Published: August 19, 2008 01:19 am      

Governor’s Job Fair Wednesday

Focus on career in government

FAIRMONT — The state is encouraging qualified job seekers to consider West Virginia government as a career path.

The Governor’s Job Fair, open to the public, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the “Woody” Williams Armory at 1516 Mary Lou Retton Drive in Fairmont.

Diane Holley, communication director of the West Virginia Department of Administration, said this is the first of six job fairs throughout the state. Gov. Joe Manchin is expected to make an appearance at the Fairmont event.

The dates for the upcoming fairs in Wheeling, Martinsburg, Elkins, Huntington and Bluefield haven’t been confirmed yet.

The goal is to focus on areas where state government has vacancies. Holley said there isn’t a shortage of workers in state government, but certain areas have critical need positions to fill.

In the Fairmont area, the state is especially looking for nurses, health care workers, correctional officers and engineers, she said.

“We’re spotlighting those careers, but also we’ve got over 1,100 classifications in state government,” Holley said. “There’s basically a job for anyone in state government, so we’re trying to get everyone interested.”

“We’re trying to build our application pool for all positions in state government. It’s good to enhance that pool of applicants for the state agencies to choose from.”

She said all the state departments — including at least 20 different agencies under those departments — will be represented at the fair. Not only can individuals find out about job openings, but they can also learn what the various state departments do.

The Division of Personnel will be there to answer general questions about state government. People can submit applications online at the job fair, and some agencies will conduct on-site interviews and testing, Holley said.

“We’re trying to make this a one-stop process,” she said.

Holley urged people to come equipped with their resumes, identification, and anything else they would need for a job interview.

“State government ... we’re located throughout the state and we have a wonderful benefits package that I think is very enticing to individuals looking for a job,” she said.

WORKFORCE West Virginia will have a table at the fair and will assist the Division of Personnel with its needs.

“We really are playing a supplementary role,” Mary Spellman, employment programs office manager for the Fairmont WORKFORCE West Virginia Center, said.

At the fair, people can register with WORKFORCE to become enrolled in its systems. WORKFORCE can provide information on the local job market and nonstate positions in the region, she said.

Spellman said persons can explore opportunities that are available in state government, and they can also start their search with WORKFORCE.

For more information on the Governor’s Job Fair, call the Division of Personnel at 558-3950 ext. 57207 or visit www.state.wv.us/admin/personnel.

E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timeswv.com.