I Have a "Retirement Job", But I Want Something Better (employee, employer)

[2nd trick op]

Two and a half years have passed since my last "mainstream" employment -- in a fast-pace environment -- ended, not suprisingly, just days before a few more perks were due to take effect under company policy.

In fairness, the impact was not all that great; I'd formulated a retirement strategy quite some time previously, and a "temp" agency I'd used on a couple of occasions soon found me something that got me past the age-66 qualification for both full Social Security benefits, and no penalty for sideline work. So far, I've found a May-October opportunity, and the pay isn't too bad. However, the work, involving a lot of dealing with the public, is usually pleasant, but "cut-and-dried". That employer has repeatedly praised my performance, but due to the seasonal and "bottom-heavy" nature of their expectations, can offer little prospect for greater creativity or proactivity

Looking back over a 45-year career, I can identify the best jobs I held as in "nerve canter" locations which operated 24 hours/7 days, and often had an "authorized persons only" sign on the door. The work usually involved resolution of issues of spontaneous origin, and you got feedback upon which you could sharpen your skills. I'm still responsible, can be trusted to work alone, and am free of negative "baggage" from the past, as has always been the case. But unfortunately, a physical issue has left me not as agile as I once was, which makes an indoor work environment more of a plus.

I research the employment sites on a regular basis, but most of what turns up is full-time, and regular "day watch". One promising opportunity not too far back in the days when I was still a full-time employee quickly turned sour when an involuntary transfer to a 9-to-5 environment led to something not unlike the thinly-veiled secretarial / "guy Friday" work that more and more of us are conditioned to shun, and under a supervisor who made it clear he loved to flaunt his authority.

So I'm looking for any advice that can be offered with regard to combing a large number of prospects, but very few attractive situations.