Camden Special Services District gives workers a raise – and looks to hire more

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Cleaning, beautification and hospitality workers of Camden Special Services District (CSSD), commonly known as “yellow jacket ambassadors,” will have their wages increased this month from $12 to $15 an hour, the agency announced on July 7.

The CSSD also said it intends to hire an additional 11 staff members, as well as one new team leader, bringing its total staff count to 26.

Team leaders will also see an increase in pay from $17 to $19 an hour, while the administrative assistant/hotline dispatcher’s hourly rate will increase from $18 to $20. All employees will continue to receive health, dental, and life insurance benefits, as well as paid holiday, birthday and vacation time off.

Yellow jacket ambassadors have performed a wide range of maintenance services since 2005 to support downtown businesses, residents and visitors, including enhanced cleaning, landscaping, hospitality and event support.

All ambassadors and team leaders must be Camden residents. CSSD also offers a Second Chance program, which is geared towards individuals who have been homeless, previously incarcerated, or otherwise need a second chance.

“We’re so excited to give our hardworking CSSD Ambassadors a raise,” said Caren Fishman, executive director of CSSD. “Many of them have been with us for years, and they’ve worked even more diligently since the pandemic broke out, sanitizing surfaces more frequently and offering assistance to pedestrians as needed. We’re thrilled to be paying a fair wage to a team that works so hard, and to be able to grow our team so we can make downtown Camden even more inviting and attractive.”

In addition to maintaining and beautifying downtown Camden’s public spaces, CSSD provides many of the same services to private businesses across the downtown district but through privately funded fee-for-service contracts. The district comprises approximately 1.97 square miles and 153 blocks.

Camden residents interested in applying for the available positions should call the CSSD at 856-389-3389. Additional job information can be found on the CSSD website.