The unemployment rate for the Phoenix metro area still hovers stubbornly near eight percent. But for local job-seekers, help is on the way.
The Kyrene School District will host a part-time job fair on Wednesday, May 29 from 3 to 6 p.m. at 8700 S. Kyrene Road, which is the main office for the district.
Currently, the Kyrene District is advertising available positions in their 19 elementary schools and six middle schools, which include locations in Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe.
According to Jennifer Wetzel, Program Manager in Community Education and Outreach Services for Kyrene, the district provides a positive working environment where employees can gain valuable experience, along with the following benefits:
• Paid training,
• no weekends or holidays,
• flexible hours,
• and experience working with children.
“The job fair is designed to increase awareness of Kyrene as a major employer in Ahwatukee, Chandler and Tempe,” said Wetzel, who is organizing the event.
“We have many opportunities for people to work within our district, either directly with
students or in providing services that impact students and our community.”
Since the district is nearly ready to break for the summer, it may seem like an unexpected time to sponsor a school-related job fair, but, the Kyrene staff has to closely review each applicant who will be working directly with children, explains Wetzel.
“Due to the extensive background check we require before hiring applicants, we wanted to
start the interviewing process now so we can have positions filled prior to the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year.
And, since we have so many opportunities — and some people may be interested in working for more than one department — we thought we would get everyone together to make the process easier for interested candidates.”
The available jobs can be found in many different departments, said Wetzel.
“For example, transportation is actually hiring for both part-time and full-time bus drivers; the Human Resources department is looking for substitutes for both certified and support positions, which have very flexible schedules; Community Ed is looking to hire up to 50 candidates for our out-of-school time programs; and, our schools are also hiring for lunch duty and crossing guards.”
More information about each position and applications can be found on-line at www.kyrene.org
“We are hopeful that we have a large turn out and have an excited group of new
employees at the beginning of the school year,” said Wetzel.
Former student is now an employee
For Mariel Gandara working for the Kyrene School District is coming full circle.
As an elementary- aged student, she attended the “Kids Club” at Kyrene del Sureno Elementary School in Chandler from kindergarten through third grade. Last year, she graduated from Corona del Sol High School in Tempe.
She currently attends classes at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College and is majoring in elementary education, but is considering switching to nursing. Gardara also is a a part-time Kyrene employee at Kyrene de los Ninos. In her position, Gandara enjoys the one-on-one interaction with students.
“I have a small group of students, so I really get to know each one of my kids individually. I just love being able to do so many different crafts and science experiments with them. The best part of my job is that I get to work and play with kids and be a kid at the same time,” said Gandara.
“I also like to be able to speak my native language, Spanish, and help the kids to practice their Spanish outside of the classroom of Ninos Elementary, which has a Dual-Language Academy program.”
