Can You Work in the Paradise of St. Croix? Yes!

If you are like me, and just can't wait till you're 65 to "retire" to the virgin islands, but are SO READY to quit your current job and start a new life, then this post is designed specifically for you!  I started a new career here, and many other folks have done the same.  Some have turned former "hobbies" into paying jobs.  It's quite possible that you'll be served a fine meal by a former CEO of a large company!

Moving here or "retiring"  here does not mean that you can't be productive or have a full or part time job to bring in some extra money and/or contribute in a meaningful way.  There are numerous places to do volunteer work as well, and also plenty of job opportunities.

Your job research should start before your arrival on the island.  Checking local job websites and newspapers will give you an idea of what the job market on St. Croix has to offer. It is also a good idea to check the job opening/career pages of local and federal agency web sites, especially if your experience and training are in the areas of social work, business administration or project management. It is not likely that you will secure more than the prospect of an interview before your arrival, unless your area of expertise is in a specific industry, such as many of the positions utilized in the island's resident oil refinery. Check the links below for more information on local employment opportunities.

www.vidol.gov/Units/JobService/Job_Seekers.html:  Virgin Islands Department of Labor, Division of Job Services.  Registration with the Department of Labor is recommended shortly after you arrive, especially if you plan to work full time. It must be done in person, and you must submit identification (birth certificate, driver's license or state ID for copying) and an up-to- date resume with your application. You are given a copy of most recent job listings to review while you wait to see a representative. St. Croix locations: Frederiksted - 302 King St., (340) 772-2312; Christiansted - Sunny Isle Store #7, (340) 773-1440.

http://www.dlca.gov.vi/boardcertifications.htm :  Department of Licensing & Consumer Affairs. The Department of Licensing & Consumer Affairs is a necessary stop if you are interested in one of the fields that require passing an examination for board certification to be employed in the territory. Social worker, architect, and electrician are among the job titles for which this is a must.

http://www.dopusvi.org/careers.aspx : Division of Personnel.

http://www.viirb.com/: Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue.

http://www.vivote.gov/index.htm: Election Systems of the U.S.  Virgin Islands. Poll workers are needed for primaries and general elections. Call (340) 773-1021 for information or applications are accepted in-person, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., across from the K Mart annex at the Sunny Isle Annex #4, 93A.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/about/jobs.htm: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.

This agency lists job openings through USAJOBS, the official job site of the U.S. Federal Government, www.usajobs.gov .

http://www.vipd.gov.vi/work_with_us/work_with_us.aspx: U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department.

http://www.viport.com/employment.html: Virgin Islands Port Authority. To file an application for employment at the Port Authority, contact VIPA's Personnel Department at (340) 774-1629, ext. 677; please mail your applications to: Virgin Islands Port Authority Attention: Personnel Department P. O. Box 301707 St. Thomas, VI 00803-1707

www.dpnr.gov.vi: Department of Planning & Natural Resources. Job openings are listed on the Division of Personnel's site, http://www.dopusvi.org/careers.aspx.

www.vid.uscourts.gov/pages/Body_employment/htm: U.S District Court of the Virgin Islands.

http://www.viig.org/careers.html: The Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General.

http://www.viwapa.vi/jobs_ext_list.asp: U.S. Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority.

http://hrweb.uvi.edu: University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Campus (jobs on St. Croix are denoted with STX.

http://stx.onepaper.com/: St. Croix Source, online newspaper. Check the Classifieds page for employment opportunities.

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/: Virgin Islands Daily News, online version. Check the Classifieds under the Employment link for job openings.

http://www.career.vi:  website dedicated to job openings in St. Croix.

http://www.caribbeanmonster.com - Caribbean-focused version of the popular job website.

I'm a Realtor now, sold my business and moved here a few years ago and have no regrets!  Our economy is very strong, and real estate prices are poised to do nothing but go up.

Contact me with any questions about relocation or retirement in St. Croix, and for real estate market information.  I'm livin' my dream - are you?