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A couple of job fairs coming up that offer unique part-time job opportunities.

Peabody Opera House and the Scottrade Center are looking to hire for the upcoming seasons. Positions available at either location include guest service host, student host, concierge, guest service supervisor and security.

The job fair will be held June 26 and July 10 from 3 PM to 7 PM.

More information is available at the Peabody Opera House and Scottrade Center websites. 

   The BJC Hospital group is laying off 160 employees from it's 13 hospitals.  

   BJC officals say the lay-offs necessary because of a decline in in-patient care.  The problem, they say, is that people are delaying treatments, some for lack of insurance, others because of high co-pays.

   Layoff notifications started going out Wednesday.  

   Most of those affected work in administrative and management positions.  BJC says those laid off will receive severance pay based on years of service.

The St. Louis area unemployment rate still sits above seven percent--at 7.5 %--but there is good news in the latest set of job numbers.

The number of jobs in the area has increased over last year. Some of the sectors that showed the largest gains were trade, education, and health services. While the area with the greatest number of losses was the government.

In total, there are 2,300 more jobs in March 2013 compared to March 2012.

Job seekers have a chance to speak to over 50 employers at a job fair later this month.

Southwestern Illinois College is holding their spring job fair from nine to noon on Wednesday, April 24. Job seekers should arrive in business attire with copies of their resume. Career fields from health care to education will be represented and include companies like Schnucks, Edward Jones, and the St. Louis Police Department.

You can find the complete list of participating companies here.