By: Lydia Crawley, The Parsons Advocate
“Go directly to the places I mention and you’d have a heck of a chance of getting a job,” Tucker County Commissioner Fred Davis said.
From the Tucker County School District to State Parks, union positions and more, Tucker County Commissioner Fred Davis has been helping Tucker County residents find jobs since he first was elected to office six years ago. While most of the better paying jobs in the area may require around an hour’s drive, they exist and are plentiful, according to Davis.
“If anyone does not have a job now, its their own fault,” Davis said. “There are jobs out there and I’m talking 30 to 46 dollar an hour jobs.”
While the best paying jobs are not factory jobs in Tucker County, locals can still find employment in the area within driving distance, Davis said. Many of the best paying jobs are union based, Davis said. These jobs would require job seekers to enquire at Union Halls in Morgantown or Petersburg.
“These are union jobs where they can work and make good money and they have benefits with these jobs,” Davis said. “And there are a lot of them that work out at Mt. Storm and the Clarksburg area and ain’t far for people to drive for that kind of money.”
Davis also said opportunities area available at Mt. Storm. Jobs are available at the Power Plant with the contractors that will last for about three years. Boilermakers are also being hired at the Mt. Storm Power Plant currently. Other positions are also available, according to Davis.
The area is also has opportunities in renewable energy, Davis said. Windmill positions are also available starting at $25 an hour, once construction of the new windmills begin in the area. There is also going to be a future solar farm project that will hiring union workers, according to Davis.
For most of the positions listed in the above paragraphs, Davis said the best advise is to talk to the Union Hall in Petersburg or to him directly for more information.
Jobs also exist within the County, as well, Davis said. The Tucker County School District offer janitorial staff and cooks benefits and retirement, along with the added benefit of being within the community. The schools will be hiring cooks, aides and more on a regular basis, with few to no applicants, Davis said. Current positions with the district can be found on the district’s website.
“People don’t always realize it, but they are good jobs,” Davis said.
The Cortland Acres Nursing facility has job opportunities, as well, Davis said. The facility is in constant need of staff, according the Davis, in all capacities.
“All the State Parks are hiring, but they don’t pay as good as these other jobs,” Davis said. “At least its a job for somebody that wants a job close to home. The parks are always hiring.”
For teens or college students, Davis recommends getting a Lifeguard Certification. The YMCA in Elkins offers certification courses. Many of the State Parks are always in need of Lifeguards, according to Davis.
“That’s a good job for a high school student or a college student who wants to stick around for a summer,” Davis said.
Davis said if any job seekers are having issues finding jobs in the area, they can reach out to him and he would be happy to assist them. Davis said the best way to contact him would be to message him on Facebook.
For more information on local unions:
Parkersburg:
Laborer’s International Union of North America Local 1085
3205 Dudley Ave
Parkersburg, WV 26104
304-485-6357
http://local1085.org
IBEW 986
1845 7th Street
Parkersburg, WV 26101
304-485-7412
https://www.wvtrades.org/program/ibew-968/
Pipefitters Local 565
593 Cedar Grove Rd
Parkersburg, WV 26104
304-485-5202
https://ualocal565.org
Ironworkers 787
303 Erickson Blvd
Parkersburg, WV 26101
304-485-6231
https://www.ironworkers787.org
Millwrights Local 443
4600 Camden Ave
Parkersburg, WV 26101
304-422-1593
https://millwrightlocal443.org
Sheet Metal Worker’s Local 33
301 Erickson Blvd
Parkersburg, WV 26101
304-428-0882
https://smwlu33.org
Parkersburg Area Labor Council AFL-CIO
P.O. Box 102
Parkersburg, WV 26102
https://unionhall.aflcio.org/pkblaborcouncil
Morgantown:
Laborers Local Union 379
2161 Dents Run Blvd
Morgantown, WV 26501
304-296-4631
https://wvldc.org
LiUNA Local 814
3366 Collins Ferry Rd
Morgantown, WV 26505
304-598-1170
https://www.liunalocal814.com
Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 152
100 Richard Ave
Morgantown, WV 26501
304-292-8818
https://local152.com.
