11-02-2025
Hard Rock hiring, contracting event set for April
The initial phase of construction probably won't finish until December, but hiring has already begun — and vendor contracting is next — at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in Mettler.
The casino's president told a meeting of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Government Relations Committee that an event has been scheduled for April 4 and 5 at Bakersfield College where people will be able to speak with Hard Rock representatives about opportunities to work with the company or directly for it.
But even before that, President Chris Kelley said, Hard Rock is hiring senior executives in the areas of finance, food and beverage, gaming operations, human resources, marketing, security and surveillance, compliance, facilities and purchasing.
Kelley said he made offers to candidates in three of those positions Sunday "but there will be many, many more."
"Ultimately it takes a village to build a project like this," he said.
At the event in April, Kelley said, the company plans to speak with people interested in working in cash operations, food and beverage, entertainment, executive and administration, finance, hotel operations, HR and information technology. He said the company looks for people with a positive attitude and a passion for entertaining who are also team players, energetic, trustworthy, reliable, diverse and flexible.
Hard Rock is also looking to hire card dealers and other personnel who will guide players through the gaming side of the operation. Kelley said successful candidates will go through a training course lasting six to 12 weeks. They will learn how to deal games including blackjack, craps and roulette, Kelley said.
The plan is to hire 1,000 people before the casino opens its first phase.
The casino also hopes to work with a variety of local service providers, including landscapers. Kelley did not provide a list of opportunities but invited contractors to speak with Hard Rock representatives at the event in April, details of which have not yet been announced. Companies may contact him to discuss the casino's needs in the meantime, he said, though he did not provide contact information.
Hard Rock is a well-known brand with a "DEI" strategy that emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion, he said. The casino wants employees to get involved, feel a sense of purpose and gain a sense of connection, he added.
The first phase of the casino, planned to open by the end of this year, will include a casino floor measuring more than 100,000 square feet with more than 2,500 slot machines and at least 50 gaming tables. It will also come with several restaurants.
The second phase is planned to add a 400-room hotel and a 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live events venue, as well as additional dining, a pool, a spa and other amenities. Company representatives said in September the plan was to open that phase in late summer 2027.
But on Monday, Kelley responded to a question about the specific timing by saying, "We'll see." He went on to say his "highest priority is making sure we open with the best facility we can." After that Hard Rock will focus on next steps, he said.
Kelley opened his presentation by comparing Sunday's Super Bowl with the kind of experiences the hospitality industry tries to create.
"That common experience creates a sense of connection, creates a sense of engagement," he said. "It gives us a bridge to each other in ways that we don't often see throughout the year."
The casino will be a place guests can come and enjoy together while they celebration job promotions, birthdays and other special events, Kelley said.
"It's also an opportunity to build a career that can take you to some of the most amazing places," he added.
