About 900 permanent employees are expected to be hired to work at the site in Burlington, according to the company, which is more than originally expected.

BURLINGTON CITY — Amazon is ready to start hiring people to work in its new million-square-foot fulfillment center here with the intent of beginning operations at the mega-warehouse next month.

The retail giant announced the start of hiring Tuesday and is directing potential applicants to its website, www.amazondelivers.jobs/warehouse-jobs/new-jersey-jobs for information about the opportunities at the new site, the company’s second fulfillment center in the county. Amazon already operates a 613,920-square-foot center built by Matrix on Cedar Lane in Florence.

The Burlington warehouse was developed by Matrix Development Group on the former U.S. Pipe and Foundry property spanning the border of Burlington Township and Burlington City. Amazon is leasing the warehouse space and is the sole tennant.

About 900 permanent employees are expected to be hired to work at the site, according to the company, which is more than originally expected.

“Employees will play integral roles picking, packing and shipping household consumer goods to Amazon customers across the region,” Amazon said in a notice about the hiring start. It said the new fulfillment center will primarily handle larger items, including patio furniture, kayaks, electronics and pet food.

A spokeswoman for the company said the company expects to launch operations at the new site in late September so that it’s fully operational for the upcoming holiday shopping season.

That’s sooner than expected, as this past spring local officials said they were told by Matrix Amazon might not be ready to start work at the site until early next year.

While principle construction at the site is complete, the company is still completing the final installations of its technology and robotics systems, as well as its conveyors. Work is being performed inside under a temporary certificate of occupancy issued by Burlington Township. A permanent CO is expected to be issued once the work inside the building is completed, according to Burlington Township Administrator Stephen Fazekas.

Burlington City Mayor Barry Conaway said the employees at the mega-warehouse will be comparable to the more than 800 that worked at the former pipe foundry during its peak and will provide a good source of income for residents and families.

The site will become the city’s largest employer and a key addition to its riverfront, after laying dormant for years.

“Anytime you’re able to bring 600 to 800 jobs to your community is always a good thing,” Conaway said Tuesday. “I hope those who have been locked out of employment in the areas will be able to get a job there.”

He said the city was willing to assist the company with hiring and is negotiating with the company about allowing them to use public buildings for interviews and job fairs as part of their hiring process.

Burlington City is in negotiations with the company about using the city’s recreation building for interviews and other steps in their hiring process.

In addition to the two Burlington County centers, Amazon also has fulfillment centers in Avenel, Carteret, Cranbury Township and Edison in Middlesex County, Logan Township in Gloucester County and Robbinsville in Mercer County, and more than 17,500 people are employed by the company in New Jersey.

Minimum wage for Amazon workers is currently $15 an hour and the company said it offers full-time workers full medical, vision, and dental insurance, as well as a 401(k) with 50 percent match. The company also offers up to 20 weeks of maternal and parental paid leave.

The company will also provide safety training and other continuing education opportunities for new employees.

Perspective employees must be 18 and have a high school diploma.

Original Article