Certificated Staff

Certificated positions are those that require a Washington State teaching or Washington State Educational Staff Associated (ESA) certificate. Positions include but are not limited to teachers, deans, counselors, speech language pathologists, registered nurses, social workers, psychologists, career and technical teachers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.

• Application Requirements
• Helpful Resources
  

Application Requirements
All Candidates (External and Internal)

• View open positions online.
• Click on the job title to view position details.
• Select "Apply" and then sign in or create an account.
• Complete each of the tabs in your online candidate profile.
  • Employment History (including supervisor information)
  • Education
  • Credentials
  • Supervisor References (three or more)
• Upload an updated resume into your online candidate profile.
• Upload copies of college/university transcripts
• Uploaded copies of a valid, Washington State Teacher/ESA credentials
• Cover letters and professional letters of recommendation are encouraged.
  

Helpful Resources

• Adding an Endorsement - tips on how to note an endorsement on your application
• Salary Schedules - find tables of salary levels for different types of positions
• Bargaining Agreements - Information on Bargaining Agreements at Tacoma Public Schools
• Washington Educators Skills Test - main website for the WEST-E
• Testing locations for the WEST - locate a test center near you and check seat availability
• Background Checks - learn about how we fingerprint and run background checks to protect students
• Frequently Asked Questions - our Human Resources Department's answers to common applicant questions
  

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is a teaching certificate required to teach in Tacoma Public Schools?
• Will my certificate from another state transfer to Washington? Does Washington have reciprocity with other states?
• What is an endorsement?
• What is the difference between one-year, replacement and continuing contracts?
• Does a teacher have to register a new certificate with Tacoma Public Schools?
• What if I do not have a current State teaching certificate?
• What is the difference between a teaching certificate and a Career and Technical (CTE) or Vocational certificate?
  

Is a teaching certificate required to teach in Tacoma Public Schools?
Yes. A valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsements is required to teach in Tacoma Public Schools. A valid Educational Staff Associate Certificate (ESA) is required for school nurses, psychologists, counselors, social workers, audiologists and therapists.
Will my certificate from another state transfer to Washington? Does Washington have reciprocity with other states?
No. Contact the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for more information on obtaining your Washington State teaching certificate by visiting the OSPI website or calling 360-725-6396.
What is an endorsement?
Endorsements are designated areas that a Washington State teacher has been qualified to teach through OSPI.
What is the difference between one-year, replacement and continuing contracts?
A certificated one-year or replacement employment contract is a non-continuing employment contract which ends at the completion of the specific assignment. One-year/replacement contracts may be issued due to employee leave, grant funding, collective bargaining guidelines or requirements, or because of other circumstances.
A certificated continuing employment contract is issued for one year at a time; however, employment is continuing into the next school year unless a reduction in force is in effect. Collective bargaining requirements will be followed during a reduction in force process.
Does a teacher have to register a new certificate with Tacoma Public Schools?
Yes. Every teacher, including substitutes, must register their Washington teaching certificate with Human Resources before beginning a teaching assignment. Additionally, every teacher is responsible for registering all subsequent certificates with the District.
Please bring your original copy to the Human Resources Office, Employment Services. An HR Staff member will stamp your original certificate and make copies.
A copy will be placed in your personnel file after the HR database is updated.
What if I do not have a current State teaching certificate?
An offer of employment is contingent upon the ability to obtain a valid Washington State teaching certificate prior to the first day of employment.
Information regarding certification is available at the Office of State Superintendent of Public Information (OSPI) or at the Education Service District (ESD) 113.
Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Telephone: 360-725-6400
• Website: https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate
• Email: cert@tacoma.k12.wa.us
  

Education Service District 113

• Address: 6005 Tyee Drive SW, Tumwater, WA 98512
• Phone: 360-464-6700
• Website: http://www.esd113.org
  

What is the difference between a teaching certificate and a Career and Technical (CTE) or Vocational certificate?
A teaching certificate requires fulfilling educational requirements, whereas some vocational education certificates can be obtained through industry experience. For more complete information, contact: Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Telephone: 360-725-6400
• Website: https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate
• Email: cert@tacoma.k12.wa.us
  

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Contact Us
Human Resources
3702 E McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-1000
HRinfo@tacoma.k12.wa.us
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