Designer
HIRING GUIDE
PREPARE.
EXECUTE.
HIRED.

Learn how to prepare for job seeking, execute your
abilities, and get hired with Polk County Public Schools.

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Helpful Videos

Why teach in Polk?

Resume Review

Provisional Substitute to Full Teacher Salary

Become a Teacher in Florida!

Temporary Teacher Certification to Professional Teacher Certification

PREPARE

You know that saying – If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Preparing before job searching will allow you to reflect and analyze your professional career. Planning and writing out your experiences will prepare you as you begin your search. So what exactly do you need in hand when job searching? A resume! Below are a few tips and tricks you could use while updating or creating your resume.

PROVIDE A SNAPSHOT OF YOU

Less is 
More

Highlight
Your Experiences

Define
You

COMPONENTS OF A QUALITY RESUME

Heading

Use your name and contact information.
Use an email that you check on a daily basis.

Education

This section will inform interviewers of your background. You may list GPA and graduation dates if they are relevant.

Certification

List all certifications that you have that are required or beneficial for the position for which you are applying.

Work History

List relevant work experience. Summarize in 1-2 sentences your job duties in each position. Remember – Quality vs. Quantity; Keep it short and sweet!

Refrences

References can be listed on a separate page. Inform references that you will be listing their contact information on your resume.

Professional Development/Skills

Make sure any PD/Skills you list reflect and support the position for which you are applying.

REVIEW

Make sure to check your spelling and review your resume! Handing out a resume with numerous spelling and grammatical errors is a big NO-NO! Allow someone else to review your resume before finalizing it.

EXECUTE

The Interview

The interview can make or break you…. just kidding! But because it is a huge part in the hiring process, you need to prepare properly. Every interview is different, so be prepared to adjust to the environment, questions, and the person with whom you are interviewing. Don’t sweat it..no literally don’t sweat! Show up wearing your Sunday best! Virtual interview? Have a nice shirt on and a professional background. You got this!

Advice & Tips

Practice

Find sample interview questions and practice with a family or friend. Use your resume as a talking point. Go into some detail about information listed on your resume and do NOT talk over the interviewer.

Prepare Technology

If your interview is virtual, confirm with the interviewer the type of program they will be using to conduct the interview. Download and test your audio and video before the interview.

Execute

  • Dress professionally.
  • Be on time!
  • Speak from your resume. What makes you stand out?
  • Be confident in yourself!
  • Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer.

STEPS TO BECOMING A TEACHER

Step 1: What do you want to teach?

What subject area and grade level do you want to teach? You will want to make that decision before you begin the application process. Still don’t know? Try being a substitute! Call Kelly Educational Staffing to apply – https://www.customer.kellyservices.us/polk-county/
Phone: 863-688-4141

Step 2: Certification

Begin applying for your Florida teaching certification. Consider the course requirements for the subject area you are interested in.
Complete the application, pay the $75 application fee and request that your college mail official transcripts to the FLDOE.

Step 3: Application

Complete the online employment application with Polk County Public Schools by visiting: https://jobs.polk-fl.net/.

Step 4: Apply

Once you have submitted your application, you can begin applying directly for positions for which you are qualified and certified to fill.

Apply Online: polkschoolsfl.com/employmentopenings/

CERTIFICATION

Temporary Certification

A temporary certificate is a 3 year, nonrenewable certificate. You are given up to 3 years to complete all requirements to upgrade to a renewable Professional Certificate while teaching full-time.

Requirements:

  • Complete all FDOE application requirements.
  • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
  • Pass the Subject Area Exam or meet course requirements with a 2.5 GPA for a requested subject.
  • A Temporary Certificate is issued after the individual is employed in a Florida school and after fingerprints & drug screening have been cleared.

Professional Certification

A Professional Certificate is valid for 5 years and is renewable. To renew, you have to obtain 120 in-service points, 20 of which are in the area of students with disabilities.

Requirements:

  • Complete all application requirements.
  • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
  • Pass the associated Subject Area Exam.
  • Pass the General Knowledge Exam.
  • Pass the Professional Preparation and Education Competence Exam.
  • A Professional Certificate is issued after the individual is employed and fingerprinting/drug screening have been cleared.

Begin Your Application For Your Certificate

For more information visit: http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/general-cert-requirements/

Click Here To Get Started

DON'T HAVE A CERTIFICATE?

Do you have a bachelor’s degree but are not certified? Good news, we can hire you as a provisional substitute!

Provisional Substitute Requirements:

  • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have an active online application with the Florida Department of Education.
  • Have paid the $75.00 FDOE online application fee (per subject area).
  • Have an active online application with Polk County Public Schools.

Pay Rate: 
$15.00 per hour

Health
Benefits

Eligible to work
196 days

Eligibility Requirements to become a Full Salaried Teacher

A Provisional Substitute is eligible to be considered for a full-salaried teaching position when he/she has been deemed eligible to hold a Florida teaching certificate by the Florida Department of Education in the subject area that corresponds with the position filled.

  • This can be usually be achieved by passing the associated subject area exam.
  • It is the responsibility of the Provisional Substitute to notify the Certification Department when the state has deemed him/her eligible to hold a teaching certificate in the targeted subject area.
  • Notification should be sent to certificationoffice@polk-fl.net.

Have additional questions?

HR Call Center
hrcallcenter@polk-fl.net

APPLICATION PROCESS

The very first step you will need to take in order to apply for positions is to create an online application with PCPS. This application acts as your online resume and it will allow you to apply for positions directly.

The application process will take about 45 minutes to complete. Please make sure to add all certification information under the certification tab. Everything you add to your application is self-reported, so please make sure to give correct and accurate information.

1. Create Application

2. Complete Application

3. Activate Application

4. Browse/Apply for Jobs

Process

Create Application

Complete an application that acts as your online resume.

Verify

Ensure all information is accurate and updated.

Apply

Apply directly to positions posted on the employment page.

*If you receive “You Do Not Match/You are Not Eligible for this position” message, your certification you have reported on your application does not match the position for which you are applying. If you are pending certification, email jobs@polk-fl.net for options available to you to get in contact with hiring administrators.

FAQ

Who do I contact if I have application issues?

You will need to contact the HR Help Desk if you are having issues with the Applicant Registration System (ARS).
Phone: 863-534-0784

What can I expect after submitting my application?

You will receive an automated email notification regarding your application status. You may search and apply for positions for which you are fully qualified. You will also receive automated emails regarding your interview and hiring status. You will need to accept or decline interview invitations.

Can I become a teacher even though I do not have a degree in education?

Yes! Many of our teachers do not have a degree in education and are very successful in the classroom! If you have a bachelor’s degree, you may still be deemed eligible by the Florida Department of Education for a teaching certificate. Check out the course requirements for the subject area that you are interested in teaching to see if you may be deemed eligible for a teaching certificate.

What is a provisional substitute?

A provisional substitute is someone who is hired into a teaching position but does not have the certification requirements to fill that position. Provisional substitutes are paid $15 an hour and receive benefits after the first 90 days of employment. To become a provisional substitute, you must hold at least a bachelor’s degree, have a complete application with the Florida Department of Education, have paid the $75 application fee, and have an application with Polk County Public Schools.

When I apply for a position it says " You do not match".

If you receive this error it means that you do not have the correct certification for the position listed on your PCPS application. If you do, please make sure to update the certification section of your application with the proper content areas and validity dates. If you do not have a certificate yet, you will need to email the principal directly to connect about a position or email jobs@polk-fl.net to determine what opportunities are available to you.

How often do teachers get paid?

All new employees are paid twice a month, as close to the 15th and 30th/31st as is possible within a pay period.

Contact Info

Recruitment Office

Phone: 863-534-0781 Option 5
Email: jobs@polk-fl.net

Personnel Office

Onboarding-related questions
Phone: 863-534-0781 Option 0
Email: hrcallcenter@polk-fl.net

Application and General Questions

HR Call Center
Phone: 863-534-0781
Email: hrcallcenter@polk-fl.net

Certification Questions

Certification Office
Phone: 863-534-0781 Option 3
Email: certificationoffice@polk-fl.net

Employee Relations

(Blocked applications)
Phone: 863-534-0781 Option 4

Our Team

Photo of Caroline Giroux

Caroline Giroux
Teacher Recruiter
caroline.giroux@polk-fl.net
863-534-0781 ext.565

Photo of Brittanie Ramsey

Brittanie Ramsey
Teacher Recruiter
brittanie.ramsey@polk-fl.net
863-534-0781 ext. 543

Photo of Christi Anne Holby

Christi-Anne Holby
Non-Instructional Recruiter
anne-christine.holby@polk-fl.net
863-534-0781 ext. 307