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Transportation Security Officer

Transportation Security Officers are responsible for providing security and protection of travelers across all transportation sectors in a courteous and professional manner. Their duties may also extend to securing high-profile events, important figures and/or anything that includes or impacts our transportation systems. Learn more about the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) role on the TSA Careers Website .

• Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

08/23/2024 to 11/19/2024

See "Duties" area of this announcement for detailed salary information per duty location

Pay scale & grade

Many vacancies in the following location:

• DEN - Denver International Denver, CO

Telework eligible

Travel required.

Occasional travel - A minimum of three (3) weeks of travel in a full-time duty status may be required to complete TSA's New Hire training. New Hire training and travel requirements vary by duty location and may require up to six (6) weeks of full-time duty status travel. This training will occur away from the employee's airport of record. Employees will be paid for compensable hours and reimbursed for authorized travel expenses per TSA Travel Policy. While employed with TSA, other occasional travel may be required.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type, work schedule.

Multiple Schedules

Promotion potential

Job family (series).

• 1802 Compliance Inspection And Support

Supervisory status

Security clearance.

Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk

Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness
• National security

Financial disclosure

Bargaining unit status, announcement number.

12527452-DEN-FT-PT

Control number

This job is open to.

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Open to All U.S. Citizens and U.S. Nationals

• Operating various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo and on passengers, and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
• Performing searches and screening, which may include physical interaction with passengers (e.g., pat-downs, search of property, etc.), conducting bag searches and lifting/carrying bags, bins, and property weighing up to 50lbs.
• Controlling terminal entry and exit points.
• Interacting with the public, giving directions and responding to inquiries.
• Maintaining focus and awareness while working in a stressful environment which includes noise from alarms, machinery and people, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive and angry passengers, in order to preserve the professional ability to identify and locate potentially life threatening or mass destruction devices, and to make effective decisions in both crisis and routine situations.
• Engaging in continuous development of critical thinking skills, necessary to mitigate actual and potential security threats, by identifying, evaluating, and applying appropriate situational options and approaches. This may include application of risk-based security screening protocols that vary based on program requirements.
• Retaining and implementing knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrating responsible and dependable behavior, and is open to change and adapts to new information or unexpected obstacles.

Requirements

Conditions of employment.

• You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
• You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
• Selective Service registration is required.
• Must pass a structured interview, drug screening, medical evaluation, and background investigation
• Subject to post-employment random drug and/or alcohol testing
• Must be available to work various shifts and overtime, as needed.
• Must be proficient in English (e.g., reading, writing, speaking, comprehending).
• Mandatory travel for training and occasional travel may be required
• Exposure to potentially lethal devices and dangerous chemicals is inherent in this position.

Physical Demands: Must meet and maintain physical requirements (including an assessment of physical abilities) including, but not limited to, the following:

• Maintain physical agility to ensure ability to squat and bend.
• Ability to repeatedly lift and manipulate baggage, containers, weighing approximately 50 pounds and other objects subject to security processing.
• Ability to walk up to three (3) miles during a shift and stand for prolonged periods (up to 4 hours) of time.

Qualifications

Reemployed Annuitants: Since the TSO position is permanent, it does not meet the eligibility requirement for a salary offset waiver under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2010. Therefore, former Federal or Postal Service employees who are receiving a civilian retirement annuity may have their salary reduced by the amount of their pension, which could result in a biweekly net pay as low as zero dollars ($0.00) or a debt owed to the Federal Government. TSO Dress and Appearance Responsibilities: TSOs must adhere to the current Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). For example, with the exception of half-inch diameter stud-style earrings, non-protruding ear gauges or spacers that match your skin and do not exceed one half-inch diameter, inconspicuous nose or tongue piercings that match your skin or tongue, body piercings may not be visible to the public. The CBA dictates if you have a tattoo that would be visible beyond the standard TSO uniform in areas such as the head and face including a partial tattoo that extends more than one inch beyond the upper neck or behind the ear, it could potentially render you ineligible for the position unless it was able to be covered at all times and not visible to the general public. Additionally, tattoos that are indecent, commonly associated with gangs, extremists, and/or supremacist organizations or that advocate sexual, racial, or religious discrimination, or have a negative impact on TSA's ability to carry out its mission must be covered at all times. Work Schedules for Full-time Positions: Specific work shifts and schedules will be determined by the airport.

• Full-time positions require 40 hours per week;
• Full-time work consists of shift-work on any day from Sunday through Saturday, which may include irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts and weekend shifts, changing shifts, and split shifts.
• A "split-shift" consists of any two work shifts, each lasting at least two (2) hours in one 24-hour period, with at least two (2) hours between work shifts.

Work Schedules for Part-time Positions: Specific work shifts and schedules will be determined by the airport.

• Part-time shifts generally range from 16-32 hours per week
• Part-time work consists of shift-work on any day from Sunday through Saturday, which may include irregular hours, nights, holidays, overtime, extended shifts and weekend shifts, changing shifts, and split shifts
• A "split-shift" consists of any two work shifts, each lasting at least two (2) hours in one 24-hour period, with at least two (2) hours between work shifts

Maintaining Employment: All TSOs must maintain the standard level of certification and fitness for duty, to include:

• Completing classroom training, on-the-job training, and all initial certification testing
• Recurrent and specialized training and recertification tests on a periodic basis
• Passing background investigations, including a criminal check and credit check, and all randomly administered drug and alcohol screening tests.

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of the experience and/or related education as reflected in your resume and supporting documentation. You are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show possession of the competencies required for this position. We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and any supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your category placement may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Grouping procedures. Under Category Grouping, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

• Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.
• Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis.
• Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.
• Attention to Detail
• Conscientiousness
• Critical Thinking
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Oral Communication
• Visual Observation

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

In addition to a resume and the assessment questions, you must submit copies of any of the following documents if you are applying based on current or former Federal Government Status, Veterans' Preference or eligible Veterans' Service (a veteran who was honorably discharged from the armed forces after completing at least three (3) years of continuous active duty service), or education or a combination of education and experience: DD-214 - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference or eligible Veterans' Service, provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4), Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other appropriate documentation to prove your entitlement and to provide verification of an Honorable Discharge. SF-15 and VA Letter - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference based upon a Compensable Disability, Widow or Spouse Entitlement, or as a Purple Heart recipient, you must submit your DD-214 or other proof of entitlement; an SF-15, and the required proof of disability, i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs letter dated 1991 or later. If you do not submit required documentation described in this job opportunity announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment , and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities.

• To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
• Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
• Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
• After submitting an online application, you will be notified that your application was received. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
• If you are found eligible for the position, you will receive an invitation from [email protected] to schedule a proctored examination at a test center near you. If you have trouble locating the invitation, check the Spam or Junk folders in your email account or log into your USAJOBS account and click the "Track this application" button to check for copies of any email communications which may have been blocked or identified as spam by your email services provider. Failure to comply with this deadline will result in your application being closed. If closed, you will need to reapply to a future job announcement.
• We encourage you to apply online. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact [email protected] .

Agency contact information

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to schedule a proctored examination at a testing center near you. You must schedule and complete this proctored examination at a TSA Testing Center within 21 days of successfully completing the online assessment. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Passing assessment results will be kept on record for two years and failed assessment results will be kept on record for six months. These results will be used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments during the specified timeframe. To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/ .

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request

Required Documents

How to apply, fair & transparent.

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov . For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/806442500 . Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

Learn more about

Transportation Security Administration

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. Securing Travel, Protecting People - At the Transportation Security Administration, you will serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, you would secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and/or public transit systems, thus protecting America's transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Transportation Security Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.tsa.gov/about/

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An official website of the United States government

DEFENSE TRAVEL ADMINISTRATOR

This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Veterans Preference: Veterans preference does not apply under this Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

• Reviewing applications

Open & closing dates

08/21/2024 to 08/26/2024

$60,515 - $78,669 per year

Pay scale & grade

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Indianapolis, IN 1 vacancy

Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type, work schedule.

Competitive

Promotion potential

Job family (series).

• 0501 Financial Administration And Program

Supervisory status

Security clearance, position sensitivity and risk.

Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process

• National security

Financial disclosure

Bargaining unit status, announcement number.

DHA-12521549-24-AEH

Control number

This job is open to.

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

All U.S Citizens

• Implement, Sustain and Support the DTS system for the Army. Researches and Resolves issues and or problems in the DTS Systems installation of the required browser plug-in and connectivity, establishment of organizations, groups and routing list.
• Monitors Army Command user information and interprets information to ensure that controls user access to Privacy Act information is protected. and travel documents.
• Assists the organizational DTA with the maintenance of traveler's profiles, organizational data, reporting, budgetary and Routing Lists. document flow procedures.
• Coordinates the Army training program for the DTA personnel and assists the organizational DTA personnel with the training for Authorizing Officials/Certifying Officials (AO/CO), DTA's, travelers and other users.

Requirements

Conditions of employment.

• Must be a U.S.Citizen.
• This is a national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Department of the Army DA Civilians must successfully complete all mandatory Civilian Education System CES courses which may require travel.
• Obtain and maintain FM Certification.

Qualifications

GS-9 Substitution of Education for Experience: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, Master's or equivalent graduate degree, may be substituted to meet the qualifying experience requirement. If you are using education to substitute for the qualifying experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education . Foreign Education : If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services at the time of application. National Association of Credential Evaluation Services .

Additional information

• Veterans preference does not apply under this Direct-Hire Authority (DHA).
• A one year probationary or trial period may be required.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
• PCS MAY be authorized.
• Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives MAY be authorized. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
• This is a Financial Management Level 2 Certified position. IAW Public Law 112-81 and DoD Policy the incumbent shall comply with the requirements of DoD FM Certification Program.
• For more information on veterans' preference click here .
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (to verify your registration status click here ).
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position.
• The Department of Defense (DoD) policy on employment of annuitants issued March 18, 2004 will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants. It is applicable to former Federal civilian employees receiving a retirement annuity from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund that are hired within the DoD on or after November 24, 2003. The policy also applies to annuitants (appointed in DoD on/or after November 24, 2003) who move from one position to another within DoD through voluntary reassignment, promotion, change to lower grade or transfer between military departments. The view this policy, please copy and paste the following web address into your web browser: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1400.25-V300.pdf .
• This position is subject to the limitations imposed by the DOD Priority Placement Program.
• Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
• PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
• For more information regarding qualifications requirements please click here .
• You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility.
• Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information. All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

• Communication
• Financial Management Systems
• Technical Competence

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

• Transcripts (if applicable) If you are substituting education for specialized experience you must submit all of your transcripts. The absence of this information will result in an ineligible rating.
• SF-50 - (if applicable) Notification of Personnel Action for current or former federal employees- with the exception of current permanent DISA employees, please provide your most recent SF50 or the SF50 reflecting Career/Career-Conditional tenure and the highest grade held on a permanent basis.
• Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable):
• For Five Point Veterans Preference: DD-214 (Member Copy 4), or, if you are CURRENTLY serving on active duty, a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered on active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For those supplying the statement of service, preference will be verified by a DD-214 (Member Copy 4) upon separation from the military.
• For Ten Point Veterans Preference: DD-214 (Member Copy 4). Veterans with a service-connected disability must also submit a VA letter dated 1991 or later.
• ICTAP Eligible (if applicable) - A copy of the RIF separation notice and SF50 if available.
• Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Your Resume
• Your resume MUST include the following information for each job listed: Job title; duties (be as detailed as possible); month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); and full- time or part-time status (include hours worked per week). Read more about what should I include in my federal resume here .
• DO NOT include the following information: Classified or government sensitive information; Social Security Number; Photos of yourself; Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.; or encrypted and digitally signed documents. Read more about what should I leave out of my resume here .
• A complete Assessment Questionnaire
• Other required supporting documents: (SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS)
• Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
• Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
• Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
• WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) on08/26/2024 , or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The occupational questionnaire and the resume that you submit will be used to assess your qualifications for the job, and to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request

Required Documents

How to apply, fair & transparent.

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov . For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/805654800 . Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

Learn more about

US Army Financial Management Command

USAFMCOM is a Major Subordinate Command to the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) whose mission is to deliver logistics, sustainment and material readiness from the installation to the forward tactical edge to ensure globally dominant land force capabilities. USAFMCOM performs Army-wide and Army-unique actions such as financial management functions and financial support services. These include but are not limited to: financial systems support and sustainment; technical training; electronic commerce; classified finance and accounting; audit resolution strategies; standardization of financial business processes; functional sustainment to the General Funds Enterprise Business System (GFEBS) ERP, as well as liaison functions throughout the Army and Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). USAFMCOM also provides technical coordination for Finance and Comptroller (FC) units and military pay support with commands across the Army, in order to ensure the effective implementation of policies and programs to support optimally resourcing the Army and supporting Soldiers.

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• Best overall
• Best for expensive trips
• Best for older travelers
• Best for affordability
• Best for annual plans
• Why You Should Trust Us

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Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate travel insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

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Best Senior Travel Insurance for Age Limits

Travelsafe insurance.

TravelSafe is a great choice for older travelers, even among seniors, insuring travelers up to 100 years old. TravelSafe also offers pre-existing condition waivers for all its tiers when you purchase your policy within 21 days of your initial trip deposit. With a great deal of flexibility, travelers don't have to worry about eligibility when purchasing travel insurance with TravelSafe. TravelSafe even has two tiers of coverage devoted specifically to golfers. 

Read our TravelSafe travel insurance review .

Best Senior Travel Insurance for Affordability

Geoblue travel insurance.

GeoBlue is a travel insurance provider that specializes in travel medical insurance . Because it doesn't offer much trip protection or travel inconvenience coverage, it can charge cheaper premiums than its competitors, earning it a spot among the best cheap travel insurance .

GeoBlue's policies cover travelers who are under 95 years old, offering sizeable coverage for emergency medical treatments (up to $1 million) and medical evacuations (up to $500K). It's worth noting that while coverage for pre-existing conditions are available, it costs extra.

Read our GeoBlue Travel Insurance review .

Best Senior Travel Insurance for Annual Plans

Travel guard.

Travel Guard offers comprehensive insurance plans for shorter and longer trips. One of its more unique offerings is its Travel Guard Annual Plan.

This annual travel insurance policy comes with standard coverage benefits (trip delay, baggage loss, etc.) and substantial coverage amounts, which is important for seniors who travel multiple times per year. Travel Guard also offers a pre-existing medical condition waiver, meaning those with certain medical issues can still gain coverage.

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review .

Understanding Travel Insurance for Seniors

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand what travel insurance is and why it's particularly important for senior travelers. The best travel insurance offers financial protection against unexpected events affecting your trip, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Types of coverage

• Medical Coverage: Ensures your medical expenses are covered in case of illness or injury.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage: Provides reimbursement if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen events.
• Baggage Coverage: Covers loss, damage, or theft of personal items during your trip.
• Pre-existing condition coverage:  Can mean two different things: coverage for trip cancellations as a result of pre-existing conditions or medical expenses as a result of pre-existing conditions. Either way, policy must be purchased within a certain time frame from when you booked your trip, usually two or three weeks.

Benefits of travel insurance for seniors

• Peace of Mind: Knowing you're covered in case of emergencies can make your travel stress-free.
• Financial Protection: Shields you from potentially overwhelming medical costs and trip cancellations fees.
• Assistance Services: Many plans offer 24/7 assistance services, providing help whenever and wherever you need it.

Making the most of your plan

After choosing a plan, it's crucial to understand your policy fully and know what services are available to you in case of an emergency.

Understanding your policy

When you purchase a travel insurance policy, you'll be able to see a description of benefits, which is a long document that describes the exceptions and limitations to your coverage. You should carefully review this document so you're not blindsided by unexpected claim denials. 

For example, if you're canceling a trip because unexpected work, you may not be eligible for coverage if you haven't worked at your company for long enough. Additionally, you should review your policy to ensure that your pre-existing condition is covered, as companies often have very specific language around what qualifies as a covered pre-existing condition.

Emergency assistance services

Most companies offer a 24/7 concierge service that can help you navigate situations that arise during your trip, even issues beyond the scope of your policy. They can advise you on how to navigate these situations in accordance with your policy and make sure you acquire the necessary documentation when you need to file a claim down the line.

How to Pick Travel Insurance as a Senior Traveler

It's wise to compare several different travel insurance policies for the best coverage and pricing, as premiums vary widely between insurers and depend on factors like your age and travel destination.

That said, some of the more essential coverages to look for if you're a senior citizen include:

• Travel medical coverage - This coverage will pay for your medical bills outside the U.S.
• Medical evacuation coverage - If you're injured or become sick while traveling, this coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if your condition necessitates it.
• Pre-existing conditions - Coverage for known health conditions. You'll need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time period from when you book your trip to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver .
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) - The name says it all! It'll cost extra and you'll need to purchase insurance early, but it's the most comprehensive trip cancellation coverage you can get. Note that CFAR insurance usually only covers up to 75% of your trip fees.
• Trip cancellation insurance - This coverage provides reimbursement for your prepaid and nonrefundable costs if you cannot make your trip due to an unforeseen event.
• Baggage delay insurance - This coverage will reimburse you for essentials like toiletries and clothes if your bags are delayed.
• Lost luggage insurance - This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount if your bags get lost en route.

Of these, the most critical to note are whether or not your policy covers pre-existing conditions and the limits for travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation.

Some insurance companies offer a waiver that will cover pre-existing conditions. You'll have to follow the requirements for adding a waiver to your policy, like insuring the entire cost of your trip. Or purchase the policy within a specific time after making your first trip deposit payments.

You'll also want to find a policy with high maximum limits for travel medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage. These types of expenses can be substantial, so you want to have appropriate coverage.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Senior Travel Insurance

When comparing senior travel insurance options, we looked at the following factors to evaluate each travel insurance provider:

• Coverage limits: We looked at each travel insurance company's coverage amounts for benefits like medical emergencies and trip cancellation.
• Flexibility: We looked at how customizable a policy is, so you can choose what your travel insurance policy covers and how much coverage you receive. We also looked at the age limits for a company's policy. 
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions are one of the more critical factors for travel insurance for senior citizens, so we looked at travel insurance companies that offer the best coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Price: We compared travel insurance providers offering reasonable basic and comprehensive coverage rates. We also looked at how travel insurance companies price senior travel insurance compared to travel insurance for younger travelers.
• Benefits for seniors: We compared travel insurance companies that offer solid coverage for senior citizens, like medical evacuation, COVID-19 coverage, and trip cancellation.

You can read more about Business Insider's travel insurance rating methodology .

Best Senior Travel Insurance FAQ

Seniors should look for travel insurance policies that offer comprehensive medical coverage, including for pre-existing conditions and emergency medical evacuation. They should also consider policies with higher coverage limits to ensure adequate protection. Additionally, seniors should seek travel insurance plans that provide 24/7 assistance services, as well as coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and baggage protection.

When it comes to saving money on senior travel insurance, you should only be covering the services that you need. For example, if your plane ticket and hotel stay are refundable, there's no need to purchase trip cancellation. Seniors can also look into multi-trip insurance, which can save you money if you're planning multiple trips in a year.

All travel insurance companies included in this guide offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as long as you buy your policy within the qualifying period from when you placed your trip deposit.

The best travel insurance for seniors is Allianz due to its wide array of medical coverages and emergency medical transport. Allianz also offers multi-trip insurance policies, which could make sense for seniors who travel frequently.

Most travel insurance companies will have an age limit, often only insuring people 80 years old and younger. However, many of the insurance companies in our guide have higher limits or no age limit at all.

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Want to Travel in Retirement? Here's What to Know

Travel in retirement is a dream for many people. Here are 12 tips to make the reality of it more enjoyable.

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Many people travel in retirement. And a lot of them aren’t traveling on the cheap: Americans ages 50 and older say they plan to spend more than $6,650 on vacations this year, and about half say they’ll spend more than they did in 2023, an  AARP survey found.

Some plan to venture abroad, while others plan to travel stateside. But no matter where you’re headed, there are steps you can take to make vacationing in retirement smoother, more enjoyable, and less expensive .  

1. Pack light

Nobody wants to schlep around heavy bags, but traveling light is especially important if you have mobility issues or physical limitations of some sort. “We try to never pack more than we can carry in one trip,” says Veronica James, who chronicles her travel experiences in retirement with her husband, David, at the Gypsy Nesters blog . “This eliminates leaving bags laying around while flagging a cab or catching a bus, or even while we are checking into a hotel. Everything is always with us.”

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Tip: Buy a few packing cubes — small, compressible bags that you can use to fit more clothes in your suitcase. 

2. Fight jet lag

“One issue that has definitely not gotten better [with age] is jet lag,” Veronica says. “Living in Southern California and having our daughter and grandchildren nine time zones away in Paris has led us to some world-class bouts of jet lag over the past few years.” To combat jet leg, the Jameses like to break up their trips to Paris by stopping in New York or Boston, where they visit family for a few days before resuming their trip across the Atlantic. 

Tip: Stay hydrated while you’re flying, since dehydration can worsen the physical symptoms of jet lag, studies show.

3. Choose an aisle seat on long flights

Seniors are at greater risk of suffering deep vein thrombosis brought on by lack of movement. If you’re taking a long flight, selecting an aisle seat can make it easier for you to stand and stretch, which will also help to prevent your muscles from becoming tense and stiff.

Tip: To help prevent blood clots, the National Blood Clot Alliance recommends walking for 30 minutes before boarding a flight. Wearing compressions socks can also help reduce the risk of blood clots if you have circulation issues.

4. Stay hydrated

Extreme heat is more dangerous for older people, whose bodies are at greater risk of dehydration, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Make sure to drink plenty of water while traveling and watch out for signs of dehydration, such as fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, headaches, chills, muscle cramps, or flushed skin.

Tip: In addition to drinking water, eating foods that are high in water content, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, apples, watermelon, and celery, can help you stay hydrated.

5. Watch out for travel scams

About one in three adults say they've been scammed when booking or taking trips, with a third of those losing $1,000 or more, a recent McAfee survey of over 7,000 people found. Although anyone can fall victim to a travel scam, older travelers should be extra vigilant, since they’re often targeted by fraudsters.

Tip: Be suspicious if you don’t see a contact page or a physical address, phone number, or email address on a travel booking website. It could be an indication of a bogus company that’s out to hijack your travel dollars. If you do fall victim to a travel scam, report the fraud to the FTC online or by calling 877-382-4357.

6. Consider alternative destinations

You may very well have a “bucket list” of places to visit that includes popular tourist destinations. But you could save money—and avoid large crowds—by traveling to less-frequented cities. According to the AARP poll, 29% of those ages 50 to 59, 23% of those in their 60s, and 18% of adults 70 and older say they're willing to visit unique or off-the-beaten-path destinations. 

Tip: Looking to travel to Europe ? Instead of going to highly sought-after destinations like Italy, Spain, or Amsterdam, consider less-frequented countries such as Lithuania, Bulgaria, or Georgia, where you can find cheaper flights and hotel rates. Check out 6 Great International Vacations You Can Afford .

7. Take advantage of senior discounts 

Keep an eye out for cheaper hotels, cruises, and rental car rates for seniors, as well as senior discounts at restaurants and attractions. 

Tip: Planning to travel by train in the U.S.? Amtrak offers customers 65 and older a 10% discount on most rail fares and routes. Love exploring national parks? People ages 62 and older can purchase a one-year America the Beautiful — the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for just $20 or a lifetime pass for $80.

8. Never put medications in checked luggage

Always keep your medication in a carry-on bag on to avoid issues if your luggage gets lost. 

Tip: Carry a list of your meds, with your doctor’s contact information, in case you need to replace any lost medications during your trip. 

9. Purchase travel medical insurance

Medicare might provide you with limited emergency care coverage when you’re traveling outside the United States, but it won’t cover most medical evacuations. That’s where a travel medical insurance policy comes in. The average plan costs $89, according to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth , but costs can vary depending on your age and the policy’s coverage limits and exclusions. Even healthy seniors could benefit from purchasing a policy, since older people are more prone to falls and accidents due to decreased bone density, balance issues, and slower reflexes. 

Tip: If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, make sure the travel medical insurance policy covers them. 

10. Utilize memberships for travel deals and discounts

Jennifer Huber, author of the Solo Travel Girl blog , says she takes advantage of her memberships to AAA and AARP to score lower hotel rates. Moreover, “I hold an annual membership to the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda, Florida, and because they belong to the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Garden Network, I receive free admission to more than 360 [gardens] in North America,” she says. “Last year, I visited at least four gardens during my travels, in addition to the home gardens, so the membership paid for itself.”

Tip: If you like to go to museums while you travel, consider joining a museum that includes access to the North American Reciprocal Museum Association, which offers free admission to hundreds of cultural institutions across the U.S., Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. You can find participating museums on NARM’s website . 

11. Choose a hotel that meets your needs

Not all hotels can accommodate guests with mobility issues. If stairs are a problem for you, make sure the hotel has a working elevator—or see if they can provide you with a room on the ground level.

Tip: If you use a wheelchair, call the hotel and ask whether the bathroom is spacious enough to fit a wheelchair and whether the shower has grab bars.

12. Use a travel rewards credit card

“One of the most important ways to cut your travel costs is to get credit cards that provide the most travel benefits,” says Jim Ferri a retired travel agent and the author of the Never Stop Traveling blog . In fact, many credit card companies market their rewards cards to retirees, who often have a significant amount of disposable income earmarked for travel. “Credit card companies, especially those in the travel industry, are eager to have you as a client,” Ferri says. 

His advice: “Look for cards that provide many benefits, such as thousands of points in sign-up bonuses, airline incidental statement credits, and free or discounted Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.”

Tip: Check out Kiplinger’s list of the best travel rewards credit cards to find a card that suits your spending and travel behaviors. 

Related Content

• 13 Money-Saving Travel Tips for Retirees
• Retire Early for Adventure: Travel and Volunteer
• Four Keys to Budgeting for Travel in Retirement

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Daniel Bortz is a freelance writer based in Arlington, Va. His work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, and Money magazine, among others.  

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ELVIRA PELLEGRINO

Elvira (Arlia) Pellegrino, 92, formerly of Yorkville, OH, died, Saturday, August 24, 2024, at The Wyngate Senior Living Center in Weirton, WV.

Elvira was born on February 23, 1932, in Belmonte Calabro, Italy, to the late Gabriel and Antonia (Porco) Arlia. At age 15, she left her homeland of Italy to travel across rough waters with her Mother and brother to be reunited with her father who was working in Weirton, WV., to provide a new life for his family.

She married Francesco Pellegrino on April 11, 1959 and soon became a home maker in Yorkville, OH., where she raised her 2 children.

Elvira ‘s strong faith in God was exemplified by her many years of involvement at St. Lucy’s Parish. She enjoyed gardening, vacations at the beach, sewing and crocheting, visiting with family and friends, and cooking. She especially relished her time with her grandchildren whom she called “mia tesori” and “gioia mia”.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Francesco Pellegrino in 2019. She is survived by a son, John (Susie) Pellegrino; a daughter, Josie (Andrew) Huck and three grandchildren, Vince and (Kate) Huck, Andy Pellegrino, and Anthony Huck. Also left to cherish her memory are her brother, Fedele (Wanda Lee) Arlia, sister, Rita Orler, nephews Michael (Mary Beth) Arlia, Joe Orler, and niece Marci (Andy) Burris.

Friends will be received to pay tribute to Elvira and celebrate her life on Tuesday Aug. 27, from 4-8, at the Borkoski Funeral Home, Tiltonsville, OH, with a vigil at 4:30 pm, with Father William Cross.

Funeral Liturgy with mass will be held on Wednesday Aug. 28 at 9:30 am, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Tiltonsville, OH. Entombment will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens, Colerain, OH.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to St. Joseph’s Church.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for all the love and care provided by the staff at Wyngate Senior Living in Weirton.

Online condolences may be offered at www.borkoskifuneral homes.com

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What to Know About the Updated COVID Vaccine for Fall, Winter 2024–25

The updated COVID vaccine provides safe, effective protection against current variants for everyone 6 months and older.

Aliza Rosen

Amid an unexpectedly large surge of summer COVID infections in the U.S., and with the fall/winter virus season around the corner, updated COVID vaccines have arrived.

COVID vaccines are one of the best and safest ways to protect against severe illness and hospitalization. Updated COVID vaccines are chosen to target the variants currently circulating and are recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.

In this Q&A, Andy Pekosz , PhD, a professor in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology , discusses who the updated vaccine is recommended for, when to get yours, whether it’s safe to get it alongside other seasonal vaccines.

What’s new about this year’s updated COVID vaccines?

The updated mRNA COVID vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are based on the KP.2 strain, one of the FLiRT variants that have been spreading since early spring. These variants and their sub-variants have caused the majority of infections during this summer’s COVID wave.

Who should be getting an updated COVID vaccine?

Everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated against COVID, according to the CDC’s recommendations .

For children ages 6 months to 4 years: Vaccination is recommended, but the number of vaccinations is based on which vaccine they receive, their age, and whether they’ve received a previous COVID vaccine. Parents and guardians should refer to CDC guidance and check with their pediatrician to see what’s recommended for their child.

For people ages 5 years and up: One dose of the updated COVID vaccine is recommended, regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated previously. If someone has received a COVID vaccine recently, they should wait at least two months before getting the updated one for this season.

According to updated CDC guidelines, individuals who are immunocompromised may receive additional doses with their health care provider’s guidance.

When is the best time to get vaccinated?

This summer’s surge has been larger and lasted longer than many experts anticipated, making it a little trickier than years past to determine the best time to get vaccinated.

People who have not had COVID in the past few months have a couple options:

• Get the updated COVID vaccine as soon as it’s available  (late August, early September) to protect yourself as the wave of summer infections continues.
• Get the updated COVID vaccine around mid-October to build protection in time for the rise of cases that typically occur around November through January.

People at higher risk of severe illness should consider getting an updated COVID vaccine as soon as possible. Everyone who is eligible should get an updated COVID vaccine by mid-October in order to build immunity ahead of holiday travel and gatherings. Remember, it takes about two weeks to build up immunity following a vaccine, so schedule your vaccination accordingly.

How long does protection last after I'm vaccinated?

Broadly speaking, the COVID vaccine provides strong protection against infection for up to three months and protection against severe disease out to six months. That said, there are a lot of variables that can affect duration and strength of protection, including any new variants that may emerge and how different they are from the vaccine formulation.

If I had COVID recently, when should I get the updated vaccine?

If you’ve had COVID this summer, you’ll have strong infection-based immunity and can wait a few months after your infection before getting the vaccine. According to the CDC, you can wait three months since your symptoms began or, for asymptomatic cases, since you first tested positive.

There’s some evidence to support waiting as long as six months after a COVID infection to receive an updated vaccine. Waiting longer than the CDC’s guidance of three months is not recommended for high-risk groups, but it’s something people can discuss with their doctor.

How should I choose which COVID vaccine to get?

Between the two mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer, there is no reason to get one over the other. They target the same KP.2 variant, are similarly effective, and elicit similar side effects.

Is the COVID vaccine free?

The COVID vaccine is free under most health insurance plans and Medicare.

If you don’t have insurance to cover the cost of the COVID vaccine, look for vaccination clinics run by your local or state health department. Children under 18 may also be eligible to get a free COVID vaccine through the CDC’s Vaccines for Children Program .

You can find local pharmacies offering COVID vaccines at Vaccines.gov or by contacting your health care provider or local health department.

Are there any side effects to the updated COVID vaccine?

The common side effects are the same as with previous COVID vaccines. Symptoms like soreness at the injection site, achiness or joint pain, fatigue, slight fever, chills, or nausea are normal and not cause for concern. These side effects are a sign that your body is mounting an immune response—exactly what it’s supposed to do following a vaccine. Side effects generally subside within a day or two.

If I haven’t gotten any COVID vaccines yet, can I start with this one?

If you’ve never been vaccinated against COVID, now is a great time to start. People 5 years of age and older are considered up to date on COVID vaccination once they receive one dose of an updated mRNA COVID vaccine.

How well does the vaccine protect against the variants currently circulating?

The vaccine is a close match to variants currently circulating and provides good protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. While KP.2 is not causing a significant number of infections, the most prevalent variants circulating right now are very closely related to them. The vaccine will never be a perfect match to the circulating variants because it takes 2-4 months to make the vaccine, and during that time the virus continues to change as it infects people.

Is vaccine-induced immunity better than immunity from infection?

Vaccine-induced immunity is better because it’s safer. When you get infected with COVID, symptoms from the infection wreak havoc on your body. Whether or not you’ve been infected or vaccinated previously, the updated COVID vaccine is going to strengthen your immune responses to high levels and do so in a safe way.

Can I still get COVID if I’m vaccinated?

People who are vaccinated can still get COVID, but it is much more likely they will experience mild symptoms. Vaccinated people are much less likely to experience severe illness or get so sick that they need to be hospitalized. Data continue to show that those who are hospitalized with COVID are largely people who have not received a COVID vaccine within the past 12 months.

Particularly for people at higher risk of severe COVID, vaccination is an essential tool for reducing COVID complications, hospitalization, and death.

Can you get the flu shot and the COVID vaccine at the same time?

Yes! In fact, studies have shown that people who decide to spread out their vaccines into separate appointments often don’t follow through with getting both. We’ve also seen that the immune response generated by each vaccine does not change based on whether they are administered at the same time or separately.

It’s important to remember that many of the same populations at high risk of experiencing severe illness from COVID are also at high risk of severe influenza. Especially for these vulnerable populations, it’s a good idea to time your vaccines together.

When might we see a combined COVID and flu vaccine?

Some vaccine manufacturers have been working on developing a combined vaccine for COVID and flu, but we’re not there yet. We certainly won’t see a combined vaccine this year. It’s possible one will be ready in time for fall 2025, but we won’t know for sure until more clinical trial results are available.  

Aliza Rosen is a digital content strategist in the Office of External Affairs at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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• Understanding the CDC’s Updated COVID Isolation Guidance
• What to Know About COVID FLiRT Variants
• The Long History of mRNA Vaccines

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12 Super Fun Travel Jobs for Seniors and Retirees (2024)

By: Author Rosemary Bointon

Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2023

This is a guest post by Rosemary Bointon, a retired digital nomad with decades of experience living on the road.

Travel is probably the number one desire shared by both older people and younger ones alike. 

Empty nesters over 50s, seniors, and retirees see all the articles about young things legging it off to Thailand or Bali , and they want to go too.

But then all the doubts creep in. You need to save for your retirement or you want to finance the kids through college. If you’re already retired, maybe you think you can’t afford it. You don’t want to run out of money in case you get ill. And what if you get ill abroad? 

The dream starts to look impossible. 

But it doesn’t have to be like that. It’s quite possible to take off and exchange your mundane troubles for very different ones. Why not do what the youngsters do and work your way around the globe?  

It’s an interesting thought, but it leaves us with one big question…

There are tons of jobs that allow you to travel , but what are the best travel jobs for SENIORS?

Well, it turns out, there’s something for everyone.

In this guide, we’ll explore a bunch of different travel jobs for retirees, seniors, and older people—divided into four main categories:

• Digital nomad jobs for seniors
• Working in the travel industry
• Snowbirding and seasonal work
• Remote work

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to afford to take off into the wide blue yonder.

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

#1.) Blogging and Affiliate Marketing

#2.) write for other people, #3.) using your digital skills, #4.) selling products and services online, #5.) travel agent, #6.) tour guide, snowbirding and seasonal working, #7.) seasonal jobs for seniors, #8.) van life for senior travelers, #9.) house sitting and property caretaking, #10.) bookkeeping and tax preparer, #11.) coaches and counselors, #12.) hairdressers and beauticians, #13.) healthcare travel jobs for older workers, senior travel jobs: the experiences you’ll never regret, the digital nomad dream .

The seminal work on how to be a digital nomad is probably Tim Ferris’ Four Hour Work Week .

He describes how he set up life to only a few hours a week and live off passive income while traveling .

He’s inspired millions to do likewise.

It’s true that some people manage to earn a living by bashing away at their travel laptops from some remote location. We’ve all seen pictures of youngsters lying in hammocks working from tropical islands, carrying their compact digital nomad office setup with them to every new exotic destination…

There’s no reason why we can’t live that dream that too!

In fact, digital nomad trends show that seniors actually make up a big chunk of the demographic.

Before we get into the job ideas, this video covers everything you need to know about the logistics of starting a travel lifestyle.

And with that, let’s jump into our first category: Digital nomad jobs for seniors.

The Job: If writing your own blog grabs you, then start learning all about it now. When the lockdown is over and travel resumes, you’ll have the ability to take off and still keep earning a few dollars.  

The Skills: You need to learn how to write, find your tribe, use blogging platforms, market yourself, master social media, and monetize with ads, affiliate marketing, and other products. 

It can be a lot to bite off if you’re tech-challenged, and you can shorten the learning curve (and save yourself some big headaches) by taking a blogging course that guides you through the process systematically.

If you want to get some training, check out Fat Stacks Blogging (see Mitch’s full Fat Stacks review here).

If you’re specifically interested in travel blogging, this free mini-course will get you off to a good start. Then, check out this Travel Blog Prosperity review for a sneak peek behind an awesome exclusive membership community for travel bloggers.

Long term: It takes a lot of work and a lot of time to build up to earning a decent income from your blog, but it can be a huge amount of fun and you’ll meet a lot of interesting people along the way. Plus, you can do it from anywhere with an internet connection. Check out these travel blogs that make money for inspiration.

Show me the money: Theoretically, this can be one of the highest-paying location-independent jobs Some earn millions (take a look at Pat Flynn’s blog )! That said, others never earn anything. Most people earn quite modestly and it helps stretch their retirement funds. In fact, even if you don’t earn a cent, it’s still a fun way to entertain yourself while traveling while simultaneously documenting your adventures.

The Job : If you’ve got the writing skills, try your hand at writing for others. With so many people creating their own blogs, there is demand for content marketing, copywriting, editing, and proofreading too. Being comfortable with navigating SEO requirements helps a lot. While some jobs are in an office, it’s highly acceptable to work remotely and also freelance.  

The Skills: Pretty much the same skills are needed in terms of writing skills as for a blogger. You’ll also need to learn how to land entry-level writing jobs . One way is to learn to navigate the job boards. LinkedIn is also a great place to advertise your wares. You can build up a portfolio of work on Medium.com and if you get into their partnership program, you can start earning a small amount on everything you publish there.

Many new freelance writers find themselves stuck writing for peanuts. Let me assure you, it doesn’t have to be this way. One of the most effective ways to leapfrog into the “big leagues” is to take a content marketing certification course . This free webinar is also a good place to get started.

If you’d rather get paid to proofread other people’s writing, this free workshop teaches how to attract the best proofreading clients.

Medium-term: It takes a while to get jobs and build up a client base. Once you have a good reputation, it’s a lot easier and you can start putting up your rates.

Show me the money: A suggested starting rate is $200 USD for an article of 2000 words (around $0.10 per word). With that rate, you’d be able to make $50 a day online writing just a couple articles per week. And depending on what country you’re traveling in, this is more than enough!

You’ll find a lot of so-called ‘content mills’ offer far less than that. Try them if you want to get some experience but they can be very demanding as to quantity if not for quality. This remote jobs site often has loads of vetted freelance positions. And after you build some experience, this newsletter hand-picks the top 1% of freelance job opportunities and delivers them straight to your inbox each day.

For even more tips, check out this complete guide to the gig economy for boomers .

The Job: If you’re tech-savvy, it’s easy to find gigs you can take on the road. As long as you have a laptop, some sort of mobile hotspot for digital nomads to stay connected (and some quality digital nomad health insurance is a good idea too), you can work somewhere exotic. The kind of digital jobs that travel well are things like building and designing websites and setting up digital marketing systems such as email marketing. Cyber security is currently attracting a lot of interest as well.

The Skills: In this age of lockdown, more people need help with their online presence. They are looking for help with web design, computer programming, cyber security, payment systems, hosting services, agile working, client relationship management systems, software engineering, systems and project management, and many other kinds of information technology systems.  

It’s pretty technical. For example, you need to know that Python is not a snake but a coding language (nothing like Parseltongue – it isn’t magic at all) and Java isn’t coffee but another programming language. If you’ve already got some IT or digital technology skills, keep yourself up to date. Team players will have a good chance of finding a great job.

To brush up on your tech skills, grab this free trial to Skillshare where you’ll have unlimited access to all their courses. Then, if you decide you want to learn to code, check out Codeacademy .

If tech stuff sounds too complicated, check out these easy freelance jobs for beginners .

Medium Term: Try looking for jobs in places like Toptal for higher-end digital jobs. If you want some quick experience, try Fiverr . Their site has a lot of good advice for starting out. As for all consultancy jobs, you need to gain a reputation and build up a client base. Jobs are often full-time, but it is possible just to accept short-term gigs during a specific season as you travel slowly. The Retired Brains website is another good source of senior digital jobs.

Show me the money:   Some of these are the best paying travel jobs for retirees. If you’re working for clients on a regular basis, it’s not uncommon to earn USD 80 – 120 per hour for advanced work. If you are doing more routine jobs, it’ll obviously be a bit less. Toptal says its people earn between USD 800 – 3000 per week.

If you’ll be receiving international payments, you’ll also want to open up an account with one of these nomad-friendly banks . It’ll save you both money and headaches.

The Job: Many digital nomads are making a living selling (or rather, re-selling ) products and services online.

One example of this is a drop servicing business . This is similar to an agency model, except instead of hiring employees, you outsource work to affordable freelancers. So, say you land a client who pays you $1,500 to create an animated explainer video for their business. You then outsource the job to a freelancer who charges $500, which leaves you a nice $1,000 profit.

Another example is an Amazon FBA business . You source a product to sell on Amazon (usually from China), ship your inventory to Amazon warehouses, and pay them a cut of your profits to handle your orders for you.

The Skills: All of the skills needed for these types of businesses can be pieced together using free information and trial and error. But that’s not always the best way to go. It not only takes a lot longer to get up and running — cutting into your senior travel time — but it also increases your risk.

For drop servicing, this free webinar is a good place to start. I admit that it initially feels a bit “hyped up.” But if you make it to the middle section of the webinar, there are actually some useful gold nuggets in there. If you’re looking to get off the ground as quickly as possible, check out this Drop Servicing Blueprint review .

For an Amazon FBA business, this free masterclass is a good place to start. This is business model requires you to invest in initial inventory, so it’s definitely worth following a proven framework. This Marketplace Superheroes review gives an inside look at one of the most popular training programs.

Long Term: These businesses don’t grow overnight. They require front-loaded effort, but they also can offer the most flexibility and freedom. If set up correctly, they can become almost completely automated.

Show me the money:   Since your income is not directly tied to your time, there are really no limits to how much you can earn. It all depends on your margins and sales numbers.

Working in the Travel Industry

The Job: It’s always been a classic way to travel. You work for a travel agency and get to try out the holidays they offer so that you can sell them to clients all the better. The easiest way to get started is to get your toes wet working with a local travel agent.  Ask if you can be an intern, just for the experience. That way you’ll see if it’s the kind of job for you.

The Skills: You need to have great sales skills, superb organization, a great memory for names and faces, and loads of people skills— including big dollops of patience. You also need to know all about any particular holiday or travel schedule that a client might want. That means an intimate knowledge of all the season alternatives and insider tips that can transform an average holiday into a dream trip (and make your commissions soar).

You need good computer skills to navigate to websites to show to customers. You’ll also have to learn how different booking systems work. To set yourself up for success, it’s a good idea to get certified through companies like The Travel Institute .

Long Term: Working as a travel agent is a long-term job, whether you work for an agency or run your own business. Just be aware that those wonderful-looking familiarization trips are actually rather hard work. You might be required to check out 10 hotels in one day plus get to know all about all the side trips that a client could choose.

Show me the money:   Pay rates vary. Some agencies offer commission only, whilst others provide a base salary and pay commission at a lower rate. Expect to earn around USD 18 – 20 per hour. 

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The Job: How about working as a tour guide? There are all different kinds of guides. A guide for a day trip, a museum guide, a guide to monuments, art galleries, and all things historical. If you like to communicate a passion that you have, it’s one of the best jobs for retirees. 

I once met a lady who did tours of nature reserves in the Austin area – she was a biologist by training and loved being a tour guide.

An alternative type of tour guide is one who accompanies a group of people on a tour lasting 10 to 14 days. It’s long hours, but you do get to see all the sights and with tips, the pay can be quite good. For example, you might be involved in a tour that takes a group of travelers around Italy. For obvious reasons, it really helps if you speak a foreign language.

Jooble is a great place to look for tour guide jobs.

The Jobs: A great way to see different parts of your country (or the world) is to take on seasonal work. There are many opportunities in hospitality, such as working in hotels, bars, and restaurants around the world where older people are welcomed. Another popular option is to work in a ski resort for one season and then leg it down south for some sun. 

Alternatively, some companies need their workers to move on a seasonal basis. For example, some pharmacies like people in New Jersey in summer and Florida in the winter.

The Skills:   There are so many seasonal jobs on offer, and the skills you need depend on the job you choose. You may need to know how to be a receptionist, a maintenance engineer, a driver, a cleaner, a cook, a bartender, or even a fruit picker (although that might be a bit too physically demanding for some). Fortunately, many of these skills can be picked up fairly quickly through different courses. And once you master one of these in-demand skills, you can offer them all around the world.

To find the best fit for you, you may need to think outside the box. What about working a seasonal retail job selling souvenirs in a seaside resort. Or how about learning some farming skills by working on an organic farm for the summer season?  WWOOF is a great place to find this type of volunteer work (with food and accommodation provided).

I knew a couple who taught diving in the summer in the Caribbean and skiing in the winter either in Europe or Canada. What an adventurous retirement!

Short Term:   Seasonal work is by its nature transient. You work for a season and move on. The range of jobs and therefore skills required is enormous and you need to spend some time investigating what’s on offer. Try Coolworks for more adventurous senior travel jobs or Retired Brains for seasonal jobs classified as ‘encore careers’. 

Hard work? Yes, but think of all the different places you’ll see and the new people you’ll meet!

Show me the money: Most seasonal jobs are not highly paid, although depending on the job, you may have the chance of good tips.  Some jobs provide accommodation, although it’s usually pretty basic. Others are couple-friendly, making seasonal work one of the best travel jobs for couples . The cool thing is you’ll get the chance to live and work in all sorts of different places.

My friend, Margo, is a brilliant example of a senior nomad who lives and breathes van life and has done for 26 years.   Take a look at Margo’s website or find out more from her RV Lifestyle Expert podcast if you think this could be the right kind of travel lifestyle for you.  She has loads of practical advice on how to set about your new van life.

The Jobs: Margo is a true digital nomad and earns money from her website and her e-books, but there are lots of other jobs that you can do from an RV. If you love to camp and the outdoors, Margo says that you can work on a campground at a national park that you always wanted to visit while you live in your RV. To find out more, try Margo’s e-book ‘ Working on the Road for Professionals and Just Fun-Loving Folks . Margo recommends Workcamper.com as a good place to start to find jobs as an RV-er.

Parks aren’t only about campsites, though. There are jobs going in retail shops, amusement parks, water parks, lodges, farms, and state and county parks as well as in the national parks. You are usually required to live on-site.

The Skills:   Like a lot of seasonal jobs, the skills you need will be many and varied, according to the many and varied jobs. But start with a cheerful can-do attitude, a problem-solving mindset, and a love of meeting people. Then add a technical skill, and you’ll be a happy camper!

Short Term: These types of RV and van life jobs are seasonal and so are by definition fairly short term. But if you build up good relationships, you’ll be able to return for another season or you’ll get recommendations to work in other places.

Show me the money:   Seasonal jobs tend to be low paid. For RVers working in national parks, expect around USD 8 per hour plus a free RV site and utilities (which boost the effective rate).  

The Jobs: House sitting is a fun job for retirees. It means taking care of somebody’s house with everything that comes with it. That means watering the plants, collecting the mail, and oftentimes, looking after a furry friend. 

To become a house sitter, you need to sign up at house-sitting websites. There are several good house-sitting websites out there such as Trusted Housesitters , Mind My House , or  Housecarers . 

A variant of house sitting is to become a property caretaker. These are a great job even if you’re a senior over 60. They include things like the upkeep of the grounds, buildings, and facilities such as swimming pools. The website CaretakerGazette.com provides lots of information for would-be property caretakers.

The Skills: Your main skill is to be free of crime and to be able to demonstrate your reliability (hopefully that’s not too hard!). This builds up as you get more gigs and more references from happy owners. If it involves pet sitting, then owners want to know if, for example, you know how to look after a horse or goats as well as more usual pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, or fish. Otherwise, you just need to be sensible and responsible.

Usually landing your first gig is the hardest, but you can better your odds by following the advice in this housesitter jobs guide.

Property caretaker skills include gardening, general DIY skills for maintenance and cleaning plus potentially the ability to look after animals.

Short term – Long Term: House sits vary in length from a few days to several months, depending on what the house owners are wanting to do. If you go for a property caretaker job, it’s more likely to be a longer-term job.

Show me the money: You pay a fee of between $20 – $130 annually to list yourself on a housesitting platform, enabling you to browse destinations and jobs. Some of them are hotly contested. You normally pay for your own travel and generally don’t receive compensation, but you have free accommodation (sometimes in very nice houses) and get to live like a local wherever you get a gig.

Usually, you don’t have to pay for utilities although you do pay for your own food. You also may get the use of a car. 

Property caretakers get free accommodation and a salary that can range from minimum wage to generous.

Going Remote to Do the Same Job Abroad

Covid has transformed how people work. It used to be only the privileged few who could work remotely but now everyone is doing it.  These are some of the best-paying jobs that allow you to travel the world.

From hospitality jobs to medical jobs, many types of personal service jobs travel well. Here are some regular jobs that you can transform into your very own overseas jobs.

The Jobs: When you’re good with numbers and tax rules then bookkeeping or a finance job can be great for you in retirement. You can become a freelance bookkeeper who works online and do the books for different small companies. The IRS in the USA has seasonal jobs from January through May.

Remote work is becoming the norm for bookkeepers. But if you need to be personally present, you can move to where the jobs are and see that part of the world.

The Skills: Obviously it’s best if you have a bookkeeping or tax qualification. You need to be organized and reliable, paying attention to details while sticking to deadlines. Computer literacy and competence in data entry are a must, along with knowledge of a variety of bookkeeping software. This free course teaches how to start your own virtual bookkeeping business.

Medium term – Long term: You can choose to work on a seasonal basis in-person or long-term remotely. You’ll find jobs on websites such as  Accounting Department for the US, ClicknWork , or Belay Solutions

Show me the money:   A typical salary will be USD 20 – 60 per hour. A great earner for qualified seniors or retirees—especially if you want to boost your travel fund, but don’t want to work all year round.

It’s taken you years to create your own career and you’ve gained a lot of wisdom and experience along the way. How about turning your skills into a coaching or counseling career? Rebecca from Retrieving Me has a career in HR and is training to be a counselor. Marc from Career Pivot trained to become a retirement coach and advises over-50s on how to pivot their careers—all from a stunning lake in Mexico!. 

The Jobs: These days, working remotely gives you the ability to make a “normal” job into a traveling job. It’s best to specialize. Your niche could be anything from business to weight loss, from self-development to careers with work-life balance. Spirituality, developing your life purpose, and Christian life coaches are becoming more in demand these days too.

The Skills: Above all, you need the ability to listen. Empathy and compassion are great skills for a coach. But a key skill is being able to decipher what your client says and help them identify their stumbling blocks. Then you need problem-solving skills to be able to suggest solutions. On top of that, you need to be able to publicize and market yourself and your business through social media and by speaking at and attending events to attract clients. It’s good to have a website to advertise your business too.  

Although you don’t need a qualification as such, it really helps to have a coaching certification. You could try some of the free courses run by MOOCs to test out whether coaching is for you and then move on to gain a recognized certificate from the International Coaching Federation or the European Mentoring and Coaching Council .

Show me the money:   Coaches can charge fees anywhere from USD 75 per hour to more than USD 500 per hour for top business executive coaching. Running leadership courses in companies can be even more highly paid. This is a growing field and some of the best-paying jobs for seniors and retirees.

The Jobs: If you’re a qualified hairdresser, beautician, or massage therapist, you’ll find lots of travel opportunities. In big cities, it can be very attractive to have foreign hairdressers and beauty therapists, as long as you’re skilled. You’re in demand for cruises, in spas, lodges, and luxury hotels all over the world. 

The Skills:   You need to have some kind of certificate of qualification and recommendations from past employers. In addition, you’ll need to be creative and artistic with an openness to learning new ideas and techniques. You’ll be friendly with great communication skills paying great attention to cleanliness. Your own appearance will be stylish, with an emphasis on your personal grooming.

Short Term – Long Term: You can end up staying working for a cruise line for a long time. Or you can move on a seasonal basis to tourist resorts to work in hotels or local salons. 

Show me the Money: On a cruise ship, beauticians can earn from USD 2000 – 3000 per month (or more). Your pay will depend on the type of cruise, the size of the ship, and the value of any tips you receive. Plus, your accommodation and travel are included!

The Jobs : In the hospitality sector, many upmarket facilities require a doctor or nurse on hand (or at least on-call). Cruise ships are required to have medics on board. Pro Sea Staff  is the place to look for medical jobs on cruises. There are often locum jobs that take you to exotic locations for short periods. 

A doctor friend of mine does locums in the Caribbean which involve island hopping. And his wife and dog get to go with him!

Global Medical Staffing medical is another site that specializes in global locums.  

The Skills: You’ll need a medical qualification of some sort, such as a doctor, nurse, dentist, physiotherapist, or other medical specialty.  

Short term – Medium Term: Locums tend to cover for doctors wanting to take their own holidays. That said, this may end up being longer-term to cover things like maternity leave. Cruise ship jobs are for up to six months with a couple of months off afterward.

Show me the Money:   Doctors on cruises can earn USD 6,000 to 8,000 per month. Locums will be paid commensurately to the period worked.  Normally, travel costs are covered, as well as accommodation. Other healthcare staff on cruises or as locums earn quite well according to their qualifications.

If wondering what to do in retirement , this is it.

The biggest category of regrets of older people is not having gone traveling, not having done enough with their lives. Don’t let it be you.  You are never too old.  Well, at least until you tell yourself that you are. So why not tell yourself a different story and work out how you can get traveling, despite your age and circumstances.  

Imagine that you worked out how to get a job that lets you afford to travel. It doesn’t have to be on the other side of the world. It might be a job you’ve never done before – imagine what fun that would be. You’d be living a different sort of life, meeting different kinds of people.

Perhaps you’ll get to the other side of the world, but even in your own country, there are so many things you have never seen, so many interesting people you’ve never met. You’ll gain a new perspective on your own life, and it will open your eyes to the perspectives of others. 

All you need to do is to find the means to make your move. Long-term or short-term, it could be your experience of a lifetime. You’ll have great stories and few regrets. Because you got up and did it.

So, go find your job. Go traveling, and enjoy the time of your life, whatever your age. You’ll never regret it.

Rosemary Bointon is a certified content writer and SEO strategist.  You can find her on Writer.me . She also runs the Long Life, Fun Life blog, where she helps older people work out what to do to live longer, in better health, with more fun and adventures.  You can find her on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn .

Mitch's Travel Recommendations: Travel Planning Resources - Everything you need to plan your trip on one convenient page. Going Cheap Flights Newsletter - Get flight deals from your airport up to 90% off sent straight to your inbox. Safetywing Insurance - This cheap travel insurance has saved me over $15,000 in medical bills. Booking.com - Book accommodation without adding your credit card (in case you need to cancel). Trusted House Sitters - Take care of pets in exchange for free (sometimes luxury) accommodation. Flexjobs - Find remote jobs without having to sift through crappy ones. Skillshare - Free trial to take unlimited classes that teach digital nomad skills. Wise - Send and receive money abroad cheaply (great for freelancers).

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5 Great Jobs for the 50+ Travel Lover

Are your boot heels meant to be wanderin'? Bob Dylan sang something like that in "Mr. Tambourine Man." And if you share the feeling, a job in the travel industry might be your ticket.

Some 70,000 additional travel-related jobs — in places such as hotels, travel agencies, airports and museums — were created in the U.S. in 2016, according to Skift, a travel industry research firm. Federal projections show the leisure and hospitality sector continuing to expand modestly in the years ahead.

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Here are five great travel opportunities to consider.

1. Travel agent

The nitty-gritty: If you think that travel agents are passé, you're mistaken. Even with the proliferation of online booking sites, growing numbers of travelers want the human touch. The result is an uptick in agents setting up their own home-based businesses , says Erika Richter, spokeswoman for the American Society of Travel Agents .

You'll spend a fair amount of time on the phone and doing online research, so this job requires patience, an unflappable demeanor and attention to detail. It helps to have your own lust for travel, which allows you to add the secret ingredients of insider knowledge and enthusiasm.

A possible perk: Gratis trips of your own to evaluate hotels, resorts and restaurants for potential clients.

Pay range: Annual salaries range from $25,484 to $55,364, according to PayScale , a compensation information company. Hourly wages range from $10.70 to $22.34.

Qualifications: In general, no agent license is required. That said, community colleges often offer technical training and continuing education classes for agents. Coursework covers the ins and outs of computer reservations systems, marketing and regulations for international travel. A few colleges offer full degrees in travel and tourism.

The Travel Institute offers training and professional certifications. The International Air Transport Association has a program for "travel and tourism professional," as well as "consultant." Meanwhile, the Cruise Lines International Association offers its own certifications.

2. Event planner

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The nitty-gritty: Must love putting on a party. You'll need the creative and organizational chops to coordinate logistics smoothly and professionally with a keen eye to all the devilish details. Event planners are the architects behind annual association gatherings, big birthday bashes, weddings and fundraising events, such as 10K charity races and silent auction black-tie dinners.

Employment for meeting, convention and event planners is projected to grow 10 percent between 2014 and 2024, which is faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Online job boards let you shop for real-world openings. FlexJobs and CareerBuilder , for instance, currently list hundreds of openings in this category.

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Pay range: From $11.31 to $36.50 per hour, according to PayScale . Annual pay salary ranges from $28,993 to $73,488.

Qualifications: There's no must-have degree or certification for this position. Some universities and community colleges, however, offer degree and certificate programs in event management. George Washington University in Washington, D.C., for example, offers an event management certificate . You might also consider the certified meeting professional credential .

If weddings are your thing, check out the websites of the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners and the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants .

3. Campground worker

The nitty-gritty: If you're spending time on the road with your RV, this is a great way to earn money along the way. At campgrounds, parks, marinas and resorts, you may be able to take on flexible work in exchange for a free or discounted campsite, vehicle hookup and perhaps a paycheck. Jobs run the gamut from guest check-in and rental management to handyman fix-its and retail sales.

Pay range: There are a variety of arrangements in this semi-barter prospect. Pay is typically $7 to $12 an hour, but compensation is usually a combo of such things as campsite access, wages, store discounts and laundry allowance.

One option is an unusual program from the giant retailer Amazon that recruits workers to help handle seasonal peaks in fulfillment center demand from nearby camp grounds. Amazon CamperForce pays up to $11.50 an hour, with time and a half for overtime. Benefits include paid campsite fees and a completion bonus. Be aware that working in an Amazon fulfillment facility can be noisy, difficult work. Expect a lot of lifting and time on your feet.

Qualifications: Past experience in this type of work helps. Expect on-the-job training if necessary. Go to the Workamper site to track down jobs on its bulletin board. Many campgrounds post jobs on their own sites; have a look, too, at CoolWorks .

4. Tour guide

The nitty-gritty: If you're a history buff, or a born educator, this might fit you to a T. You need to be at ease talking to groups of tourists and have your facts and anecdotes at the ready. You might lead visitors through points of historical interest in your hometown or give personal tours of, say, a local winery or pretzel factory.

Pay range: Typically $9.04 to $20.52 per hour, according to PayScale .

Qualifications: The most in-demand skill is a knack for captivating an audience. Employers might require you to pass a written exam of knowledge of specific locations and city history. Some community colleges offer short-term courses in tour- and travel-related occupations. The certified tour professional certification is offered through the National Tour Association .

Think, too, about the not-for-profit Road Scholar program , which offers 5,500 "learning adventures" in 150 countries and all 50 states. If you become an "ambassador" for the program, you promote it through speaking engagements. Your compensation is credits toward participation in those adventures.

5. Peace Corps

The nitty-gritty: This is not your usual travel industry job, but consider the experience of San Francisco resident Barbara Jue, 68, who served in the former Soviet republic of Moldova for two years. As a small-enterprise development adviser, she lent her know-how to a nongovernmental agency that focused on developing small businesses in the country.

"Peace Corps was an aspiration since I was a teenager in the '60s when I was drawn to JFK's vision," Jue says. After she retired as director of global compensation at the Clorox Company, the time seemed right. "If you can help make a difference, you have a more fulfilling life, right?"

She cautions that the Peace Corps is not for everyone: "Because Moldova is a developing country, health, sanitation and language, for me, were challenging, but you learn to be adaptable and flexible," Jue says.

The bottom line is that the Peace Corps wants to enlist older volunteers like Jue. At present, nearly 500 volunteers older than 50 are serving in countries around the world. A few are in their 80s.

The current push for older volunteers dates to 2011, when the Peace Corps began working with AARP to connect with older volunteers for its Peace Corps Response program , which sends experienced professionals abroad. The program may have special appeal to older people because it requires a shorter time commitment: three months to a year instead of the traditional 27 months. Married couples may serve together, but each person must apply and qualify as a volunteer separately.

Pay range: There is no salary per se, but all volunteers receive comprehensive medical and dental benefits during service. Financial benefits include paid travel to and from the country of service, housing and living expenses, vacation days and a readjustment allowance upon completion of service that can amount to thousands of dollars.

Qualifications: For Peace Corps Response, you must be a U.S. citizen and one of the following: an experienced professional, a returned volunteer, or a licensed physician or nurse.

Kerry Hannon is a career transition expert and an award-winning author. Her latest book is Getting the Job You Want After 50 for Dummies . She has also written Love Your Job: The New Rules for Career Happiness and Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy … and Pays the Bills . Find more from her at Kerryhannon.com .

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Best Remote Jobs for Retirees Who Like to Travel: 9 Opportunities

🌍✈️ Travel lovers, this one’s for you! ✈️🌍

Retirement is the perfect time to fire up the RV or backpack in Europe and visit all the places you’ve always wanted to visit…but of course, there’s that pesky question of how you’re going to pay for it all. 

If you're retired and have a passion for travel, remote jobs could be the perfect way to combine work and your love for exploring new places.

Basic digital skills can open a world of opportunities for tech-savvy retirees to work from anywhere. You can take on gigs like virtual travel agent roles, online travel consultant positions, or self-publishing on Amazon. 

Keep reading for a roundup of different opportunities and our best travel tips for seniors!

See why more and more retirees are turning to self-publishing to get paid to ENJOY their golden years. Come see how it all works at our totally free publishing training !

Advantages of Retirement Travel Jobs 

There are tons of advantages of retirement travel jobs.

Working remotely as a retiree gives you the freedom to better manage your time, save money, and stay active doing what you love! 

Flexibility and Freedom

Remote work for seniors lets you set your schedule, which means you can plan your work around your travel, not the other way around. If you want to explore a new city in the morning, you can do your work later in the day, or vice versa. 

Having control over your time also lets you balance work and leisure. You can decide to take a few days off without having to ask for permission. These flexible work hours mean you can enjoy your travels more fully and actually immerse yourself in the culture and new experiences.

When you have more control over your work-life balance and when you can work at your own pace and from any location, it's been scientifically proven that stress levels go way down (no surprise there).

Our co-founders, The Mikkelsen Twins , took some time off in Asia once upon a time, and it's still one of the best things they've ever done for their mental and physical health.

Saving on Commuting Costs

By working remotely, you also eliminate the daily commute. Let’s be real, gas, public transportation fees, and car maintenance costs can add up pretty quickly.

Instead of spending an hour or more commuting, you can put that time towards something more enjoyable, like sightseeing or spending time with loved ones.

And without the need to commute, you can choose to live or travel to more affordable places. This added financial freedom can make your retirement savings last way longer and allow you to travel even more.

Hayley , one of our amazing coaches, recently made the big move from Ireland to Greece. Listening to her rave about spending time with her family, catching up with friends, and enjoying the incredible quality of life there is truly inspiring!

Opportunities for Continuous Learning

Remote work often offers opportunities to learn new skills through team training, online courses, or virtual conferences, which can help you keep expanding your horizons along with all the new experiences and new people you meet on your travels. 

Resources for Self-Paced Learning

• Masterclass 

Popular Remote Jobs for Retirees

Whether you're inclined towards creative tasks or more structured roles, there's something for everyone. 

Here are some popular options:

Self-Publishing

A common misconception about self-publishing is that you have to enjoy writing and have a story or guide to share. That might have been true under the traditional model decades ago, but these days, you get to control exactly how involved you want to be in the process. 

A lot of people prefer to take on more of a project management role and hand over the writing duties to either a ghostwriter, contractor, or self-publishing agency—and that’s perfectly fine! 

Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing are legit and make it easy to publish your own books online.

• Creative control over your work.
• Earn royalties from each sale.
• Opportunities to write about travel, hobbies, personal experiences, or hot topics that already have proven demand.
• Potential for recurring income.

It will all make more sense after watching our free webinar !

Consulting lets you use your expertise in a specific field to offer advice to businesses or individuals from anywhere in the world.

• Flexible hours and rates.
• High demand for knowledgeable consultants.
• Opportunities in fields like finance, marketing, and human resources.

Article Writer

As an article writer, you’ll create content for websites, magazines, or blogs on various topics.

• Control over workload with pay per article or project.
• Diverse topics to explore (e.g., travel, health, personal finance).
• Work from anywhere with an internet connection.

Digital Marketing

This role is ideal if you're tech-savvy and have marketing experience.

You’ll mostly help promote and grow brands through online channels like search engines and social media. 

• Freelance or company positions available.
• Tasks include managing social media, creating content, and running ad campaigns.
• Growing field with numerous remote opportunities.

Tech Support

These jobs mainly focus on assisting customers with technical issues or other complaints by phone, email, or chat.

• Steady work is often available part-time.
• Requires patience and clear communication skills.
• Many companies offer remote tech support roles.

Transcriptionist

As a transcriptionist, you’ll listen to audio recordings and type them out. 

• Flexible hours, work at your own pace.
• Fields include legal, medical, and media.
• Quiet, focused work environment.

Project Manager

As a project manager, you’ll oversee projects from start to finish, coordinating tasks and managing timelines.

• Strong organizational skills are needed.
• Tools like Trello or Asana help manage tasks.
• Remote positions are available in various industries.

National Parks

Remote jobs with national parks can range from administrative work to online educational programs.

• Contribute to conservation and education efforts.
• Tasks might include creating virtual tours or managing social media.
• Requires specific knowledge about the environment and wildlife.

Customer Service Representative

As a customer service rep, you’ll handle customer inquiries and issues via calls, emails, or chat. 

• A stable job with consistent hours.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills are required.
• Training provided for specific company procedures and products.

Remote Job Search Resources

• Remote.co : A hub for jobs across various industries.
• We Work Remotely : Great for tech and creative jobs.
• FlexJobs : Offers a wide range of remote jobs using a subscription model.

Networking Tips

• LinkedIn Groups : Find and join groups related to your field.
• Virtual Meetups : Sites like Meetup.com host online networking events.
• Webinars : Attend industry webinars and connect with other attendees virtually.

Resume and Cover Letter Tips

• Highlight Remote Skills : Emphasize your ability to work independently and handle tech tools (even if you're not an expert).
• Customize Applications : Tailor each resume and cover letter to the job description.
• Professional Formatting : Keep your documents clean and easy to read using software like Microsoft Word or Canva.

Making the Most of Local Experiences

• Local Festivals : Check out local events and festivals.
• Museums and Historical Sites : Explore the history of your new location.
• Community Events : Participate in local activities and meet new people.
• Street Food : Taste the authentic dishes of each new location.
• Local Restaurants : Dine where the locals eat.
• Cooking Classes : Learn to cook traditional dishes.
• Language Classes : Enroll in local language schools.
• Language Exchange Meetups : Practice with locals and other learners.
• Language Apps : Use Duolingo or Babbel to keep practicing your language skills.

Tools and Resources for Retired Digital Nomads

• TripIt : Organize your travel plans in one place.
• Rome2Rio : Find the best routes and transportation options.
• Evernote : Keep all your notes and ideas in one place.
• Slack : Communicate with teams or clients on the go.
• Google Workspace : Collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Yelp : Find and review local businesses.
• Google Maps : Locate services and get directions.
• Zocdoc : Find local doctors and healthcare providers.

Travel Tips for Seniors

Planning to hit the road soon? These tips can help your trips be smooth, safe, and memorable.

Choosing the Right Destinations

• Scenic National Parks : Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon offer stunning views and easy access.
• Relaxing Beach Towns : Myrtle Beach or Key West for some sun and sand.
• Historic Cities : Wander through Charleston, Boston, or Edinburgh and soak up the history.
• Accessibility : Make sure the attractions are easy to get to with ramps and smooth paths.
• Healthcare : Check if there are good medical facilities nearby, just in case.

Manage Medications

• Original Containers : Keep meds in their original bottles to avoid any confusion.
• Pill Organizer : Keep track of your daily doses.
• Carry-On Bag : Always have your meds with you in your carry-on if you're flying in case your checked luggage gets lost.
• Pro Tip : Write down your meds and dosages and keep the list handy.

Make Copies of Important Documents

• Separate Locations : Store copies of files away from the originals.
• Digital Backups : Save digital versions on a secure cloud.
• Share : Leave a set with a trusted friend or family member.

Staying Active and Healthy

• Stay Hydrated : Drink lots of water, especially on flights and long road trips.
• Stretch It Out : Do some light stretches during long journeys.
• Healthy Snacks : Pack some nuts, fruits, and granola bars.
• Reminder Apps : Use your phone to remind you to take your meds.

Consider Travel Insurance

• Medical Coverage : Make sure you'll be covered in emergencies.
• Trip Cancellations : Protect your bookings.
• Lost Luggage : Get reimbursed for lost bags.
• Senior-Friendly Plans : Find policies with extra coverage for seniors.

Travel Off-Season

• Less Crowded : Enjoy more space and peace.
• Cheaper : Score deals on flights and hotels.
• Better Weather : Avoid extreme temperatures.
• When to Go : Look up the specific off-peak times for your chosen destination.

Stay Connected to the Internet

• Phone Plan : Check if your phone plan covers international roaming.
• Local SIM : Buy a local SIM card for better rates.
• Chat Apps : Use WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime to stay in touch.
• Portable Wi-Fi : Bring a portable Wi-Fi device for a reliable connection.

Stay Connected to the Community

• Joining Local Groups : Use apps like Meetup to find groups with similar interests.
• Volunteering : Engage with local communities through volunteer opportunities.
• Online Communities : Stay connected with friends, family, and fellow travelers via social media and online forums.

Essential Tech for Remote Work

• Reliable Laptop : Lightweight, durable, and with good battery life.
• Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot : Stay connected anywhere.
• Noise-Canceling Headphones : Block out distractions and focus on work.
• Work Management Apps : Tools like Asana, Trello, or Slack to stay organized.

Reasons for Traveling

Reconnecting with family.

Travel is the perfect excuse to gather the whole clan! Whether it's a multi-generational trip or a visit to see distant relatives, traveling brings everyone closer. Imagine creating lasting memories at a cozy mountain cabin or exploring new cities with your grandchildren. The stories you'll share and the bonds you'll strengthen are priceless.

Family Tips

• ‍ Multi-Generational Vacations : Rent a big house by the beach or a cabin in the mountains. ‍
• Visiting Relatives : Take the time to reconnect with family you haven't seen in a while. ‍
• Group Tours : Join a guided tour that caters to all ages.

Exploration and Adventure

Got a bucket list? Now's the time to start ticking it off! Whether it's exploring the ancient ruins of Rome, hiking through national parks, or sailing the Caribbean, you can make every trip an unforgettable experience.

Adventure Ideas

• Cultural Tours : Explore historical sites and participate in local traditions.
• Nature Escapes : Go on a safari, hike scenic trails, or visit breathtaking national parks.
• Cruises : Set sail on a cruise to multiple destinations without the hassle of constant packing and unpacking.

Relaxation and Wellness

Sometimes, you just need to unwind and focus on yourself. Picture yourself at a serene spa retreat, lounging on a sunny beach, or enjoying the tranquility of a countryside escape. Prioritizing your wellness while exploring new destinations can refresh your body and your mind.

Relaxation Ideas

• Spa Retreats : Indulge in massages, facials, and wellness treatments.
• Beach Vacations : Soak up the sun, read a good book, and let the waves wash your worries away.
• Countryside Getaways : Stay in a quaint bed-and-breakfast and enjoy the peace and quiet of rural life.

What Percentage of Older People Travel?

An AARP survey shows that nearly 65% of Americans over 50 are excited to travel in 2024.

Most will be exploring the U.S. (63%) , while 37% plan to jet off on international adventures.

This year, older adults are also ready to splurge, spending about $6,659 on vacations.

Plus, half of them are planning to spend even more on their trips in 2024 than they did in 2023!

How Much Do I Need in Retirement to Travel?

Want to know how much you need to travel in retirement? Let’s break it down!

Estimate Your Travel Budget

Here’s a simple example:

• Flights : $2,000
• Accommodation : $3,000
• Meals and Entertainment : $1,500
• Miscellaneous : $500
• Total : $7,000 per year

Plan Your Retirement Budget

Next, think about your overall retirement budget.

A common rule is the 50/30/20 rule:

• Needs (50%) : Basic living expenses
• Wants (30%) : Travel and leisure
• Savings (20%) : Guard against unexpected costs

According to Investopedia , retirees typically allocate 5% to 10% of their retirement budget to travel.

Your exact number might vary, but this gives you a good starting point.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Travel in Retirement?

Traveling on a budget doesn't mean sacrificing fun or comfort. 

With these tips, you can enjoy amazing adventures without breaking the bank:

Consider House Sitting

• Why? : Free accommodation.
• How? : Use websites like TrustedHousesitters to find homeowners looking for reliable sitters.

Volunteer Vacations

• Why? : Free room and board in exchange for your time.
• How? : Look for organizations that offer volunteer opportunities where you can help out and get free lodging.

Leverage Loyalty Programs and Travel Rewards

• Why? : Score discounts or even free flights.
• How? : Sign up for loyalty programs and use travel rewards credit cards to accumulate points.

Book Last-Minute Deals

• Why? : Save up to 50% on flights and hotels.
• How? : Keep an eye on travel deal websites and apps for last-minute offers.

Try Camping or RV Travel

• Why? : It's budget-friendly and adventurous.
• How? : Explore national parks and campgrounds, which are often cheaper than hotels.

Eat Like a Local

• Why? : Street food and local markets are cheap and delicious.
• How? : Skip the touristy restaurants and dine where the locals do.

Look for Free Activities

• Why? : Free fun is the best kind!
• How? : Many cities offer free walking tours, museums, and parks.

Inspiring Stories from Traveling 

Sailing isn’t exactly a cheap hobby...Just ask Jeff!

Listen to him talk about overcoming business challenges and the freedom that self-publishing has made possible in his life: 

James went from working a boring banking job for almost a decade to publishing and traveling full-time in just two years: 

Marco is an Italian publisher who was also able to leave his full-time job and start living life completely on his own terms thanks to self-publishing: 

Self-Publishing Makes Travel Dreams Come True 

Imagine earning royalties while lounging on a beach or exploring a new city. It’s easier than you think, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Why Self-Publishing?

• Earn While You Travel : Generate income from book sales.
• Share Your Adventures : Write and publish your travel stories.
• Flexible Schedule : Work from anywhere at any time.

Discover how self-publishing can fit into your travel lifestyle with our free webinar !

FREE WEBINAR

Workamping: Senior Travelers Taking Tougher Jobs

Senior travelers are taking tougher jobs..

We’ve all heard the news stories about Amazon’s warehouse working conditions. They’re back breaking, exhausting, unforgiving. Still, every holiday season, retired-aged RVers and vandwellers hit the road and end up at crowded Amazon camps.

A la the 2018 bestseller, Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century , by Jessica Bruder , many seniors traveling in RVs for leisure or forced into the nomadic lifestyle due to financial stress are taking jobs at Amazon warehouses, as campground hosts, as amusement park attendants. They live and work in trailer parks and parking lots of department stores with chronically poor conditions. 

These are workamping jobs. 

The jobs provide RV spaces for employees where the (mostly) seniors either dry camp or hook up their RVs for water and electricity. The workers live in the RVs and other vehicles (even, sometimes, cars) in lots or at the entrances of campgrounds while they are employed. 

Many of the workers I met in the Amazon camps were part of a demographic that in recent years has grown with alarming speed: downwardly mobile older Americans. -Jessica Bruder, Nomadland

All this while the younger generations- millennials like myself- and even fresher travelers, are taking much more fun and forgiving jobs. I like to call these seasonal adventure jobs. 

We (I’ve being doing these jobs for 10 years) are working in gorgeous places that often honor nature and community- places like wilderness lodges, educational camps, retreat centers, eco resorts and national parks- not parking lots. We are given staff housing, with rent below market value deducted from our paychecks. Often we’re even fed three hot, fresh-cooked meals per day. Most of the time, it’s wonderful. 

What are seasonal adventure jobs?

If it’s in a beautiful place that caters to tourism, it’s a top candidate for a seasonal job. Employees are paid to live and work in the place where other people vacation. Most jobs last 3-9 months, with some year-round positions.

The most common seasonal adventure jobs available are in resort operations. There are always openings at every experience level in:

• Food & beverage
• Customer service
• Hotel operations & housekeeping
• Kid’s camps
• Activities (ranging from teaching classes to leading hiking trips and more)
• Maintenance
• (And lots more!)

Seasonal adventure travel is a way of living that restores the natural balance of life. It’s about being with a group of people living and working together in a community that is close to the raw power of an unspoiled land. It’s easy to reconnect with nature and human kindness.

My coworker communities have shared meals and stories around the campfire and fireplaces. We’ve lived, hiked, and explored together. We’ve painted and danced and swam together. We’ve cried together and stayed in laughing and watching movies over cocoa and hot cider on cold nights. These coworkers are my family.

Traveling as a seasonal adventure worker has allowed me to move multiple times per year for nearly a full decade. I’ve earned enough money at these jobs to completely sustain my permanent travel lifestyle. After food and housing is deducted from my paychecks, I put away the rest into savings. From this, it’s been easy to cover transportation expenses between jobs. Most of the time I haven’t had a car (though I did dabble in #vanlife) and have been able to rely on coworkers for trips to town and to trailheads for hiking.

What should you do between jobs?

Between work gigs, there may be a few weeks where a worker is unemployed. In these cases, I and many travelers I know simply stay with friends or family. But many others have saved enough to take a budget vacation, or do some free work-exchanges. 

Workaway.info is the best site to find truly interesting work-exchanges around the world on a very flexible schedule. Hosts (extensively rated) provide food and housing for free in exchange for about 5 hours of work each day, with a few days off.

Life is varied as a seasonal adventure worker

At my seasonal adventure jobs, every week, sometimes every day, holds something new and magical. In the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness up in Minnesota, I woke each morning to a warm light on the lake, sky slowly pinkening, a view enchanted by Jack Frost’s artwork on the window of the private cabin my boyfriend and I were assigned by the company. If it was a day off, we’d probably toast and butter some sourdough and take out a canoe (provided by the company for free) for a quiet paddle around the bend. 

If we worked, it might be our job that day to set up a guest picnic on the sandy strip of beach down by the lodge, or maybe we’d clean rooms. A few times each week I’d even teach art classes that I’d prepared, leading visitors to choose a wild plant to sketch & paint for a scientific drawing. 

Earlier in my travel career I’d worked in Grand Teton National Park and been gifted with the most incredible commute: a 7-minute walk in full view of Jackson Lake and the majestic Teton mountain range in a layer of white that would take all summer to melt away. Sometimes, if I rose early enough, the lake would be a mirror and I would look upside-down under my legs and see exactly the same crystal-clear view of the mountains in the other direction. 

Here I looked forward to my lunch break after teaching guests to drive boats on the marina. I’d sit with coworkers and roommates from different departments and eat a fresh salad as my panini toasted and the cheese melted just so. And always, a second cup of fresh-ground coffee.

Retreat centers offer a whole different type of work experience. In these gathering hubs of kind, open, spiritual individuals, it’s easy to feel at home. You can soak up the quiet surrounding nature, sitting by a sweat lodge on a stream or overlooking the raw power of the ocean beating a cliff by starlight.

How can you find and land a seasonal adventure job? 

It’s simplest to search a travel job board like wanderjobs.com.

The easiest jobs to get as a beginner are:

• Housekeeper
• Camp counselor
• Ski lift operator (aka lifties)

You won’t find every job on a job board site. There are many more companies that don’t post on job boards than that do.

If you are searching for a job on Google, here are some keyword tips. 

1. Choose a specific location.

Including a location in your search will increase your chances of getting good results. “Arizona retreat center jobs staff housing” is much better than “retreat center jobs staff housing.”

2. Choose the type of job.

“Minnesota wilderness lodge jobs staff housing” is much better than “Minnesota jobs staff housing”

3. Try variations of the term “staff housing”

You probably won’t get a huge amount of results for any particular search- but you only need one good one! If you’re not finding one, swap the term “staff housing” for “employee housing” and “room and board”.

Always, always take the time to craft a great cover letter and resume. I think that is where a lot of people block themselves from being hired: if your cover letter isn’t any good, you’ve disqualified yourself before you’ve even had a chance. Here’s a quick guide to writing a cover letter for seasonal jobs. (https://wanderjobs.com/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-for-a-seasonal-adventure-job/)

So where are the seniors?

At all of these jobs I took, there were older people. But only a few. This strange age disparity always perplexed me. The companies could really benefit from having more older people around as role models of good character. But where were the retired aged travelers?

At workamping jobs, it turns out. At Amazon warehouses and JC penny parking lots. Living in RV parks and hustling to do unpaid overtime as campground hosts. Becoming carnies and ride operators at shady B-list amusement parks. If it was much more physically or mentally trying, for some reason, a much older person would be doing it.

So what, I wondered, is the disconnect between generations? Why are senior-aged travelers guided to tough, often unpleasant jobs as workampers, but the younger generations, also sometimes living out of vehicles, is experiencing a completely different world of adventure?

I’m the creator of the seasonal adventure job site WanderJobs.com. Here, all jobs are in beautiful places that are worth going to. All jobs come with staff housing. 

Thousands of traveling seniors gather at the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous.

I was invited by Bob Wells to speak at the 10th anniversary of the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR) in 2020, the largest gathering of RVers, vandwellers, and nomadic vehicle travelers on the planet. The expected attendance this year was 10,000 nomads. Would these different types of jobs resonate with them, or was there some reason they were clinging to the workamper jobs that I couldn’t wrap my head around?

When I spoke at RTR, many of the older generation seemed genuinely interested in the prospect of jobs that were, in my opinion, much more humane. To reconnect to people and nature. I answered dozens of questions and spoke individually to many people who told me they were glad to have the information. 

“Can seniors do these jobs?” One man asked me.

Yes. I have worked with seniors in every job I’ve held. There’s nothing physically stopping seniors from doing the jobs- many aren’t too rough on the body. Certainly they seem physically tame compared to Amazon’s warehouse jobs. And seniors seem to be getting hired if they go through the same cover letter and resume editing process as everyone else. 

Perhaps it was simply about reaching across the digital divide and actually talking to people in person. I hope more retired seniors are able to have access to this knowledge, so that they feel they have a choice in what jobs they take.

PSA, seniors:  

Getting paid to travel doesn’t have to be painful. It should be beautiful. Try searching wanderjobs.com for seasonal adventure jobs. Also take a look at this mega-list of over 100 resources for travel jobs and volunteer experiences and other ways to travel for free!

About the author