Thunder Valley Casino and Resort near Lincoln has started accepting applications for more than 600 jobs at the casino, restaurants and the soon-to-open hotel and spa.

Applications can be submitted online at thundervalleyresort.com. About 200 jobs will be for the hotel and spa, which opens in July. About 400 positions will be in casino operations, according to a news release Friday from the casino's owner, the United Auburn Indian Community.

Interviews start this month and will go through April. Thunder Valley will complete initial hiring by May 15.

“We are incredibly excited to be able to create over 600 new jobs for the local community,” said Jessica Tavares, chairwoman of the tribe, in a news release. “At a time when there is so much bad news about the economy, we believe our new hotel, spa and expanded casino will continue to be an economic engine for this region.”

The positions range from entry-level to managerial, with shifts available round-the-clock. More than half of the positions are full-time jobs, and include benefits such as vacation, dental, vision and health benefits.

Thunder Valley first opened in June 2003. It is one of the largest employers in Placer County.