Teacher Hiring Process
Jump to: Job Posting | Documentation | Apply | Curriculum Interview | School Administration Interview | Offer | Background Checks | Contact
Interested in becoming an HCPSS teacher? You’ve come to the right place!
On this page, you’ll find details about HCPSS’ teacher application process. Additional information is available in the HCPSS guide for internal and external applicants.
- HCPSS continually accepts applications for teaching positions. However, the majority of teacher hiring at HCPSS occurs between June-August, after HCPSS’ operating budget has been finalized.
- HCPSS fills vacant teacher positions first with existing staff who need to be placed into a position due to surplus and those returning from a leave of absence. External applicants are eligible to be considered at the same time as internal employees who have requested voluntary transfers for remaining positions.
- Principals will begin organizing school-based interviews in June for teaching positions they are looking to fill for the following school year.
Step 1 – Review the job posting.
Before you begin your application, be sure to review the posting for the teaching position in which you are interested. Confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications; have familiarized yourself with the essential position responsibilities, skills, and abilities; and take note of the application requirements.
Not yet a licensed teacher? Individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree but have not yet completed coursework and/or assessments to meet professional licensure requirements may be eligible for a conditional license. Inquire about whether you are a candidate for a conditional license.
Step 2 – Gather your application materials.
Once you have read through the job posting and verified that you meet the minimum requirements for the teaching position for which you want to apply, gather the following materials:
- Your teaching license and certificate(s)
- These can be valid or expired and can be issued by the Maryland State Department of Education or out of state
- This can include your National Board Certification (or any additional certifications you possess)
- Your unofficial transcripts and the degree you received
- Be sure to include a foreign transcript evaluation if you obtained your degree outside of the United States.
- You may include letter from your university you have not yet completed your degree (this applies to current teacher interns)
- Test scores (Praxis, etc)
Step 3 – Complete an online application.
Be sure to complete all parts of the application, including any supplemental questions noted in the job posting. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
You cannot make changes once your application has been submitted; however, you can withdraw your application and apply again if the position is still posted.
Approximately 1 week after you submit your application, your application will be screened by the recruiter and employee credentialing team. Your application status in Workday will be updated if you are selected to advance in the hiring process.
Step 4 – Participate in a curriculum interview.
- K-12 related arts (PE, art, music, instructional technology, library media)
- Secondary general education teachers
- Conditional special education teachers
- Related service providers
- School counselors
- English Language Development teachers
- Reading specialists
During the curriculum interview, you will meet with a representative(s) of the content team from the area to which you are applying and be asked about your content knowledge.
Your application status in Workday will be updated following your curriculum interview as soon as the results are reviewed by the recruiter. If you are selected to advance in the application process, you will be placed in our teacher candidate pool, meaning your materials will be visible to all school administrators with vacancies or anticipated vacancies in that area. School-based administrators interested in meeting with you will contact you to set up an interview at the school.
Step 5 – Interview with school administration.
This school-based interview may be a one-on-one interview, a small group, or a structured panel interview. You will be provided with information about what to expect when you are contacted to set up this interview. Depending on the school, this interview may be held in person or virtually.
Step 6 – Review and respond to your employment offer.
Offers will be communicated via Workday.
Step 7 – Complete a background check and pre-hire tasks.
After accepting an offer, you will need to complete the MD486 background check process (if you are an external candidate) and pre-hire tasks, including fingerprinting and I-9 Employment Verification before being cleared to work.
Contact
For more information about the hiring process for a particular teacher position, contact the recruitment specialist referenced in the job posting for that position. General Human Resources questions can be directed humanresources@hcpss.org.