Boise School District
FAQ

(Our Substitute FAQ is located on another page)

Where can I find out about job openings?

Our jobs are posted at all school buildings, at the office of Employment & Benefits, on the District job line—208-854-4130—and on the District website, www.boiseschools.org, under Job Vacancies.

What positions require a classified application?

Classified applications are used for classroom assistants, clerical positions, Food & Nutrition Services, Just for Kids positions, and custodial positions.

What positions require a certified application?

Certified applications are used for all teaching positions, including school nurses, counselors, and consulting teachers.

What positions require an administrative application?

Administrative applications are used for principals, intern principals, assistant principals, and administrative coordinator positions.

How can I obtain an application?

Applications are available at the office of Employment & Benefits, or you can complete an online application. If you complete the online application, press enter on the submit button at the very end of the form and the application will be directed to our office. Additional information such as résumés and cover letters can be submitted as an email, as a Word attachment to an email document, or through the mail. Our address is District Services Center, Boise School District, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, ID 83709.

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What are my chances of employment with Boise schools?

The odds for available teaching positions vary from one subject to another. Our greatest areas of need are chemistry, physics, math, speech pathology, special education (especially behaviorally disordered, multi-handicapped, and early childhood special education), world languages, and technology education.

The writing sample on the certified or administrative application does not seem to apply to the position I am interested in. Do I need to complete it?

The application is a generic application for all certified or administrative positions. All applicants must complete the question.

If I only took a few classes at a college, do I need to turn in transcripts for that school?

Yes, you should turn in transcripts for every college attended, undergraduate and postgraduate. If you are hired, your salary is based on the number of credits you have obtained after your degree. In general, those credits that can be counted are those taken after initial teaching certification is obtained, and which are in your major/minor field, the field of education, and/or in an approved graduate program.

Do the transcripts have to be official?

No, you do not need original transcripts in order to be considered for positions, but you must have original transcripts available to turn in prior to signing a contract.

What is a placement or credential file?

A placement or credential file is created by many colleges to help student teachers acquire the references they need. As you complete your student teaching, evaluations are placed in the placement file. Once you have concluded your program, request that the file be sent to the office of Employment & Benefits.

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What if I do not have a placement file?

If you are an experienced teacher, an administrator, or do not have a placement file, the alternative is to send in three current letters of recommendation. Ideally these should be from supervisors who can describe your work. The letters should be on district letterhead paper and signed with a signature.

May I remove recommendation letters from my applicant file after they have been submitted?

All letters submitted as recommendations are considered confidential, so cannot be returned to the applicant.

What if I do not have current Idaho certification?

To be employed in a certified position by the Boise School District you must obtain Idaho certification prior to signing a contract.

Where do I apply for an Idaho teaching certificate?

Contact the State Department of Education, Certification Office, Len B. Jordan Bldg., 650 W. State St., P.O. Box 83720-0027; 208-332-6800. Their website is www.sde.state.id.us/certification.

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What if I do not have a certificate because I just graduated or live in another state?

If you are interested in working for the Boise School District you should begin the process of getting certified in Idaho as soon as you submit your certified application. You must have an Idaho teaching credential prior to signing your contract. When you submit your application, indicate whether you have applied to the State Department of Education for certification.

I haven’t been hired with the Boise District but I’m in the process of completing my certification with the State Department of Education and need to be fingerprinted. Will the Boise School District fingerprint me?

No. We only fingerprint for employment purposes. You can have your fingerprints processed at The State of Idaho Department of Law Enforcement, Bureau of Criminal Identification, 700 Stratford, Meridian, ID 83642. Phone: 884-7130. They are open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. No appointment is required. They charge a $5.00 fee for the procedure and give the card back to you for delivery to the State Department.

I’ve been hired with the Boise District and I’m in the process of completing my certification with the State Department of Education and need to be fingerprinted. Will the Boise School District fingerprint me?

Yes. We can fingerprint you; however, the State Department strongly recommends that you hand deliver the printed cards to them with your certification paperwork rather than having the Boise School District process them. This will eliminate any delay in your certification processing. You will be required to pay the processing fee to the State Department.

How long will you keep my transcripts and letters of reference on file?

If you submit transcripts, a placement file, or letters of recommendation without an application, they will be kept on file for two months before they are shredded. Your application itself will remain active until the end of the year in which it is submitted.

When is my certified or administrative applicant file complete? How will I be informed?

Your certified or administrative applicant file is complete when you have turned in 1.) the application and writing sample, 2.) all your transcripts, and 3.) either a placement file or three current letters of recommendation. Once the file is complete we will call you to schedule a screening interview. You cannot be considered for job vacancies until you have been screened. Note: There are no screening interviews for administrative positions; candidates will be called in for interviews based on their applications.

How do I apply for a specific administrative job vacancy?

To express interest in an administrative position currently being advertised, send a letter of interest to Maria Rella at or mail it to the office of Employment & Benefits.

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What is involved in the screening interview?

A specialist in your subject area will screen you. The interview includes questions about your knowledge of your subject, your philosophy of education, and some examples of how you would teach a lesson.

If I live out of state, how is a screening interview coordinated?

Screening interviews can be conducted over the phone. The applicant will initiate the call at the scheduled time.

How soon can I get my screening interview after I have applied?

We try to schedule interviews within two weeks after your application file is complete; however, during peak times in May and June it may take longer. We encourage you to make application early in the spring.

Once I have been screened, what happens to my applicant file?

After you have been screened your information is entered into our database. Your screening data is used to identify applicants for advertised positions. For each opening a manifest, or list of applicants, is created. This list is sent to the principal, who will contact those applicants for job interviews.

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Is there anything I can do to increase my chances, such as visit the principals of schools I am interested in?

We do not recommend going directly to the principals due to their heavy workloads during this time. Keep in mind, not every advertised position will be filled with outside applicants; an in-district transfer may be made to fill the position.

What happens if I do get an interview for a certified position?

The principal will select a candidate from the applicants on the manifest. Then the Area Director of that school area will review the candidates for that position, and, if approved, the principal will offer the finalist the position.

What happens when I am offered a certified position?

When you are hired you will need to submit original transcripts from each school you have attended. We will need verification of previous employment. This information is used to calculate your salary. We will also need an Idaho credential. When your contract is ready a representative will make an appointment with you to get it signed. At that time you will also be scheduled to attend a benefits informational meeting to sign up for the comprehensive benefits plan.

How long will my certified application remain on file?

Your application will remain active until the end of the calendar year.

Do I have to submit a classified application for every classified position for which I apply? Can I just write down several announcement numbers on one application?

All positions require a classified application. You are welcome to complete the classified application just once and make copies of it—changing the announcement number and title. We do not need an original application.

May I submit a résumé without an application?

No, we accept applications only for positions that are currently being advertised, and the application must be submitted for the position in which you are interested. A résumé may accompany the application.

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What happens to my classified application after I apply?

Applications are filed until the closing date of the position. After that time, a paper screening is done, and the most qualified candidates are selected for a manifest, or list of applicants, which is given to the principal. These candidates are called in for interviews.

Should I call the principal or the office of Employment & Benefits to check on my classified application?

No. Your application will be considered without further work on your part.

If I do get an interview for a classified position, how soon will I know if I am hired?

This all depends on the principal’s schedule. During the school year positions are typically filled right away; during the summer there may be a lag time between when you submit your application and when you are hired. You will hear, either way.

What happens after I am hired for a classified position?

After you are hired you will be called in to the office of Employment & Benefits. There you will be fingerprinted, receive a photo ID, and attend the benefits informational meeting to enroll in the comprehensive benefits plan.

Am I required to be fingerprinted if I am hired for a classified position?

Yes, a law was passed in 1996 requiring that anyone employed with an Idaho school district must have a fingerprint background check completed. There is no charge for fingerprinting. Exceptions: PE Officials, High School students, and people under the age of 18 are not required to fingerprint.

(Our Substitute FAQ is located on another page)

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Employment & Application Center

8169 W. Victory Rd.
Boise, Idaho 83709
Phone ~ (208) 854-4074
Fax ~ (208) 854-4010
Job Line ~ (208) 854-4130

Apples


The Boise Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer/educator.
Applications from all qualified individuals are considered.

Boise School District
8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, ID 83709
© Independent School District of Boise City
All rights reserved