McDowell Schools Seeks Substitute Aides, Testing Held Last Week

McDowell County Schools is recruiting on call substitute aides to provide instructional support across the county, a posting the district issued on December 5, 2025. Candidates must hold a high school diploma or GED, have First Aid and CPR certification or be able to obtain it, be available for bus runs that cover the county, and pass the district competency test and required background checks. The district held the competency testing on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 12 00 p.m. at the Board Office, 900 Mt. View Road, Welch. The job posting remains valid through December 12, 2025 and pay is set according to the county pay scale.

The substitute aide role carries clear public health and safety responsibilities. First Aid and CPR training equips staff to respond to medical emergencies in classrooms and on buses, where long ride times in a rural county can increase the likelihood of incidents. Background checks aim to protect children in classrooms that often serve students with complex health and learning needs. Staffing substitutes on an as needed basis helps schools maintain continuity of care when regular staff are absent, a key factor for both educational outcomes and student wellbeing.

For the community the opening is significant on several fronts. It offers immediate employment accessible to residents with a high school credential, while also highlighting structural challenges in rural school staffing. The requirement to obtain certifications may pose a barrier for some applicants if training costs and access are not provided, and the need for countywide bus availability underscores the transportation and time burdens local workers face. These realities intersect with broader issues of equity, as stable, local school employment can provide entry level pathways to economic stability in a county with limited job options.

Residents interested in applying or confirming next steps can visit the Board Office at 900 Mt. View Road in Welch during business hours before the posting closes on December 12, 2025. The position offers a way for community members to support students directly while addressing immediate staffing needs in McDowell County schools.