Felony Friendly Jobs in Des Moines, IA

Best Industries in Des Moines for People With Records

• ✓Insurance & financial services
• ✓Agriculture & food processing
• ✓Logistics
• ✓Healthcare
• ✓Manufacturing

Staffing Agencies in Des Moines That Work With People With Records

Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Des Moines metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.

• Express Employment Professionals
• Manpower
• Kelly Services
• Adecco
• Aerotek

Iowa Employment Laws for People With Records

Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Des Moines

1. 1.Start with staffing agencies. Temp agencies are often the fastest way to get working. They have relationships with employers who are willing to hire people with records, and a temp-to-hire position can become a permanent job.
2. 2.Apply to multiple places at once. Do not wait for one application to come back before applying to the next. Apply to 5-10 places in the same week. The more applications you send, the better your chances.
3. 3.Be honest about your record. If asked, be upfront. Lying about your criminal history is grounds for immediate termination if discovered later. Briefly acknowledge what happened, explain what you have learned, and focus on what you bring to the job.
4. 4.Focus on industries with high demand. Warehouse, logistics, construction, and food service jobs tend to be the most accessible for people with records because these industries have chronic worker shortages.
5. 5.Use local reentry programs. Organizations like Goodwill, workforce development centers, and reentry coalitions can connect you with employers who actively hire people with records. They often know about job openings before they are publicly posted.
6. 6.Know your rights. Under the EEOC guidelines, employers must use individualized assessment — they cannot have a blanket ban on hiring people with records. Under the FCRA, you have the right to see and dispute your background check. If you are in a ban-the-box state or city, employers cannot ask about your record until later in the hiring process.

Reentry Employment Programs in Des Moines

• IowaWORKS — Des Moines
• Goodwill of Central Iowa
• EMBARC (Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy & Resource Center)
• United Way of Central Iowa
• Iowa Prison Industries

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best felony friendly jobs in Des Moines?

Des Moines offers opportunities in food processing (Tyson and other food companies), warehouse and logistics (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), manufacturing, construction, and retail (Walmart, Target, Hy-Vee). The food processing industry is a major employer.

Does Des Moines have ban-the-box laws?

No. Iowa does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers, and Des Moines does not have a local ordinance. State government employment follows a governor's executive order removing criminal history questions from initial applications.

What staffing agencies in Des Moines hire felons?

Staffing agencies in Des Moines include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Aerotek. Food processing and warehouse staffing are especially common.

What is the minimum wage in Des Moines?

The minimum wage in Des Moines is $7.25 per hour (federal minimum). Iowa does not have a state minimum above the federal level. Manufacturing and food processing jobs typically start at $14-$18 per hour.