Iowa Workforce Development is renewing its annual call for workers during the nine days of the Clay County Fair.

People who want to work at the Sept. 6-14 event may sign up now at the Iowa Workforce Development office, 217 West Fifth St., Spencer, either in person or by calling 712-262-1971 ext. 123. Hours for the sign up are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"The first thing we have them do is fill out an application that we have at the workforce office downtown," said Alice Kehr of Iowa Workforce Development. "Or, starting, Sept. 3, it will be out at the (Iowa Workforce Development) office on the fairgrounds. Basically, they fill out the application and I make the referral to the employer. Then the employer has the final decision as to whether they're appropriate for the job or not."

The temporary Workforce Center is located at the north end of the Information Booth, just south of the Grandstand at the intersection of Second Avenue and Fifth Street on the fairgrounds. The phone number (to be activated on Sept. 3) will be 712-262-5521 and the temporary Workforce Center will be open through Sept. 14.

Staff members at the Iowa Workforce Development office in Spencer receive 80-100 job placement requests per year for fair work.

"It's hard to say because every year is different," Kehr said.

Openings exist for a variety of jobs, including food service, concessions, booth sales, restroom cleaning, display set up and tear down, etc. Salaries may not be covered under minimum wage laws, and will vary with different vendors.

Full-time and part-time work is available on day or evening shifts. Applicants should expect to work long hours and may be standing on their feet for 8-10 hours per day in non-air-conditioned or heated facilities, and may work at outdoor exhibits.

Employers must comply with federal and state child labor laws regarding the hiring of youth ages 14-17.

Exhibitors and vendors at the Clay County Fair who need workers are encouraged to contact the local Iowa Workforce Development office for assistance in recruiting workers. Both the temporary and regular offices are open to both applicants and employers at no fees.

Vendors who need workers can fill out a job order form, which is available at the Iowa Workforce Development office.

"Basically it tells us what their needs are, how many people they need, what kinds of skills they need and what they'd be doing that week," said Linda Gray, an Iowa Workforce Development manager.

Iowa Workforce Development is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.