Substitutes

Substitute Information

The Substitute Office coordinates substitute coverage for positions such as Clerical Staff, Paraeducators and Teachers using Frontline Education Absence Management. Frontline is a substitute placement system that can be accessed by internet or phone.

We support more than 100 schools and programs in our district, and we ask for your commitment to collaborate with us as we support all of our students.

District employees and substitutes can find forms and additional information on the MySPS Substitutes page (login required).

Do you know ASL or Braille?

Please let the Suboffice know if you know ASL, PSE, SEE or Braille. Have you worked with the visually impaired? We periodically have requests from our Special Ed Department for these notable skills.

Are you Bilingual?

Please email the Suboffice and let us know if you are bilingual, and what languages you are fluent so we can update our records. We often have requests from our ELL and International Program department for student support.

Substitute Frequently Asked Questions

All available positions are listed in one place – View and apply for substitute opportunities. One application serves to apply for all positions including substitutes. When you apply to individual positions, you will be asked to answer supplemental questions. Please review each job announcement to determine if additional materials are required. Important updates and announcements about special circumstances or activities are posted on the Careers home page. Applications are reviewed weekly as needed, processing can take up to two weeks.

Within Seattle Schools, a long-term substitute is someone who is assigned for 45 or more consecutive work days in one assignment or at one school. The substitute will receive benefits once the 45-day requirement has been met and the paperwork for benefits submitted.

Yes, classified substitutes do become eligible to receive pay differential and benefits for long term assignments.

Classified and Certificated Substitutes must work at least 10 days per school year to remain on SPS Substitute roster. If you work 9 or fewer days, your employment will terminate in July of that school year. You will not be notified and you will have to re-apply before you will be eligible to be a substitute for Seattle Public Schools again.

Short-Term Assignment Sick Leave Accrual:
Hourly employees (including part-time workers, short-term substitutes and seasonal workers) will accrue paid sick leave at a minimum rate of 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked.

Unused paid sick leave of 40 hours or less will be carried over to the following year.

Longer-Term Assignment Sick Leave Accrual:

Certificated Substitutes serving in one (1) single assignment up to and including twenty (20) consecutive workdays shall be credited with one (1) day of sick leave for each twenty (20) consecutive work days in that assignment. Classified substitutes who work in a leave of absence up to and including sixty (60) consecutive workdays shall be credited with one (1) day of sick leave for each twenty (20) consecutive work days in that assignment. This sick leave shall accumulate from year to year and apply to all substitute assignments of twenty-one (21) consecutive workdays or more. Substitutes who serve in assignments of twenty-one (21) or more consecutive workdays shall be entitled to Bereavement Leave. One day missed within the first twenty (20) days of an assignment will not be counted against a substitute’s progress toward a consecutive day requirement. Contact the Substitute Office if you have any questions.

Classified and Certificated Substitutes are eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits after 45 consecutive days in the same assignment or at the same school. If a substitute takes a long-term job exceeding 45 days, benefits will be offered at the start of the assignment when known.

Once you’ve reached eligibility you will receive notification. For information about benefit options through the WA State Health Care Authority SEBB program contact the Benefits Helpline at 206-957-7066, or email at benefits@seattleschools.org.

* Additionally, daily substitutes who work 630 hours or more in a school year shall be credited with sick leave accrual at the end of the year at the rate of 1 day for every 20 days worked for the previous year.

Yes. Professional Development is encouraged and available to all of our employees.

Because scheduled, unpaid periods are predetermined by the negotiated school calendar, these recess periods do not qualify for unemployment compensation. This is due to the fact that you have reasonable assurance that following each of the vacation/recess periods you remain active on our substitute list unless you indicate otherwise to us.

Purchasing service credit for substitute work – If you work as a classified or certificated substitute, your employer reports to the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) the amount of service performed. To receive credit for your service, you must apply for it with DRS. For more information, such as purchase deadlines and cost calculations, please refer to the Substitute’s Guide appropriate for your plan. You may also contact DRS at 1-800-547-6657.

School bell schedules

School employees are paid monthly.

View salary schedules and works year calendars

Learn how to register your teaching certificate