SPRINGFIELD — Despite a slumping economy, opportunities do exist for summer job seekers.

Several area workforce specialists say hiring for seasonal employment seems to be as strong as usual. Area employers who hire for the summer include National Trail Parks and Recreation District, Paramount's Kings Island, summer camps and summer programs at local universities.

"A lot of the jobs that have been listed in other years are listed again," said Mary Patton, director of career management at Clark State Community College. "We are not seeing cutbacks in those (seasonal) jobs at this time."

Patton said her office has 40 to 50 summer jobs posted now, which is similar to past years.

Lehan Peters, director of the WorkPlus One-Stop Center, said the openings for National Trail, as well as other summer and permanent job openings, are posted at WorkPlus, 1345 Lagonda Ave. WorkPlus includes county, state and private agencies that provide services to job hunters, including postings of job openings, résumé preparation and classes on how to do well in an interview.

Peters said restaurants and retail stores will hire some extra help for the summer, but students may face a more competitive situation than in past years. The area has many laid-off workers waiting to be called back. Retirees may need extra income because of rising gas and food prices.

Those groups normally would not be in the market for part-time positions, but may seek them this year, making it tougher for students, Peters said.