ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Before Newt Basey pulls off in his UPS delivery truck, a dog barks at him.

“These dogs are pretty nice,” admits Basey. Fall leaves hide a home’s driveaway on the driver’s Rockford-area route. “I’ve been here before.”

It won’t be long before snow replaces the fallen foliage – marking the holiday season’s return. For now, it’s quiet before the shopping flurry moves in.

Basey closes in on his sixth year at UPS with cool nerves – despite yappy dogs –, “UPS really trained us to just make our presence known. That way we don’t have any incidents.” Still, the delivery driver won’t be alone for shipping’s busiest time of year.

UPS prepares to hire 7,500 full- and part-time seasonal crew members around Rockford. Across the country, the shipping service hires 125,000 seasonal employees.

“Come in and I’m telling you, you make family here at UPS,” Sabrina Gulley encourages. The UPS Business, Training and Compliance manager adds, “Just come in and do your job and have a great time.”

Wages start at $21 an hour for package handlers and $23 for delivery drivers. Some crew members may be eligible for the Earn and Learn program, with up to $25,000 available for college tuition and expenses.

By December, 30 million packages a day will pass through UPS workers’ hands. That demand opens positions from the warehouse to the delivery truck.

“We have several shifts that you can apply for; we have multiple jobs,” reports Gulley. “We also have driver helpers, which we have you go out with a UPS driver, and you help deliver packages.”

While surprises await inside holiday gifts, Basey finds occasional surprises on delivery routes, “That’s the toughest part. Just learning new routes.” However, consistency offers clarity, “You got to learn the businesses – where their deliveries and pickups are at.”

The “tough” work pays off. Basey credits his “two little boys” at home for inspiring him to wake up each day, “This job definitely provides for my family, very well. I’m very thankful for it.”

One of UPS’ biggest recruitment events is “Brown Friday.” On Nov. 1, the company welcomes applicants to hear from current employees, tour facilities and potentially receive an offer on the spot – possibly in 10 minutes.

Those interested can learn more by clicking here.

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