’Tis the season for hiring at federal prison
By CHARLES OWENS
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
December 12, 2009 08:45 pm
— WELCH — Another round of job interviews could begin before Christmas for the new federal prison project in McDowell County.
The warden for the new $249 million Federal Correctional Institution McDowell facility went on payroll just this past week, and will be housed at the Economic Development Office in Welch, Cathi Litcher, activation coordinator for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, said.
Litcher said construction on the federal prison is winding down. The project is located near the mountainous border of McDowell and Wyoming counties at the Indian Ridge Industrial Park. The facility should be turned over to the Federal Bureau of Prisons by March.
In addition to Warden Kenny Cauley, 14 other staff members have been selected for the Welch facility who are currently stationed at various operating institutions throughout the Federal Bureau of Prison’s Mid-Atlantic Region.
Litcher said another 27 positions have been recently closed or will soon be closed on the www.usajobs.gov website where all of the federal prison positions are being announced. Litcher said of the next 27 positions to be filled, 14 will be available for prospective qualified applicants who don’t currently work with the agency. Litcher said the Federal Bureau of Prisons is hoping to begin many of the interviews before Christmas. However, actual hiring dates for the new staff won’t be given until the fiscal year 2010 federal budget passes.
The federal facility will ultimately employ between 320 to 340 people. Recent job seminars have attracted large crowds from McDowell, Wyoming and Mercer counties.
"I credit the West Virginia Talent Team Recruitment Partnership and their continual education of the local community about the Bureau of Prisons' job opportunities for the high number of applicants from the local commuting area,” Litcher said. “It is evident there is a sincere passion and enthusiasm for this project to be a success and positive economic impact on southern West Virginia."
Litcher said local partners continue to assist with the job hiring process.
"This type of success couldn't be realized without the continued support of WORKFORCE West Virginia and the Southern West Virginia educational system which includes county superintendents and college and university partners,” Litcher said.
– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com
