Buses head down the hill from Wheeling Park High School. (File Photo)
Ohio County Schools is seeking someone who can oversee a theater, run a soundboard and even teach two pre-engineering classes a day.
The school district has posted the position of “facilitator of county events” at the J.B. Chambers Performing Arts Center at Wheeling Park High School.
Those interested in applying have until the end of the day Thursday.
Among other things, the job involves the scheduling and setting up for events and performances, as well as the take down of sets when the show is complete. The person would be responsible for marketing the PAC to outside organizations, and providing for care and security at the facility.
Additionally, the facilitator will be involved with students. The person hired will teach two pre-engineering classes through Project Lead The Way.
“We are looking for a unicorn,” said Susan Nolte, human resources director for Ohio County Schools.
But Nolte doesn’t want prospective job candidates to be put off by the teaching requirement.
When you become a teacher in career tech education classes, you don’t have to have a teaching degree, she explained. A “Career and Technical Education Certificate” can be obtained after the person is hired.
“We have some flexibility to help,” she said. “So long as the applicant has a high school degree coupled with a lengthy resume working with technology, (a candidate) may be considered,” she said.
As an example, Nolte explained her husband, Scott Nolte, did not have a teaching degree when he was hired as a broadcasting instructor. He did, however, have an extensive background working in television.
She assisted him in getting the needed training and certification he needed after he was hired — and they later married.
“Generally for the CTE instructors there is a workshop, and there is time in the day provided if they need to take online classes,” Nolte said.
She added that recently retired event facilitator Mike Harris was originally a CTE teacher at the high school. After the PAC was opened, he was tapped to take on the additional duties.
“Because of his background knowledge, this morphed into a position he did while still teaching classes,” Nolte explained. “We hope to replace that.”
Longtime drama teacher and speech coach Bill Cornforth also retired at the end of the just past school year, and both he and Harris have committed to coming in to help out with operations of the PAC during the transition.
Nolte noted this teaching position is different from most in that the contract is not for 200 days each year, but for 230 days. This is because programs at the PAC happen during the summer and outside of the regular school year.
Job openings in Ohio County Schools have to be posted at least five days, she explained. The job was posted on July 14 and applicants have until 4 p.m. on July 20 to apply.
If no one qualified is found, the job will be reposted, Nolte said.
“Several applicants have reached out and expressed an interest,” she continued. “People will want to work here. The PAC is such a beautiful facility.”
Those interested should contact Nolte at 304-243-0322, or Principal Meredith Dailer at WPHS at 304-243-0400.
