Gloucester Township schools are hosting a job fair today with positions available in multiple departments, fields, and middle-school locations.
There are no full-time teaching positions available, but Human Resources Supervisor Orlando Mercado says that full-time special education teachers are always needed in the township.
“Teaching wise, we are not experiencing any of the teaching shortages that other districts are, but we are struggling to find special-education teachers …” he said.
The fair is meant to attract potential full-time bus drivers, bus and classroom aides, custodians, food service workers, warehouse workers and afterschool program staff.
Another need within the township is substitute teachers. Currently, all substitutes need is a bachelor’s degree, and once they’re extended an offer of employment, the process for a substitute teaching certificate begins.
“If you get an offer of employment from us, you go to the Camden County Department of Education and submit your paperwork for a substitute certificate,” said Mercado. “They want your transcripts from school, (you need) to get fingerprinted and submit a payment for a certificate that is good for five years.”
That five-year certificate is good for any county in the state, not just Camden. . Mercado said the township is one of the highest paying in the county and that substituting for an extended period offers a great opportunity for an “extended interview”.
“I frame it to those that were not selected as full-time positions that this can be a year-long interview,” he explained. “It helps the school [get familiar] with who you are.”
The job fair will take place at Charles W. Lewis Middle School from 9 a.m. to noon, then again between 4 and 7 p.m. The fair is for positions in all township schools that have openings.
Positions will also be posted online, with applications available through the school district website.
