Many people in Jacksonville speak Spanish as their first language. Some are new to the area. Others have lived here for years and still prefer to work in Spanish. If that is you, there are jobs in Northeast Florida where you can do the work well without speaking English on site.
This guide explains what "no English required" means, which kinds of roles to look for and how to find them on the All Purpose Staffing job board. It also covers applying in Spanish, the documents you need, safety training and how to build your English on the job if you want to. Not every job is open to Spanish speakers, so knowing how to search saves you time.
What "no English required" means
When a job does not require English, it means you can do the daily work without speaking or reading English well. Usually someone on site speaks Spanish. That may be a supervisor, a lead or a group of coworkers. They can explain tasks, answer questions and pass along changes during the shift.
It does not mean English never comes up. Safety signs, equipment labels and some forms may be in English. A site may have a few English-only managers. What it does mean is that the employer has said the job can be done in Spanish, and that help is available when you need it.
Each job is different. Some sites run almost fully in Spanish. Others have one bilingual lead per shift. If it matters to you, ask your recruiter how much Spanish is spoken on the site and who you can go to with questions.
Kinds of roles to look for
Some jobs in these industries can be done without English. The work is hands-on, and much of it is learned by watching and doing. Whether a specific job requires English depends on the employer and the site, so always check the posting.
- Warehouse and distribution: picking, packing, loading, unloading, sorting and labeling in warehouses and distribution centers.
- Custodial and facilities: cleaning offices, schools, venues and industrial buildings, often on crews with a lead.
- Construction: general labor, site cleanup, material handling and helping skilled workers on job sites.
- Environmental services: helping on waste and recycling routes and crews, which often start early and work outdoors.
How to search the APS job board
The APS job board lets you filter for jobs that do not require English. Some postings are marked this way by the employer. Those jobs show a label that says "Spanish OK" on the English site and "Se habla español" on the Spanish site. The label means no English is required and Spanish is spoken on site.
Not every posting has this label. A job without it may still work for you, but it may need English. If you are not sure, ask a recruiter before you apply. They can tell you what the site expects.
Some job descriptions are only in English, even on the Spanish site. If you see one you like and cannot read every detail, call APS. A recruiter will go over the job with you in Spanish.
- Go to the jobs page on the APS website, or the Spanish version of the site.
- Check the box labeled "No English required" ("Sin requisito de inglés" in Spanish), then search.
- Narrow results by industry, location and job type if you want.
- Look for the "Spanish OK" or "Se habla español" label on each job card.
- Create an account so you can get job alerts when new jobs are posted.
Apply in Spanish
The APS website has a Spanish version at /es. You can read about jobs, browse the job board and fill out the application in Spanish. Your application tells the team that you prefer Spanish.
You can also call or visit. APS has recruiters who speak English and Spanish. Se habla español. When you call or come to the office on Baymeadows Road, say that you would like help in Spanish.
Be honest about your English when you apply. If you speak a little, say so. If you speak none, say that too. There is no wrong answer. Clear information helps your recruiter match you with a site where you can succeed from the first day.
Tell your recruiter about your past work, even if it was in another country. Skills like operating equipment, cleaning commercial spaces or working on a construction crew carry over. List the kind of work, how long you did it and the tools you used.
Documents you will need
Every new hire in the United States completes the federal Form I-9. It confirms your identity and that you are authorized to work in the U.S. You must show original documents, not copies or photos. APS can explain the form and the document choices in Spanish.
Some jobs also require a background check or a drug screen. Your recruiter will tell you if yours does. Check the job posting for any other requirements, such as safety shoes.
- One document that shows both identity and work authorization, such as a U.S. passport or a permanent resident card.
- Or one identity document, such as a driver's license or state ID, plus one work authorization document, such as a Social Security card.
- Documents must be original and not expired, unless the form's rules allow otherwise.
- Your Social Security number for payroll and tax forms.
- A resume or a list of past jobs, if you have one.
Ask for safety training in your language
Safety training matters more than anything else on your first day. You need to understand where to walk, how to lift, how equipment works and what to do in an emergency. If the training is in English and you do not understand it, you are at risk.
Ask for training in Spanish. OSHA expects safety training to be given in a way workers can understand. Many sites have a bilingual trainer or lead who can explain the rules. If no one is available, tell your recruiter right away so they can help find a solution.
Do not sign a training form you do not understand. Ask someone to explain it first. Ask questions during training, even simple ones. Supervisors would rather answer a question than deal with an injury.
- Who on site speaks Spanish, and how do I reach them during the shift?
- Can I get the safety training or orientation in Spanish?
- What protective equipment do I need, and who provides it?
- What do the main safety signs on this site mean?
- What should I do and who should I call if I get hurt?
Your first day on the job
Before your first day, your recruiter will tell you where to go, when to arrive, who to ask for and what to wear. Ask for the name of someone on site who speaks Spanish. Write it down with the address and the start time.
Plan to arrive early. Large sites can be hard to find, and the worker entrance may not face the street. If you ride the bus or share a ride, do a test trip first. Arriving early gives you time to find the right door and meet your contact.
Expect a short orientation or safety talk. You may also get a tour of the work area, the break room and the restrooms. Use this time to ask questions. Nobody expects you to know everything on day one.
- Bring your I-9 documents if you have not shown them yet.
- Wear closed-toe shoes or the safety shoes the posting asks for.
- Bring water and a lunch, since some sites are far from food.
- Save your recruiter's phone number in case anything goes wrong.
Working well with supervisors and coworkers
Good communication on site is about more than language. Arrive on time, follow instructions and ask when something is unclear. Supervisors notice reliable workers, no matter what language they speak.
Learn a few key words for your job. Words like stop, wait, left, right, pallet, aisle, break and lunch come up every day in a warehouse. On a cleaning crew, learn the names of your supplies and the areas you clean. These words make work smoother, even on a Spanish-speaking crew.
If someone gives you instructions in English that you do not understand, ask them to show you. Many tasks are easier to learn by watching. You can also ask a bilingual coworker to help. Never guess when safety is involved.
Build your English on the job, if you want
You do not need English for the jobs in this guide. Still, some workers want to learn more over time. More English can open doors to other roles, and it can make daily life easier outside work.
The job itself is a good place to start. Pick up the words you hear every day. Ask a coworker to teach you one new phrase each week. Read the signs on site and match them to what they mean.
Jacksonville has free and low-cost options for adult learners. FSCJ offers adult education programs. Ask them about English classes and schedules that fit your shifts. Public libraries in Duval County are another place to ask about classes and study materials. CareerSource Northeast Florida also helps job seekers in the region.
Grow from your first job
Your first job is a starting point. Many APS jobs are contract-to-hire. If you show up for every shift and do good work, the employer may hire you directly. Even if that does not happen, a strong record helps your recruiter place you in the next job.
Being reliable counts in any language. So does learning new skills, like operating a forklift or running a small crew. Speaking both Spanish and some English can also be useful on a mixed crew. Tell your recruiter what you want to do next so they can watch for jobs that fit.
Your recruiter stays in touch after you start. If something is not working, such as the language support, the schedule or the commute, say so early. Problems are easier to solve in the first week.
Common questions
Are there jobs in Jacksonville that do not require English?
Yes, some. Certain warehouse, custodial, construction and environmental services jobs can be done in Spanish. Not every job is open to Spanish speakers, so check the posting or ask a recruiter.
How do I find jobs on the APS website where Spanish is spoken?
Go to the job board and check the box for "No English required" before you search. Jobs that do not require English show a "Spanish OK" label, or "Se habla español" on the Spanish site.
Can I apply for a job in Spanish?
Yes. The APS website has a Spanish version at /es where you can apply. You can also call or visit the Baymeadows Road office and ask for help in Spanish.
What documents do I need to start a job?
You need original documents for the federal Form I-9. That can be one document that shows identity and work authorization, or one identity document plus one work authorization document. Your recruiter can explain the options in Spanish.
Can I get safety training in Spanish?
Ask for it. OSHA expects training to be given in a way workers understand, and many sites have bilingual trainers or leads. If you do not understand the training, tell your recruiter right away.
Do I have to learn English to keep my job?
Not for jobs marked as no English required. Learning some English can still help you on the job and open other roles over time. It is your choice.
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