JCPS job fair provides applicants valuable opportunities for employment

Submitted by Johnston County public Schools

SMITHFIELD — Recently, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) Human Resources Department held its annual job fair at Smithfield-Selma High. The event welcomed nearly 150 hundred people from as close as Johnston County and as far away as South Carolina looking to become a part of JCPS.

School administrators from all 48 schools and various central office departments were on hand to greet candidates face-to-face and tell them about their particular school or facility, its openings and answer questions. The job fair provided an opportunity for prospective JCPS team members to truly get a sense of each school individually, and the school district as a whole. Even though the fair advertised to attract applicants in search of teaching positions, school administrators also met with job seekers interested in classified and administrative positions.

Of the nearly 150 attendees, 10 people signed certified early contracts for the 2024-2025 school year, bringing the total of early contracts to 25 thus far this hiring season.

For Jayden Council, the job fair was on his calendar as soon as it was advertised.

A senior at Triton High School, he plans on becoming an educator, and more specifically an educator with JCPS because of the district initiatives being

put in place. “We should have more people joining Johnston County Public Schools to start their careers,” he said.

Council got his foot in the door and signed on as a teacher assistant. In doing so, he will earn classroom instructional hours necessary for a degree in education.

Already a big fan of JCPS, the fair increased his excitement about joining the team once he met administrators. “The principals here are amazing,” he said.

"We are very excited and appreciative of the many candidates that attended our JCPS Job Fair on Saturday, “ said Interim Chief of Human Resources Linda Edmundson. “We are looking forward to many of these candidates joining our district and collaborating together to create long lasting working relationships that prioritize Johnston County Public Schools' goal of high student achievement."

Recently touted as one of the fastest growing school districts in North Carolina, JCPS has developed several initiatives to attract and retain the best and brightest educators. JCPS is planning future events ahead of the 2024-2025 school year.

Candidates interested in joining the JCPS team, go to https://www.johnston. k12.nc.us/hr for a list of job openings.