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The surge in apartment construction in metro Denver is creating shortages of a different kind — workers to lease and maintain all the new developments.
“With about 25,000 units under construction, we are estimating that 600 jobs will be available,” said Christopher Dean, a spokesman with the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.
With the local unemployment rate at its lowest since the dot-com boom days, finding help has gotten much tougher. Experienced workers jump from new development to even shinier new development, and that is forcing their employers to get more creative in how they recruit.
“Instead of focusing on people who have industry experience, we are saying for these entry-level positions, let’s start getting outside of our industry,” said Allison Moledo, vice president of talent and development at Cardinal Group Management in Denver.
Hospitality and retail workers with good people and sales skills can carry those into work as leasing agents. Likewise, workers with construction experience and a mechanical aptitude can handle maintenance tasks.
The problem is that many workers who might fit in well at a multifamily property don’t even know it represents a career field, Moledo said. The careers are ones most people stumble into, not intentionally pursue.
To help acquaint the public with opportunities in leasing and maintenance, the association is coordinating open houses at 50 locations throughout metro Denver on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., part of the larger celebration of Apartment Day.
About 7,800 people work onsite at apartment communities throughout the metro area, with another 1,200 working off-site in management and investment companies, Dean said.
On the leasing side, entry-level wages in metro Denver start at about $28,000 and average closer to $41,000, Dean said. Commissions and incentives can boost that by another $1,000 a month. On the maintenance side, starting wages run about $31,200, with the average wage closer to $38,000.
The industry also offers opportunities for advancement into areas like marketing, community management and property acquisition. Average wages for the industry in metro Denver are closer to $50,630, Dean said, citing a survey conducted last year.
Many apartment management companies dangle a lure with particular appeal in this tight real estate market — a discount on a place to live. Modelo said the standard discount on rent is 20 percent, with even larger discounts for managers.
The apartment association has created a website with job openings and more information on careers in the multi-family housing market at proapartments.com.
