Joint Initiative Unveiled by Homeland Security, Marshall University

February 12, 2023

Mountaineer News

WV Business News

Marshall University President Brad Smith with the West Virginia Fusion Center staff. A new partnership provides selected Marshall University students with an hourly rate of pay of $16 and flexible hours and the ability to work full-time during breaks and summers. (Submitted photo)

CHARLESTON, WV - The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and Marshall University have teamed up to launch a program that will put Marshall students to work in agencies of the department.

According to Homeland Security Secretary Jeff Sandy, the program provides an opportunity for cooperative synergy.

“We are excited to announce, here at the Fusion Center where we have many Marshall graduates working, that we are collaborating to provide eligible students with hands-on, paid learning opportunities while also filling open positions across our department,” Sandy said.

“Working under the leadership of Gov. Jim Justice and working in concert with (Marshall President Brad D. Smith) we have developed an innovative program to place students into jobs and hopefully create career pathways to keep them here after graduation.”

The partnership provides selected Marshall University students with an hourly pay rate of $16, including flexible hours and the ability to work full-time during school breaks and summer vacations.

Available positions include human resources, purchasing, case manager, counselor, GIS technician, emergency services specialist, data analyst, public relations and fleet management.

“I want to thank Secretary Sandy for this innovative partnership and shared commitment to advancing amazing opportunities for both our students and our state,” Smith said.

“This shared vision is a win-win for West Virginia, a win for Marshall to place our students into real-life jobs that could possibly turn into life-long careers and a win for our state to get talent into open positions,” he said.

Marshall University students majoring in a variety of fields including accounting, criminal justice, cyber forensics and security, digital forensics, economics, engineering, finance, forensic analytical chemistry, general business, geographic information science, health and wellness, information systems, journalism, law enforcement, marketing, medical imaging, military science, nursing, psychology, public communications, public relations, social work, sociology, special education, statistics, thermodynamics and web development are welcome to apply.

The Department of Homeland Security comprises multiple agencies. Participating in the joint partnership are the Division of Administrative Services, the Fusion Center, Division of Emergency Management, Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the State Fire Marshal.

Students who are accepted into the program will have the opportunity to work in asset and fleet management, fiscal operations, correctional officers, case managers and counselors, Emergency Services specialist, Homeland Security training and exercise coordinator, assistant fire marshal intern, office assistant intern, regulatory and licensing intern, public information intern, and data analyst intern, among other positions.