Finding employers that value older workers can be a challenge. But today AARP introduced a job search engine powered by RetirementJobs.com that lists openings posted by “age friendly certified employers.”

The portal at www.aarp.org/jobs locates part-time, full-time and flex-time positions by keyword and location. Searches can be targeted within a radius of up to 50 miles. To be certified as age friendly, employers must maintain policies, practices and programs consistent with employing people age 50 and older based solely on their proficiency, qualifications and contribution.

As the exclusive job search engine provider for AARP’s “Career” site, RetirementJobs.com also will offer advice to individuals entering or reentering the workforce. Content will be provided by Bob Skladany, vice president of research for RetirementJobs.com, who will serve as a career counselor, columnist and blogger.

Patrick Rafter, vice president of communications for RetirementJobs.com, said the service features more than 30,000 jobs listed by hundreds of employers in a variety of industries, including retail, health care, light manufacturing, services, staffing (finance and accounting, legal, consulting), government, customer service and hospitality. Jobs are available in all 50 states and 187 major metropolitan areas.

Job seekers seeking encore careers may be disappointed to find that few of the positions listed have social impact. Openings include accounting clerks, supermarket checkers and baggers, banquet servers and sales representatives. Among the age friendly companies offering the jobs are Safeway, AT&T, Accountemps and Staples.

An AARP survey in May was one of the catalysts for the new service. It found that 27 percent of the 1,002 workers aged 45 and older who were surveyed said they had postponed plans to retire because of the recent economic downturn. Additional AARP research has determined that nearly eight in 10 boomers plan to work into the traditional retirement years. Half of AARP’s members are currently working.