Just months after closing two area stores, Ralphs announced it will host a series of hiring events in October to fill 30 pharmacy positions and more than 1,200 retail jobs throughout Southern California.

The supermarket chain, a division of The Kroger Co., will hold a virtual health and wellness job fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6 to hire pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Another virtual hiring event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13 to fill the retail openings.

Pharmacy applicants can make virtual job appointments at https://bit.ly/39TbAri and retail job seekers can sign in at https://bit.ly/39Rz53N.

Kroger recently shuttered a Ralphs supermarket and Food 4 Less grocery in Long Beach and another Ralphs in Los Angeles. Kroger called all three “underperforming” stores, and said its decision to close them was accelerated by the COVID-19 “hazard pay” boosts those cities mandated for grocery workers.

The temporary, hourly pay hikes were $4 at the Long Beach store and $5 at the Los Angeles location.

Ralphs said it is looking for full- and part-time Southern California workers to staff produce departments and center aisles, in addition to cashiers, courtesy clerks and online order-fulfillment workers for its Ralphs Pickup service.

Full-time and part-time positions are also available at the company’s manufacturing and distribution centers. Human Resources Director LeAnne Romesburg said the jobs offer flexible schedules, competitive pay and health care, retirement benefits and tuition reimbursement.