Clark, Cowlitz school districts to be part of ESD 112 job fair

• Bring a résumé if you have one.

• Bring a teaching certificate or Educational Staff Associate certificate.

• On-site fingerprinting/background checks: $80.

• What: Teachers and other education personnel can learn about and apply for open positions.

• When: 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

• Where: Educational Service District 112, 2500 N.E. 65th Ave.

• Contact: ESD 112 Human Resources at 360-750-7503.

• Information: web3.esd112.org/docs/default-source/HR/JobFair-final?sfvrsn=2

Teachers, special education professionals and other education workers seeking jobs can find help at the Southwest Washington Education Job Fair organized by Educational Service District 112 from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the ESD 112 campus, 2500 N.E. 65th Ave.

“The districts in our region are seeing a greater need to find individuals for certain types of jobs, and especially special education, school psychologists, nurses,” said Marnie Allen, executive director of human resources, ESD 112. “There’s a high demand for those (workers), and districts are having a hard time filling those positions. We thought by bringing the districts together, we might have an easier time finding people.”

Clark County school districts participating in the recruiting event are Battle Ground, Camas, Evergreen, Hockinson, Ridgefield, Vancouver and Washougal. Cowlitz County districts participating are Kelso and Longview. Additional participants are Washington School for the Blind and ESD 112.

“This is the first time ESD 112 has organized a regional event of this magnitude,” said Lori Oberheide, ESD 112 spokeswoman. “We know many teachers and other educators could not find jobs in education during the recent recession. It was especially tough for those coming out of college,” said Oberheide. “With the recent upturn in the job market, we are now in a situation where recruiting has become an intense focus and it’s often difficult to find qualified teachers and other education staff.”

Last year, Allen created a network with the other human resource directors and staff in the region to discuss their needs and issues. The challenge of recruiting is a common issue.

In the past, some of the larger districts hosted their own career fair for some of the harder positions to fill, including bus drivers and classroom aides. The group decided one large, regional recruiting event would be most effective and reach the largest number of qualified candidates.

Tips for job seekers

Job seekers should bring a current résumé if they have one.

Educators should bring their teaching certificate or Educational Staff Associate certificate. Those who don’t have a current certificate can learn about getting an updated certificate.

In the ESD 112 computer lab, individuals can log on to various school districts’ websites to submit applications.

Job candidates can get fingerprinting and background checks at the event for an $80 fee. Cash or checks are accepted. An ATM is at the ESD campus.

Most districts are concerned about a continued shortage of substitute teachers, Allen said. At the recruiting event, teachers can apply to get a substitute certificate, ask questions about the certification process and apply to be on a substitute teacher roster. The certificate fee is $48.

Available positions

Participating districts are recruiting for both certificated and classified positions as well as substitutes in both categories.

The current estimated number of positions available are below. The list will change as positions are filled or new ones become available.

• Teacher positions (about 65 openings): special education, math, science, teacher of the visually impaired, reading intervention specialist, American Sign Language, middle school choir, elementary education, English/social studies, music, Spanish, creative movement, English as a second language and science.

• Special education professionals (about 20): teachers, physical therapist, school psychologists, autism specialists, school language pathologists.

• School nurses (about five.)

• Early childhood & ECEAP positions (about 20.)

• After-school tutors (about 20.)

• Child care assistants and teachers (about 15.)

• Substitute pools (unknown numbers: teachers, bus drivers, paraeducators, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, custodians, residential life counselors. Multiple districts are recruiting for both classified and certificated subs. This is a high-need area in the region.

Want a job in a warmer place? The teacher shortage in Clark County pales in comparison to the one in Clark County, Nev., which is scrambling to fill more than 1,000 teaching positions before school begins in about a month. The fifth-largest school district in the nation includes the schools in fast-growing Las Vegas. For more information, visit ccsd.net/employees/prospective.