Permanent Substitute (Floater)
Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools
Position Overview
Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools are seeking highly dependable, adaptable, and student-centered individuals to serve as Permanent Substitutes (Floaters).
This position plays an essential role in maintaining continuity of instruction, student support, and daily school operations by providing consistent and reliable coverage during staff absences.
Permanent Substitutes are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to attendance, punctuality, professional communication, and accountability. The District relies on employees in this role to report to work as scheduled, fulfill assigned responsibilities, and communicate proactively regarding any circumstances that may affect their availability or ability to complete an assignment.
Unlike per-diem substitutes who select individual assignments based on availability, Permanent Substitutes are regularly scheduled employees who are expected to accept and fulfill assignments made by school or District administration as part of their established work schedule.
Assignments may include coverage for classroom teachers, paraeducators, and clerical staff, as appropriate, within a designated school or across multiple schools at the elementary and secondary levels.
The successful candidate must be flexible, responsive to changing operational needs, and committed to providing consistent support to students and school personnel.
Key Responsibilities
Substitute Coverage and Student Support
- Provide dependable substitute coverage for teachers, paraeducators, and clerical staff as assigned by school or District administration.
- Implement established lesson plans, classroom routines, and instructional activities.
- Maintain a safe, positive, respectful, and structured learning environment.
- Support students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
- Follow established school schedules, procedures, and supervisory expectations.
- Adapt to different grade levels, classrooms, student populations, and school locations.
- Assist with basic clerical responsibilities, including answering phones, greeting visitors, attendance support, and data entry, when assigned.
Attendance, Reliability, and Professional Accountability
- Maintain consistent and dependable attendance and report to assigned work locations on time and prepared to perform assigned duties.
- Fulfill assigned coverage responsibilities for the scheduled duration unless a change is authorized by the appropriate administrator.
- Honor accepted or confirmed assignments and avoid cancellations or changes that could unnecessarily disrupt student services or school operations.
- Notify the appropriate administrator promptly if an illness, emergency, or other unforeseen circumstance may prevent attendance or completion of an assignment.
- Follow established District procedures for reporting absences, requesting leave, and communicating schedule changes.
- Remain available and responsive to reassignment during scheduled work hours as operational needs change.
- Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, initiative, and accountability in carrying out daily responsibilities.
- Recognize that unexpected absences, late cancellations, and failure to fulfill assignments can place additional responsibilities on other employees and disrupt essential student services.
Communication and Professional Conduct
- Maintain timely, clear, respectful, and professional communication with school administrators, supervisors, teachers, and support staff.
- Acknowledge and respond promptly to assignment notifications, schedule changes, and administrative instructions.
- Seek clarification when assignment expectations, reporting locations, or responsibilities are unclear.
- Communicate any concerns affecting an assignment as early as possible to allow administrators to coordinate appropriate coverage.
- Establish positive and collaborative working relationships with students, families, and school personnel.
- Maintain confidentiality of student, family, and employee information in accordance with District policies and applicable laws.
- Complete all required District onboarding, orientation, and compliance training.
- Perform other related duties consistent with the position's classification and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Required Qualifications
- Associate's degree or completion of at least two years of college coursework.
- Demonstrated dependability, punctuality, accountability, and commitment to fulfilling assigned responsibilities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate schedule concerns and respond to administrative instructions promptly.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively with students across different grade levels and educational settings.
- Ability to adapt to changing assignments, locations, schedules, and school operational needs.
- Ability to work independently, follow directions, and maintain professional boundaries.
- Commitment to maintaining consistent attendance and following established District attendance and notification procedures.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working in a public school or educational setting.
- Experience as a substitute teacher, paraeducator, or in a similar educational support role.
- Experience supporting students with diverse academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
- Demonstrated history of reliable attendance, professional communication, and successful completion of assigned work responsibilities.
- Experience working across multiple classrooms, programs, or school locations.
Essential Expectations of the Position
Dependability and professional accountability are essential to the successful performance of this role.
Because Permanent Substitutes provide scheduled coverage for essential school functions, employees appointed to this position are expected to:
- Report to work consistently and punctually in accordance with their established employment schedule.
- Accept and complete assignments made by authorized school or District administrators within the scope of the position.
- Fulfill accepted or confirmed assignments for their scheduled duration unless an authorized change is made.
- Communicate promptly and directly with the appropriate administrator regarding absences, emergencies, assignment concerns, or changes in availability.
- Follow all applicable District attendance, absence-reporting, and leave procedures.
- Remain flexible and prepared to support different classrooms, programs, and school locations based on operational needs.
- Demonstrate a professional commitment to minimizing disruptions to student learning and the responsibilities of other staff members.
Failure to meet attendance, communication, or assignment expectations may result in administrative review and appropriate corrective action, consistent with District policies, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.
Terms of Employment and Compensation
- Position Classification: Permanent Substitute (Floater), a separate classification within the Unit C Paraeducator bargaining unit.
- Employment Schedule: School-year position, 181 days annually, working 6.5 hours per day, excluding a 30-minute unpaid lunch.
- Location: Assigned school or districtwide, based on operational needs.
- Reports To: Building Principal and/or Superintendent or designee.
- Compensation: Placement on the Unit C/LPN Salary Schedule based on qualifying education and relevant substitute experience, in accordance with District practices and applicable collective bargaining provisions.
- Evaluation: In accordance with the Unit C Evaluation System.
Employment Requirements
Employment is conditional upon successful completion of the following background checks:
- CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) Check: No fee is associated with this requirement.
- National Criminal Background Check (Fingerprint Check): The cost is the responsibility of the applicant.
All required background checks, District onboarding documentation, orientation, and mandatory training must be completed before the employee begins work.
For additional information, please visit the District's Human Resources Employee Information page.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools are equal opportunity employers committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process and in the performance of essential job functions, consistent with applicable laws.