Whether you are a young single person just starting your career, an established professional, or parent relocating with your family, the Durango, CO, area provides a variety of exciting employment opportunities. In July 2011, La Plata County had an unemployment rate of 6.4 percent, well below the Colorado state rate of 8.5 percent and the national rate of 9.1 percent. Durango is a hub for job opportunities in medical services, government, tourism, and education, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
As the largest employer in La Plata County, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe is an excellent place to seek work. The tribe employs people to oversee operations, perform manual and skilled labor, operate the casino, teach, and lead special programs for tourists and tribe members. Major employers in the education sector include the Durango school district, Southwest Colorado Community College, and Fort Lewis College. Educators, teacher’s aides, administrators, admissions coordinators, school counselors, social workers, and others may find employment in the Durango area through these educational institutions.
If you are interested in employment in the medical services sector, the Mercy Medical Center offers a variety of positions. Physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, medical equipment technicians, support staff, and other medical professionals enjoy the updated facility and warm environment of Mercy Medical Center. The medical center also offers generous benefits to employees, including high-quality insurance, a pension plan, on-site child care, employee wellness programs, and educational opportunities.
Durango features a warm climate with over 300 days of sunlight per year. As a result, tourism forms a major part of the local economy. Find work at a lodge or ski resort, hotel, outfitter, rental agency, restaurant, or local retailer. Mesa Verde National Park, several archeological areas, and San Juan National Forest are short drives from downtown Durango. These major tourist attractions offer a variety of government and private sector employment opportunities.
The Durango area has numerous employers eager to hire dedicated, hard-working employees. Whether you are a ski instructor, high school teacher, registered nurse, fly fishing guide, lawyer, or office administrator, La Plata County offers a variety of employment opportunities. The relatively low unemployment rate and number of available jobs makes relocating to Durango an attractive option regardless of your prior work experience or chosen career.
