I've written before about the odd jobs list that the Christian Science Monitor comes up with every week, and its recent lists are worth looking at.

Here are some of the "different" jobs that employers are looking to fill, so act fast:

Yacht rigger. Schooner Creek Boat Works in Portland, Ore., is paying $14 to $22 an hour to perform rigging work on a wide variety of vessels as well as troubleshoot and repair mast wiring and electronics for a pleasure boat company.

Belly dance instructor. One Word Productions of Newnan, Ga., pays less than $10,000 to teach all levels for an urban dance and fitness studio.

Bird-care attendant. Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in Arlington, Wash., is paying $8.55 an hour to feed and clean all baby birds and to monitor the bird's health conditions for a facility that rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife. It's a full-time season position from April through October.

Senior toy packaging logo designer. Volt Services Corp. of Malibu, Calif., is hiring someone to design game and toy packaging logos for video games, dolls, stuffed toys, etc. Salary is not listed.


Landman. Equitable Resources needs someone to obtain approvals from coal owners and their lessees for proposed natural gas wells and pipelines. Job entails preparing well-spot maps and pipeline route exhibits for coal companies. Wage not listed.

Elephant keeper. The Nashville Zoo in Tennessee pays $9 an hour for daily maintenance of hold and exhibit areas, with public speaking and tour presentation responsibilities.

Car hopper/skater. Sonic Drive-In in Center, Texas, is looking for someone to serve patrons in their cars for this franchise, which seeks to recreate the drive-in diner feel of the 1950s. The hourly wage isn't listed, but you'll probably make most of your money from tips. I went to a few Sonics on a recent visit to Texas, and after buying a a Limeaid I felt obligated to tip the skater who was working in the humidity.

Aaron Crowe is an unemployed journalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Read about his job search at www.AaronCrowe.net