to work longer hours or a variety of tasks that will be a fair exchange of compensation for only one person using the offered campsite. Only seek work at reputable places, and if you can get the job agreement in writing, you will be miles ahead of the game should problems arise.
“You could help the Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity, a group that's always setting up locations for RVers to come together, build a project and make new friends.”
When a potential job peaks your interest, iron out all the details. Get firm answers to compensation, the amount of hours you will be required to work, any perks, and how long the job is expected to last. Visiting the potential job site is preferable, but not always possible. If you know someone who lives nearby, ask them to scout the surroundings for you.
Hookups are the number one perk to working on the road, but can occasionally cloud the issue of fair compensation. If the position offers free hookups, confirm exactly what type of accommodations you can expect. When rate of pay is based to include the campsite, add that value to your wage and divide the two figures by hours you are expected to work to get a firm idea of your actual salary. Some positions deduct campsite fees, and occasionally utility costs, from the employee’s paycheck. Get firm figures on what you will be expected to pay.
Regardless of what type of work you decide to do, first consult with a tax attorney in your state of residence to learn the proper way to report this new income. In some states the benefit of free hookups may be considered compensation.
Maybe you don’t need the money, but like the idea of being ‘part of a team.’ If this is the case you might think about becoming a volunteer. You could help the Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity, a group that is always setting up locations for RVers to come together, build a project and make new friends. If wildlife is your interest, take on a volunteer assignment through the National Park or National Forest Service.
With a good work ethic and confidence in the product or business you are promoting, any type of employment is possible while living in your RV. Say goodbye to the days of parking the coach on Sunday night and heading back to the office Monday morning. From now on your new office is going to be the open road. |
