Substitutes

Thank you for your interest in substituting with Salem-Keizer Public Schools! Below are the steps to complete the pre-employment process to become a substitute teacher.

1. Complete an online substitute job application online 
   Submit your application through our online system.
    
2. Apply for your substitute teaching license

   Visit the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) online licensing application  to:

   • Create your user profile
   • Apply for the appropriate substitute teaching license (Not sure which license to apply for? See our License Application FAQ.)
   • Pay the required TSPC application fees
3. Complete the Substitute Information Form
   This form is required to begin the hiring process. Once you have been approved through the screening process, you will be sent the form to complete. The sooner it is completed, the sooner we can move forward and get you working.


4. District completes reference checks
   Please include accurate contact information for your current and previous supervisors in your application. Difficulty reaching references is the most common cause of hiring delays.

   
   Required information includes:

   • Current and previous supervisor email addresses and phone numbers
   • If you have limited work experience, personal references may be contacted (this may take additional time)
5. Complete onboarding materials

   You will be contacted to:

   • Provide I-9 documentation and payroll forms
   • Submit additional required HR paperwork
   • Complete fingerprinting through TSPC
6. Watch for welcome emails offering a position

   When you receive these emails, the hiring process is complete. You will then have access to Frontline and your district email account.

Thank you for your interest in substituting with Salem-Keizer Public Schools! Below are the steps to complete the pre-employment process to become a substitute teacher.

1. Complete an online substitute job application online 
   Submit your application through our online system.
    
2. Complete the Substitute Information Form
   This form is required to begin the hiring process. Once you have been approved through the screening process, you will be sent the form to complete. The sooner it is completed, the sooner we can move forward and get you working.
    
3. District completes reference checks
   Please include accurate contact information for your current and previous supervisors in your application. Difficulty reaching references is the most common cause of hiring delays.

   
   Required information includes:

   • Current and previous supervisor email addresses and phone numbers
   • If you have limited work experience, personal references may be contacted (this may take additional time)
4. Complete onboarding materials

   You will be contacted to:

   • Provide I-9 documentation and payroll forms
   • Submit additional required HR paperwork 
5. Watch for welcome emails offering a position

   When you receive these emails, the hiring process is complete. You will then have access to Frontline and your district email account.

When You Arrive for Your Substitute Assignment

• Report to the school office to sign in and record your arrival time.
• Pick up your substitute badge. Please wear it and keep it visible during your entire shift.
• If you are issued a key, return it along with your badge at the end of the day.
• When your assignment is complete, sign out on the Substitute Sign-In Report and record your departure time.

If you’re unsure whether to return the next day, please check with the administrator or office manager before leaving.

Occasionally, weather conditions may cause delayed start times or district closures.

• Tune in to local radio or TV stations or check Salem-Keizer Public Schools website for updates.
• If school is delayed, your reporting time is delayed by the same amount as the students.
  • Example: If your start time is 8 a.m. and there’s a 2-hour delay, report at 10 a.m.
• Morning preschool is canceled when schools are on a delay.

Substitutes earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, in accordance with Oregon Sick Time law. 

Key Points

• Sick time will appear after you have worked at least 30 hours.
  • Example: If you work 25 hours one month and 5 hours the next, you will see 1 hour of sick time added.
• Sick time is credited in whole hours only (no partial hours).
• Substitutes may carry up to 80 hours of paid sick time.
• Sick time can only be used on school days during the academic calendar.

How to Request Paid Sick Time

1. Complete the Payroll Timesheet (Form PAY-F026)  located under QAM  on the district website.
2. Use Pay Code 334 and list the date(s) and time(s) you’re claiming.
3. Submit the completed form to the Substitute Office by the 15th of the month for the current pay period.

Questions About Sick Leave?

Call the Substitute Office at 503-399-3295.

At-A-Glance Information

• The pay period runs from 16th of the month through the 15th of the following month.
• Payday falls on the last business day of the month.
• You are eligible to participate in 403(b) and 457(b) salary deferral programs.
• You can review your pay using your Personal Pay Record.

Payment Options

• Direct deposit or pay card – Earnings statements are emailed to your district account.
• Paper check – If you do not use direct deposit or a pay card, your check will be mailed from the Payroll Office.

Pay Card Information

• The Pay Card is a reloadable VISA debit card issued through a partnering bank. It replaces paper checks and is loaded with your pay each payday. You can withdraw cash from ATMs, transfer funds, or make purchases like a regular debit card.

Questions About Pay?

Call the Substitute Office at 503-399-3295.

You may start your TSPC licensure process at any time. However, most substitutes prefer to wait until references have been completed and their application has been approved by the district.

You will know it’s time to apply when you receive an email from the district with your onboarding documents.

District Substitute Teaching License

Apply for this license if you:

• have at least two years of instructional assistant experience with Salem-Keizer Public Schools, or
• are currently student teaching or will be student teaching during the current school year, or
• have completed a minimum of 45 quarter credits or 30 semester credit hours

Restricted Substitute Teaching License

• Apply for this license if you hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree but have not completed a teacher preparation program. This license requires district sponsorship.
• The Restricted Substitute Teaching License permits a qualified individual to substitute teach in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 Oregon public school districts, education service districts, and charter school assignments.

Licensed Substitute Teaching License

• The Substitute Teaching License is issued to educators who have completed a teacher preparation program but do not hold a regular Oregon teaching license.
• This license permits an educator to substitute teach in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 Oregon public school districts, education service districts, and charter school assignments to replace a teacher who is temporarily unable to work.

Applying for a Restricted Substitute or District Substitute Teaching License

The district will send your sponsorship letter to TSPC after you have:

1. Applied for licensure
2. Passed your background check
3. Completed the Substitute Information Form