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Questions and Answers - Certificated Positions Hiring Process

Accurate, open communication between job applicant and prospective employer is essential. Sometimes, however, this type of communication may be lost in the maze of procedures surrounding the hiring process.

Though we do our best to find out about you and to tell you about us, some important questions you have might go unanswered.

To help remedy this, we have put together a summary of questions that people most often ask about LPS and the hiring procedures of Human Resources.

We hope some questions you have are answered here. E-mail humanres@lps.org with any other questions you might have.

What factors are considered in determining if I will be a finalist for a vacancy?
The principal indicates the desirable personal qualities, background and experience preferred for a vacancy. Human Resources reviews the applicant files and identifies those who fit the principal's stated requirements. From those files, principals recommend a list of finalists.

What are my chances of employment?
The odds for available teaching positions vary from one subject area to another throughout the year according to the total number of applicants for each vacancy. More than 175 applicants, of which nearly half are new to the teaching profession, are hired each year. Our greatest areas of need are chemistry, physics, math, speech pathology, media, elementary counseling, gifted education, special education (especially behaviorally disordered, multi-handicapped and early childhood special education), foreign language and vocational industrial arts.

When are teachers hired for the upcoming school year?
Teachers are hired as vacancies are identified, from February through August. Last year, 40 percent of the vacancies occurred during the summer months.

What does Human Resources look at when evaluating a job candidate?
Human Resources examines scholastic records, student teaching records, references and the on-line interview.

Would the Lincoln schools rather hire a teacher with a B.A. than one with an M.A. to save money?
The Lincoln Board of Education has directed the schools to hire candidates who are best suited for particular positions, regardless of degree or salary requirements. This means that the district does not hire people with bachelor of arts rather than those with master of arts degrees just to save money.

If I do apply, when will I know if my file is complete and how will I be informed?
Because Human Resources fills vacancies as they occur, no set date can be established when a candidate will be notified. After the applicant file is complete, each candidate is informed of his or her status. Candidates are urged to notify Human Resources when they are no longer available for employment.

How are teachers hired for specific assignments?
When specific vacancies occur, Human Resources makes an initial screening of candidates who have applied in that subject area. Several of these screened candidates (finalists) will be invited to visit the specific school where the vacancy is located. They may also meet with the appropriate principal, subject area curriculum specialist, coordinators, team leaders, etc.