BPS OHR Frequently Asked Employment Questions

FAQs

Applying to Positions

1. What is required to become a teacher in the Boston Public Schools?

Bachelor's Degree
Massachusetts Teachers License

Licensure regulations are listed on the Department of Education's website at www.doe.mass.edu/educators. All candidates for licensure must pass the state's two-part Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). The test is only offered five times a year. It is recommended that candidates take the test as soon as possible. For more information on the MTEL, visit www.doe.mass.edu/mtel or call 413-256-2892.
BPS offers an alternative route to certification through the Boston Teacher Residency program.

2. How do I apply for positions in the Boston Public Schools?: All positions: If you are interested in becoming employed within the BPS, you should complete your candidate profile on the BPS Career Center.

Teaching: Teaching vacancies are generally posted on the BPS Career Center beginning in February for the following school year. Please apply to specific positions in the Career Center (see Application Instructions). A profile is considered complete when it contains:

- a valid email address
- completed sections concerning qualifications and licensure

Throughout the year, the BPS Recruiting Team will select teacher candidates who have completed their profile on the BPS Career Center for preliminary "screening" interviews. The recruiters will make recommendations to Principals/Headmasters based on the results of the screening interviews (see Application Instructions).
3. Should I apply for specific positions?: Yes!! Creating a candidate profile on the BPS Career Center is not sufficient to apply for the over 800 jobs posted yearly at BPS.
4. How do I become a substitute teacher?: Please see Substitute Teaching.
5. What happens to my Boston Public Schools Application for Employment once I submit it online?: Your online application is available for review by the school or hiring department listed in the posting. The school or hiring department will review your background and qualifications and will contact you for an interview if an appropriate match is identified. Every applicant will be notified of his/her status via email.
6. I applied for a position through the online BPS Career Center. When will I hear back?: The principals and/or the relevant hiring manager or department head will review your application, and then invite candidates to interview.

Additionally, you may be contacted by a member of the BPS Recruiting Team only if you have been selected for a preliminary screening interview with the Office of Human Resources.
7. Can an application be mailed to me?: Boston Public Schools no longer accepts paper applications.

Please apply through the online BPS Career Center. If you need assistance in completing an online application, you can come to
Boston Public Schools Office of Human Resources
26 Court Street., 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02108 (see map and directions)
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
8. I live in another country. Can I apply for teaching positions in the Boston Public Schools?: Candidates must have authorization to work in the U.S. to be employed in the BPS. Authorization is usually granted through an H1B Visa. Teachers in shortage areas may be considered upon application. Current H1B Visa holders may transfer to positions within the Boston Public Schools.
9. If a job was posted a few months ago and remains on the website, is it really still open?: Yes, however someone may be already considered for the position. We update the BPS Career Center every day as positions are created and filled. Please be aware that some jobs take longer to fill than others and thus are open for a longer period of time.
Futher career resources

10. Is there someone I can call to follow up with regarding my interest in BPS?: Teacher and principal candidates may contact the Recruiting Team. Other candidates should directly contact the school or hiring department for the specific position to which they have applied.
11. May I contact the school or hiring department to find out more about the job?: Yes. There is a list of schools and contact information in the Schools link at the top of the page.

12. What kind of recruitment events can I participate in?: The BPS Recruiting Team attends local and national career fairs and recruitment events for educators, and participates in on-campus recruiting at many colleges, universities and professional organizations. The Boston Public Schools also hosts several recruitment fairs and interview sessions for teaching candidates throughout the year. These events are an opportunity to have a screening interview with a Principal/Headmaster, a school administrator, or an HR staff member. These interviews are by appointment only; participants will be afforded these opportunities via email.
13. What kinds of benefits do teachers receive?

Salary: The highest salary in any urban district nationwide
Medical and Life Insurance: Benefits are provided by the City of Boston, through its Health Benefits and Insurance Division. New Teachers have 60 calendar days from their first day of service to register for these benefits.
Dental and Vision Insurance: Through the Boston Teachers Union Health and Welfare Fund
Legal Services
Home buying assistance

14. What kind of mentoring and professional development programs does BPS offer to teachers?

Boston Public Schools provides New Teacher Developers for all beginning teachers in their first year of teaching. These developers orient new teachers to the expectations and standards of the Boston Public Schools district and its schools, assist teachers to develop classroom rules and routines, to set up the classroom and to plan lessons, and work with teachers to develop and implement Professional Growth Plans.

Support is also provided through the Collaborative Coaching and Learning (CCL) Program, which allows teachers opportunities to engage in reflection and inquiry, participate in classroom laboratory experiences, receive feedback, grow knowledge and understand theory. Additionally, the district provides a comprehensive program of professional development workshops for new teachers prior to and during each school year. For more information, contact the New Teacher Support Team.

15. How can I volunteer in the Boston Public Schools?

Please contact the Boston Partners in Education, Inc.

16. What documents will I need for Human Resources after I get a job offer?

Please view our New Employee section for information about the documents we will need from you, depending on the position you receive. At a minimum, each employee will need:

Employment Eligibility Verification (driver's license, passport)
Be clear of criminal and sexual offenses
Tax withholding forms (W-4, M4)
Social Security card for verifying Name and Number for tax purposes

17. I'm certified in another state. Does my state have reciprocity with Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has reciprocity with many states. Candidates applying for MA licensure through reciprocity must submit documentation, either on the transcript or in an official letter, validating completion of a state approved program. In lieu of this, candidates may submit a copy of the out-of-state license along with a letter verifying three years of teaching experience under that license. All candidates must also take and pass the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). For more information on the MTEL, visit www.doe.mass.edu/mtel or call 413-256-2892.

License and Salary Information

18. I've been teaching in another district/state for two years. Where will I be placed on the salary schedule?

The Office of Human Resources must follow all appropriate contract language when making a determination of placement on the salary schedule.

Teachers are entitled to receive salary credit for up to three years of teaching experience outside the Boston system. The service must have been under contract, full-time (not substitute), and for 160 days or more in the given school year(s). Teachers must have taught under a Massachusetts Teacher License or equivalent. Specifically, in the above example, the teacher would be given credit for the two years if properly documented, and placed on step three of the salary schedule, in the appropriate degree column.

Education level also impacts placement on the salary schedule. Upon hire, candidates will need to provide documentation, on district letterhead, of years and scope of service, as well as official transcripts. Salary schedules and other contract information are available at http://www.btu.org/

19. I've been a Boston Public Schools substitute teacher/paraprofessional for five years and am looking for a full-time teaching position. Where will I be placed on the salary schedule?

Teachers who were substitutes for BPS are eligible for up to three years' credit for service, provided they worked at least 120 days in each year. Teachers who were paraprofessionals can get salary credit for time worked as a paraprofessional on a 1 to 3 basis, that is, one year of teacher salary credit for every three years worked as a paraprofessional.

Thanks for your help, but what if I still have questions?

If you have additional questions or feedback, please contact us at humanresources@boston.k12.ma.us.

FAQs

Applying to Positions

Further career resources

License and Salary Information

Applying to Positions

Futher career resources

License and Salary Information