Cafeteria Manager Kathy Cale, left, and Substitute Cook Elizabeth Dye, right, prepare lunches on the first day of classes at Fairplains Elementary School. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Wood County Schools will hold a job fair for open positions within the school district from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna.

“We’re going to try to, for the first time ever, have a job fair specifically for Wood County Schools,” Superintendent Christie Willis said. “We’re still in need of several positions across our county.”

Willis said the school district was in need of custodians, aides, bus drivers, nurses and more.

She said there would be different stations set up for those interested in working for Wood County Schools to learn about the needed positions, begin the application process for professional and service personnel jobs and even get help receiving their GED.

“We’re going to have someone there from Adult Basic Ed, so if you’d like to get your GED, also stop by, because you have to have your high school diploma to apply with us,” Willis said.

Wood County bus driver Chris Dellinger waits for his bus to fill up after school is dismissed. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

She said the director of child nutrition would be on hand to speak with potential cooks, the director of transportation would also be available to speak to and there would even be a school bus on site for people to take a tour of.

“So if somebody is interested in driving a school bus, and would like to see inside of what one would look like, they’re welcome to take a tour,” Willis said.

She said they are also looking for part-time and substitute employees for those who may only have a day or two to offer. Substitute positions are available for all departments and even those interested in full-time employment are encouraged to apply to be a substitute. Substitute positions provide schedule flexibility and the opportunity to experience different jobs throughout the county, and substitute positions may lead to full-time jobs with Wood County Schools.

“Even if you don’t want to be available five days a week, if you could help us out two or three days, we will gladly take you,” Willis said.

She said individuals should bring a list of three references with email addresses with them to help the process. She said this was an exciting time for the community.

Melinda Hewitt, a custodian at Jefferson Elementary, gathers up some trash as the school day draws to a close. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“We really do need people, and we need people in our community to help us,” Willis said. “Because our school system is critical in this area for our businesses, for our families to have, and we want to make sure that we’re meeting the needs of everyone. And in order to do that, we do need people here to come and help us.”

For more information on available jobs at Wood County Schools, visit www.woodcountyschoolswv.com and click Careers.