The entire community shared in the excitement when MTD announced this spring that an expansion would soon be taking place at the Leitchfield location.

Now that excitement and support, along with a great deal of planning and a revamp of the company’s building on Brandenburg Road, have culminated in an upcoming job fair which will help the company fill approximately 50 new full-time positions.

According to Holly Garrigus, MTD’s Human Resources Director, the new jobs are a result of the addition of a plastic injection molding operation that the Leitchfield location is taking over.

“Our business has changed, and we need additional, experienced staffing,” Garrigus explained.

MTD will have human resources staff available at the upcoming Fall Business Expo, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at the Centre on Main to talk with, and provide applications for interested individuals looking for employment. Anyone with questions or a desire to apply can stop by between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 18.

Those with previous related experience may be hired directly by MTD as full-time permanent staff, while those without such experience can apply through two staffing agencies - Omni Staffing or Advantage Staffing, who will also be present at the expo - and may be hired as temporary full-time employees for an introductory period, which will later become a permanent job with MTD.

Prospective employees should have a high-school diploma or equivalent, a clean background check, and a good work history.

Also, according to Garrigus, preference will be given to previous employees with excellent attendance and work history.

These new positions will work on 12-hour shifts from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. with each of the shifts alternating between three and four days every other week on a set schedule.

The remainder of the business will continue to operate on a traditional five-day, eight-hour shift schedule, with overtime as needed.

Garrigus said of the scheduling for the new hires, “We are finding that some people prefer one schedule or the other, with those preferring the 12-hour schedule enjoying the additional days off that this schedule provides.”

According to a press release from the company, “MTD offers a competitive wage and benefits package including health insurance, vacation, 401k, defined contribution retirement and more after an introductory period.”

In addition to these positions, the company will be hiring approximately 70 seasonal employees to work between January and May.

As a lawn and garden business, MTD has, by nature, a very seasonal business model which requires seasonal employees who can enjoy the benefits of working part of the year, but having summers off.

“Our busiest time of year is usually from December through May,” Garrigus said, “We need more associates during this time and normally partner with temporary agencies to fill this need.”