Frequently Asked Questions About Employment

What is the minimum age required to work at the fair?

Applicants are required to be 16 years of age or older to apply through the Minnesota State Fair Employment Center. Applicants must meet this requirement at the time of applying.

What is the process for getting a job to work at the State Fair?

1. Submit an online employment registration form or visit the Employment Center to register.
2. Go to the Employment Center to activate your registration. No appointment needed.
3. Meet in-person with Employment Center staff to be screened and discuss open positions.
4. If a position matches your interests, availability and experience, you may be referred to a State Fair department or vendor for a possible interview. Interviews are typically scheduled for a future date.
5. If the State Fair department or vendor offers you a position, you will discuss employment details with them.

If I previously worked for the State Fair or registered in the past, do I have to register online again?

No. If you registered (online or in person) or worked at the Minnesota State Fair in 2007 through 2023, you do not need to re-register. However, you must go to the Employment Center to reactivate and update your registration each year.

When can I begin my online registration?

Online registration begins June 1, 2024.

What if I do not have access to a computer?

Visit the Employment Center during office hours, and the staff can assist you with your registration.

How do I get to the Employment Center? Is it on the fairgrounds?

The Employment Center is not located on the fairgrounds. It is located south of the fairgrounds at 1640 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108 – one block west of Snelling Avenue.

Parking is available on the west side of the building.

Directions:

From the north:

Take 35W south to Highway 36 east via Cleveland Avenue exit. From Highway 36, go south on Snelling Avenue. Exit on Como Avenue and go west (right) approximately one block.

Or, take 35E south to Highway 36 west. Take Snelling Avenue exit and go south. Exit on Como Avenue and go west (right) approximately one block.

From the south:

Take 35W north to I-94 east. Exit on Snelling Avenue, then turn north (left). Exit on Como Avenue and head west (left) approximately one block.

Or, take 35E north to I-94 west. Exit on Snelling Avenue, then turn north (right). Exit on Como Avenue and head west (left) approximately one block.

From the east:

Take I-94 west. Exit on Snelling Avenue, then turn north (right). Exit on Como Avenue and head west (left) approximately one block.

From the west:

Take I-94 east. Exit on Snelling Avenue, then turn north (left). Exit on Como Avenue and head west (left) approximately one block.

Check with Metro Transit for bus information: https://www.metrotransit.org/

What happens when I go to the Employment Center?

You will meet in person with an Employment Center staff member to review the registration form you submitted online. You will discuss your interests, availability and experience. If you are a match with any open positions with State Fair departments or vendors, you may be referred to an interview.

Can I do a phone screening or interview instead?

Applicants must visit the Employment Center in-person to meet with our staff to activate their online registration..

Do I need to bring any identification to the Employment Center when I come in?

Identification is not required for the registration process, but it is helpful.

If an applicant is hired to work for a Minnesota State Fair department, they must bring in forms of identification from the List of Acceptable Documents when completing the Step Two process.

How long does screening take at the Employment Center?

Screening takes approximately 5 minutes, depending on the number of applicants that are at the Employment Center at the same time. We take the necessary time with each applicant but keep the process moving.

Can my parent be with me during my screening?

Only the applicant meets with a staff member.

How do I prepare for a screening at the Employment Center?

• Be well groomed and neatly dressed.
• Review the list of fair-time jobs, and be prepared to discuss your areas of interest.
• Check your calendar, and be prepared to discuss your availability and schedule.
• Review your resume, and be prepared to discuss your education, previous jobs, volunteer work or other experience.
• Silence electronic devices.
• Be courteous – smile and be polite.
• Use proper posture.
• Answer all questions completely.
• Ask questions.

How is an applicant selected for a job referral?

Applicants are referred for interviews when their interests, availability and experience match what the State Fair department or vendor has requested for a position. We are unable to refer every applicant.

Can I interview for multiple positions at the same time?

We refer applicants to one interview at a time.

Are available jobs posted on the website or at the Employment Center?

The type and number of jobs available changes frequently, therefore we do not post open fair-time positions on the website. When you meet with Employment Center staff, they will tell you about open jobs they believe match your interests, availability and experience.

What types of jobs are available?

The types of jobs that are available change frequently as we continue to fill positions and receive hiring requests. We have jobs with State Fair departments, food vendors, ride operators, game operators and exhibitors. You will get specifics when you meet with a staff member. We receive staffing requests throughout the summer months.

See a list of possible fair-time job opportunities.

What are my chances of getting a job if I come in the first day that the Employment Center is open?

Applicants are not referred on a first-come, first-served basis. Job referrals are based on matching an applicant’s interest, availability and experience to the needs of the State Fair departments and vendors who are hiring.

Who hires and pays me?

After you receive a job referral, the State Fair department or vendor who is looking for employees will interview and hire qualified candidates. You may be required to complete additional paperwork once you are offered a position. Your paycheck will be issued by the State Fair if you are working for one of its departments. If you work for a vendor, they will pay you.

Do I have to work all 12 days?

Most fair-time positions prefer that the applicant is available to work all 12 days (Aug. 22 – Sept. 2). Work schedules vary depending on the job. This will be reviewed with the applicant during the screening process.

Should I register online more than once to increase my chances of getting a job?

No. Referrals are based on matching an applicant’s interests, availability and experience to the needs of the State Fair departments and vendors who are hiring. If you’d like to make changes to your registration, contact the Employment Center during business hours.

If I want to work for a vendor, do I go through the Employment Center?

Some vendors hire employees through the Employment Center and others hire on their own. Job availability varies.

Does everyone who applies get a job?

We cannot offer a job to everyone who applies. We match an applicant’s interest, availability and experience with the employment needs of State Fair departments and vendors.

If I have met with a staff member at the Employment Center but haven’t been contacted about a job referral, should I contact you again?

There is no need to contact our office as a follow-up to your visit. We will call you if a job is available that matches your interest, availability and experience. Contacting our office does not improve your chances of getting a referral for an interview.

I had an interview with a State Fair department or vendor a few days ago and have not heard if I have been hired. What should I do?

Please contact the Employment Center at 651-288-4475.

I was offered a job and completed a background check form. When will I hear if I am cleared to work?

If it has been more than seven business days since you submitted your background paperwork, please contact the Employment Center at 651-288-4475.

What identification do I need to work at the fair?

Employees must prove their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete Section 1 of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration I-9 Form. Please see the list of acceptable documents on the USCIS website at: http://www.uscis.gov.

How much do I get paid?

Each employer (a State Fair department or vendor) determines the rate of pay for their positions. This information will be given to you when you are interviewed. The minimum wage for the State of Minnesota is $10.85 per hour. Please refer to the Minnesota Department of Labor for details at: http://www.dli.mn.gov. All State Fair department job wages will start at $11.00 per hour.

When do I get paid?

If you work for a State Fair department, your payroll check will be mailed no later than the Monday after the fair ends. If you work for a vendor, you must check with them. It is your responsibility as an employee to ask about your paycheck and to make sure the employer has your correct mailing address on file.

Do I have to pay admission to get into the fair?

Most employers give their employees admission tickets for the days that the employee works. If you are hired to work for a State Fair department, you will be given admission to the fair. If a vendor hires you, please check with them.

Where do I park during the State Fair?

The State Fair department or vendor that hires you will discuss parking options with you.

Are there jobs available before or after the fair?

Some State Fair departments have summer jobs, which run from May – September and post fair jobs that run September to October. To view current summer or post-fair job openings, visit the Career Portal. You can also ask about these opportunities during your screening.

How do I get a job working during the events throughout the year?

The jobs at various fairgrounds events are filled by State Fair employees who have previously worked during the fair. If you are interested in working at events, you might want to request a referral for a fair-time position with a State Fair department. Please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee you will be hired to work events.

Who do I contact if I have questions when the Employment Center is not open for the summer?

You can contact our employment department at employment@mnstatefair.org.