ATLANTA _ UPS said Wednesday it plans to hire about 95,000 seasonal workers to prepare for the holiday shipping period that will run from November through January.
That volume is on par with the shipping giant's peak seasonal hiring last year.
The company, headquartered in suburban Atlanta, "needs lots of great people for various positions on all shifts across the country," said UPS president of U.S. operations Myron Gray.
The seasonal positions include full-time and part-time jobs for package handlers, drivers and driver-helpers.
UPS ramps up significantly for its busiest time of the year leading up to Christmas, facing intense pressure to deliver packages on time for the holidays. The busy season continues into January with shipments of returned items.
UPS says the seasonal jobs are an "entry point for permanent employment at UPS," adding that from 2012 through 2014, more than 37 percent of seasonal hires were later hired into a permanent position. The company also said many executives including CEO David Abney started their careers at the firm as part-time employees.
At certain UPS locations, part-time workers in college are also eligible for up to $25,000 in tuition assistance, the company said.
Those interested can go to UPSjobs.com to apply online. The company also plans to recruit on campuses at college football games this fall.
