Application Process       
     Hanover County Public Schools accepts applications year round.  This online application may be used for all teacher, administrator, substitute teacher, or support staff positions.  When completing the application, candidates may click SAVE AND CONTINUE at any point and return to the online application later by using their chosen username and password, though the information is actually submitted each time a page is completed.  Should candidates need to return to the application data for updates of any kind, they may log on to the system, make appropriate changes, and click SAVE AND CONTINUE.  The online system may be idle for up to 45 minutes before it will close the application.  While the data is sent with the completion of each page, applicants may click SUBMIT and a summary of the application data will be available for applicants to print and keep for their own records and will serve as acknowledgement of the application to HCPS. 

Security Alert Warning Message--Applicants sometimes express concern about the warning that appears upon entry to the application system regarding security or privacy of the information. This warning message is especially frequent with the newer version of Internet Explorer. The information is encrypted or scrambled during its transmission to and from our system and cannot be read by others. This message appears because the school district does not subscribe to one of the “trusted certificate authorities” that have been pre-installed in a typical person's computer browser from the factory. Instead of subscribing to an external service like this, HCPS has set up our own internal certificate server and acts as our own certificate authority. Each applicant could go through a complicated and time-consuming procedure to add our certificate information into their PC. This would eliminate the warning message, but would not necessarily make the communications any more secure.

Application Tips

Make sure that the box accepting the terms of the application is checked at the end of the application. 

Be sure that your experience is listed in and out of the educational field and that the dates are accurate. 

Be very clear regarding if you have a teaching license, in what area (s) of endorsement as written or to be written on your license, or what your progress is toward a teaching license, such expected date of completion.

Remember that the information on the application is used to make important employment decisions.  If you are unsure about the data you submit, use the comment section to explain--don't guess.  By acknowledging the terms at the end of the application you are verifying the accuracy of the information.  Falsification of the application is grounds for immediate termination. 


*Remember to keep your application data up to date using your user name and password to access the document.

Once the application is completed in its entirety, applicants should mail supporting documents to Hanover County Public Schools to the attention of:  
    
    
     Mrs. Joni Pritchard                      Elementary positions
     Mr. Tim Billups                           Secondary positions
     Mr. Tim Reid                              Special Education Teacher and support positions, Instructional Assistants positions
     Ms. Janella Temple                     Transportation, Custodian, Food Service, Technology Services positions
     Ms. Melissa Stewart                    Secretaries, School Nurses, Library Media Specialists
     Mrs. Janet Searles                      Substitute Teacher

TEACHERS/COUNSELORS/MEDIA SPECIALISTS/INSTRUCTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS
Other documents needed to complete the teacher or administrative application include:
1.  University placement file, if applicable.
2.  Three narrative letters of reference from those most familiar with your performance.  For candidates with teaching experience, at least one letter should be from the principal. 
3.  College transcripts. 
4.  Praxis Exams Scores. Virginia currently requires the following scores for teachers to be considered highly qualified if they are applying for initial licensure:
                        Virginia Literacy and Communication Assessment (VCLA) test is now required instead of Praxis I:          
                       
                        Praxis II --Cut scores will vary depending upon each specialty area test.

                        SLLA - for school administrators

5.  Teachers applying for initial license with endorsement in elementary education, special education, or reading specialist must also take the Virginia Reading Assessment.  Effective July 1, 2006, the cut score for elementary and special education teachers is 235 and the cut score for reading specialist is 245.  The VRA website provides general information about the test, but registration forms are available only in the printed registration bulletin. 
6.  Virginia Teaching License or license from another state. (Click here to go to Virginia Department of Education's Division of Teacher Licensure.) For candidates who hold a provisional license, please provide the license and the attachment from VDOE indicating what requirements are lacking for the renewable license.

*The documents listed above are scanned to accompany the applicant's computer file.  All but official transcripts will then be destroyed. Application information is active for one year, then held as inactive for three years and available for reactivation. Portfolios, CD's, and other information are best brought to interview sessions and are not kept in the application file.

To reactivate a previous  application, log on to the online application using the chosen username and password and update any information.  If the username and password are no longer known, please contact the appropriate HR assistant requesting that your login and password be reset.  An updated resume, reference letter, or other information that will indicate the most recent credentials and experience is strongly encouraged. 

To begin completion of our online application, click HERE.

SUPPORT STAFF
Support staff positions include paraprofessionals (aides), school nurses, food service assistants, custodians, technology services technicians, maintenance personnel, secretaries, bus and car drivers, fiscal technicians, etc.    Other documents needed to complete a support staff application include
1.  Three reference forms or letters from individuals familiar with the applicant's performance, especially supervisors.  ( Letters should address:   dates of employment, relationship to employee, employee's attendance, duties, job performance, and attitude with others.)  Click here for support staff reference form.  (Three are needed.)
2.  Resumes are encouraged.

To begin completion of our online application, click HERE.


Additional Information

Interview Process
     Completed applications are reviewed and screened by the human resources administrators in anticipation of  vacancies.  Candidates who are then selected will be contacted for interviews.  Typically an interview is a screening process to learn more about the applicants seeking employment within Hanover County Public Schools.  At the same time, it is the opportunity for a prospective employee to learn more about Hanover County Public Schools.  

      Following the screening interview in human resources, candidates may be asked to interview with a principal where a vacancy or possible vacancy exists.

     An effective interview is one of the most important aspects of the employment process.  In a 30-45 minute interview, an applicant's personality, educational background, and work experience are assessed.  It is usually the most decisive part of a campaign for an employment opportunity. Qualities to be assessed in the interview include:  personality, articulation, alertness, knowledge, enthusiasm, maturity, motivation, compatibility, preparation, and ability to relate to students.

Positive Interview Tips

     The decision to employ a prospective teacher is a joint decision among the human resources staff, principal, and possibly a representative from instructional leadership.  Individuals selected to fill positions are notified and given a reasonable length of time to make their decisions regarding acceptance.  Candidates are welcome to periodically a leave message in the human resources office expressing continued interest and availability. 

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER/HOMEBOUND/COACH

The online application is needed for individuals who wish to serve as substitute teacher, homebound instructors, or those non-employees who have been selected to coach athletics.  Click here to obtain the appropriate forms and for additional information.  Note, it may take approximately one month for the application to receive school board approval, depending upon when the application is complete in relation to the date of the next board meeting, typically the second week of the month.  A half-day orientation is required following board approval.

Support documents should be mailed as they become available to:
                                    Hanover County Public Schools
                                    Human Resources Department
                                    200 Berkley Street
                                    Ashland, VA 23005

                                    Phone:  (804) 365-4585
                                    Fax:   (804) 365-4660    (Caution--faxed copies can be difficult to read.)
                                   Email: jsearles@hcps.us