POSITION TITLE
Building Substitute
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Building Substitute is directly supervised by School Principals, Assistant Principals or Department Leads and supported by the Office of Human Resources. This position is assigned to one school for the 192-day school year (including Professional Development and Clerical Days). This position is responsible for delivering instruction using provided lesson plans or appropriate substitute activities when plans are not available, while maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment that aligns with district and school-wide expectations. Building substitutes are expected to work anywhere they are needed, including teacher, counselor, social worker, librarian, or paraprofessional absences, as well as lunch duty, playground monitor, or other duties assigned by school administration.
This role requires flexibility in working across various grade levels and assignments, as well as the ability to quickly adapt to changing environments. The Building Substitute is responsible for accurately managing daily assignments and time reporting in Frontline, in collaboration with school-based staff to ensure accurate records.
The Building Substitute supports student learning by actively engaging with students, assisting with assigned work, and promoting participation and positive behavior throughout the school day. Responsibilities include monitoring student attendance, behavior, and safety across all school settings, including classrooms and other school areas, as well as communicating any concerns or incidents to school leadership as needed.
The position requires strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills; the ability to work both independently and collaboratively; and a commitment to professionalism, reliability, and confidentiality. The Building Substitute is expected to support the district’s mission by fostering a positive, inclusive learning environment and demonstrating cultural competence while working with diverse student populations.
The Building Substitute position has an opening at the following locations:
SELECTION PROCESS
Hiring:
After submitting a substitute application, applicants will receive an email from subservices@pghschools.org within two (2) business days with instructions to complete the required New Employment Packet and submit all necessary documents, including clearances, health appraisal, transcripts/diplomas, and other compliance materials. All required paperwork and documentation must be completed and submitted within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt to ensure timely processing.
Once all materials have been received and reviewed, Human Resources will complete the final approval process and notify the applicant of their hiring status and eligibility to begin accepting substitute assignments.
Building Substitute Assignment:
In April, school leaders recommend substitute professionals to serve as Building Substitutes for the following school year. Once recommendations are received, offers are sent to candidates who will have 5 business days to accept or decline.
After all offers are finalized, a survey will open for any remaining Building Substitute positions. All substitute professionals can apply for these openings through June. The survey will close on the last day of school for students.
If you are hired as a substitute professional between June and March and are interested in becoming a Building Substitute, please email subservices@pghschools.org. You will receive a list of available positions and should reply with your top three choices. Assignments will be made based on school needs.
WORK MONTHS
10 months
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Monitor assignments in Frontline and accurately track and maintain time in accordance with district procedures, working with the school secretary as needed to ensure records are accurate.
2. Deliver instruction to students using provided lesson plans, instructional materials and resources; when plans are not available, implement appropriate activities to ensure continuity of student learning.
3. Fulfill any role or assignment as directed including but not limited to; any professional or paraprofessional absence or vacancy, as well as lunch duty, playground monitor, or other duties assigned by school administration.
4. Manage a safe, structured, and supportive classroom environment that promotes and upholds district and school-wide expectations for positive behavior, student engagement and safety.
5. Support students in completing assigned work by providing help, guidance, and redirection as needed.
6. Actively engage with students throughout the school day and during instruction by providing support and encouraging participation in activities.
7. Monitor students across various school settings, including classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, assemblies, and other school activities, to ensure safety and appropriate behavior.
8. Work cooperatively with teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school staff to support a positive and inclusive learning environment.
9. Communicate with school leadership about any incidents, concerns, or important occurrences.
10. Monitor and document student attendance, behavior, and task completion in accordance with school and district procedures.
11. Provide a detailed written summary of the day’s activities or events for the returning school-based professional regarding student performance, completed work, and any important classroom updates to ensure a smooth transition back.
12. Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate relationships with students and staff at all times.
13. Follow all district and school policies, procedures, and emergency protocols.
14. Attend required district and school orientation, onboarding, professional development training, and meetings.
15. Other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor in support of the department's or school’s goals and objectives and the District's mission and Superintendent's Priority Goals
EDUCATION REQUIRED
· Bachelor’s Degree in any field of study
CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE REQUIRED
· Pennsylvania Department of Education Instructional Certification in any subject area (preferred)
· Pennsylvania Department of Education Emergency Day-to-Day Substitute Permit required within 30 days of hire if you do not hold a PDE certification
For more information on Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Education Certification Requirements visit the a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/PAEducators/Pages/PACerts.aspx">PA Department of Education’s Certification Types and Codes webpage.
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
N/A
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
· Demonstrated ability to work with children in an educational setting preferred
· Be flexible and adapt to different classrooms, student needs, and daily assignments.
· Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
· Commitment to professionalism, reliability, and punctuality
· Ability to quickly adapt to new environments and responsibilities
· Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, effectively managing multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
· Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess situations, identify solutions, and effectively manage responsibilities
· Proven ability to build, foster, and sustain strong, professional relationships with school leaders, staff, parents, and students to support a positive and productive school environment.
· Ability to handle sensitive information with a high degree of confidentiality, while consistently demonstrating professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy in all interactions.
· Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse racial, cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and respectful environment.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey information, follow directions, and interact effectively
· Enthusiastic fundamental goal of advancing student achievement in an urban public school district.
· Value, demonstrate, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The working conditions and physical requirements described here are representative of, but not limited to, those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made.
· Work is performed in a school setting that serves diverse student populations.
· May be assigned to different grade levels and subject areas daily.
· Work environment may be fast-paced and may require frequent adjustments to changing assignments and student needs.
· Requires standing, walking, and moving throughout classrooms and school buildings for extended periods of time.
· Exposure to noise levels consistent with active school environments.
· Must be able to respond quickly and appropriately to student behavior, safety concerns, and emergency situations.
· Regular interaction with students, teachers, administrators, and support staff.
· Required to follow emergency procedures, including drills and building safety protocols.
· Work may involve managing challenging behaviors and maintaining professionalism in high-stress situations.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILE CRITERIA
External applicants and internal non-school-based professional employees who are properly certified are eligible to apply for this position. This job posting is not a component of the School-Based Professional Internal Transfer Season. Current Pittsburgh Public School employees who are school-based professionals (teachers, librarians, counselors, social workers, etc.) are not eligible to apply to this position.
CITY OF PITTSBURGH RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
This position does not have a residency requirement.