Harrison County Board of Education looking to create two new jobs

Job openings for a career coordinator and media communications specialist could be opening up this week at Harrison County’s Board of Education.

The board has been looking seriously into these positions as the need for student support and community outreach has grown.

"We're discussing further about the possibility of having a person who is just responsible for getting information out," said Harrison County Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin. "Doing types of information and live feeds for things going on in our school system to better inform our parents and community."

The communications specialist would be a brand new addition to the staff, and is needed now as people switch to social media to get their news in, what Dr. Manchin calls, the technology age.

"We've got to change the way that we get information out through technology, social media, and people who have that background and skills who can play a very important part in our success here in Harrison County."

The career coordinator position will help guide students as young as middle school towards technical careers and interests that require less schooling.

"Start identifying certain areas that student might want to go into that don't require a college degree," said Dr. Manchin. "The sooner we can identify it then the sooner we can work with these students and get them the necessary information, curriculum, and direction."

Dr. Manchin estimates more than half of Harrison County’s current students won’t attend a four-year institution, and says they need options for good paying jobs.

"The students here in Harrison County will be able to go on and be successful in life, and directly into the world of work. Which is at the end of 12th grade, or other post-secondary education."

The BOE will vote on creating the two jobs at their meeting on September 18th. Dr. Manchin says the jobs will be posted as early as the next day if they are approved.