A Snapshot of Lake Minnetonka's Job Market

Editor’s note: Do you know of a job opening in the Lake Minnetonka area? Post it in Patch classifieds.

Local small businesses, supermarkets, school districts, financial institutions and retailers are hiring and looking for qualified candidates. 

“We are always hiring,” said Bob Noyed, communications director for the Wayzata Public Schools. “We have approximately 1,500 employees and the normal cycle of people leaving for other jobs, retirements and newly created positions means we almost always have openings.”

While most teaching positions have been filled for the 2011-12 school year, the district still is seeking 15 classroom teachers and 17 paraprofessionals. It also has a clerical position open, spots for three special education staff members and eight people in athletics and activities.

The Wayzata School District is far from the only place a job seeker might find work.

“We need service technicians and body shop specialists,” said Randy Lammle, president and general manager of . “These are good paying positions, too.”

in downtown Wayzata is, according to manager Patty Kewitsch, looking for both part-time and full-time employees to work in the kitchen and wait on customers.

“We have a fair number of college kids working for us right now, but they will be leaving to go back to school soon and not all of them stay on to work here.”

Summertime college help is also why Natalie Hilden, owner of the Minnetonka Mud Coffee Café, will be hiring soon.

“I have a couple of college kids who will soon leave for school,” she said. “I am hoping to hire someone full time to replace them.”

TCF Banks is hiring across the board, according to spokesperson Jason Korstange.

"The best place to see what is available and where is at our Website,” he said.

Target locations in both Plymouth and Minnetonka also are actively seeking job applicants.

"Our Minnetonka Super Target and Plymouth Target store are both hiring" said Target spokesperson Sarah VanNevel. "While our store-level hiring needs vary greatly by location and season, Target looks for individuals with varying levels of experience to collaboratively lead teams and deliver results."

Cub Foods traditionally does a lot of hiring during the month of August, and this year is no exception, according to Lilia Rodriguez, a company representative.

"We just had a large number of hires for the store in Shorewood," she said.

Fully staffed

Tonka Bay Marina and the Walgreen’s in Excelsior are two area businesses that are fully staffed.

“We have 15 employees,” said marina manager Skip LaJoy. “While we are busiest during the boating season, during the winter we have a fair amount of work, particularly in the areas of maintenance and repair."

Similarly, a Walgreens spokesperson said the Excelsior location is “fully staffed with no openings.”

Two other well-known businesses in the area hire every year, but in both cases it is in the spring.

Managers at both Lord Fletcher’s and the Minnetonka Country Club said they hire in the spring to prepare for their busy outdoor seasons.

All positions are filled in the City of Orono, said Rachel Dodge, deputy city clerk.