One of Springfield’s largest employers plans to hire hundreds more workers this year, according to sources familiar with the plans.
Chase Card Services, 303 E. Republic Road, is seeking candidates for entry-level jobs, said Tanya Madison, a media representative for Wilmington, Del.-based Chase Card Services.
“We’re currently hiring … customer service adviser roles and sales customer service adviser roles in the inbound and outbound service and sales areas,” Madison said. “As credit card customers call in with inquiries about their account or to open new accounts, they would call in to this call center and these would be the advisers that provide service to them.”
Madison said the company has added 100 full-time workers since January, but she would not disclose the final hiring figure.
Kristen Westerman, manager of work force development for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, has been informed by Chase representatives that new jobs would total 400.
“Obviously, we’re really excited. With the job market the way it has been, any announcement is exciting,” Westerman said. “Chase has been a very valued business in this community for a long time.
Interested candidates may apply by going to careers.jpmorganchase.com and entering the keyword “SpringfieldMO” to see job openings. Also, a pair of on-site career events will be held at 10 a.m. April 15 and 6 p.m. April 28.
Chase currently employs around 1,300 in Springfield.
The hiring announcement comes five months after Kelly Weaver was named Springfield site manager, succeeding Michael Replogle. Madison would not comment on Replogle’s departure.
Missouri Career Center officials say Chase’s plans, along with Kraft’s recent announcement to increase production by adding a line, may signal a light at the end of the tunnel for job seekers.
“It’s just another sign that a lot more places are hiring,” said Jaydean Miller, work force supervisor at the Missouri Career Center, noting that job listings on www.missouricareersource.com reached 749 last week.
“A year ago we were sitting around 200 to 300 listings,” Miller said. “In fact, just a couple months ago, we probably only had 400 in the system. Employers are calling us and taking applications. We’re seeing a lot more activity on that site.”
The Springfield Chase center opened in 1998 as FirstCard, before operating as First USA and later Bank One.
In 2008, the Springfield Business Journal named Chase Card Services a “Choice Employer,” recognizing it for employee benefits, including child care and adoption assistance at a discount.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) had fourth-quarter 2009 net income of $3.3 billion, compared to net income of $702 million in fourth-quarter 2008, according to Chase earnings reports.
The recent quarter’s earnings per share were 74 cents, compared to 6 cents in fourth-quarter 2008.
For full year 2009, net income was $11.7 billion, or $2.26 per share, up from $5.6 billion, or $1.35 per share, in 2008.[[In-content Ad]]
