Hiring process

The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) believes in a diverse and inclusive workforce with a variety of backgrounds, knowledge, skills, experience, and qualifications.

The recruitment and hiring process encompasses how we screen and select for job opportunities. Learn about the process below.
Accommodations

Should you require an accommodation, please voluntarily inform the board of the necessary accommodation request. You may be asked to provide documentation to support the request. It is encouraged that you inform the board of your accommodation needs ahead of the interview and selection process.

Learn more about accommodation requests. 

Application

All applications must be submitted electronically to a specific job posting through the Apply To Education website. All fees for the application process are covered by the SCDSB. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Decision making

The interview panel will review all candidates’ interview scores, qualifications, experience, references and other applicable testing/portfolios prior to selecting a successful candidate. Decisions will follow the respected collective agreements where applicable.

 

Mass recruiting

At times the SCDSB hires a very large group at one time, in a process called a mass recruit. During mass supply recruits we often see between 300 and 400 candidates. During these periods the recruitment process may take longer than usual. Decisions are generally communicated in four business weeks.


Occasional supply lists

Due to the high number of candidates interviewed for occasional supply lists, the decision process may take longer than other recruits. This process typically takes three to four weeks.

Internationally trained professionals

To accurately compare credentials to Ontarian or Canadian equivalents, the SCDSB encourages all professionals trained outside of Ontario to have their academic credentials evaluated prior to applying for employment.

Teaching qualifications
For the Ontario Ministry of Education’s overview of teaching qualifications in Ontario, please click here.

Ontario College of Teachers (OCT)
Teachers working in Ontario’s publicly funded elementary or secondary schools are required to be certified and in good standing with the OCT. Click here to learn about the application process, specific requirements by teaching category, eligibility, and more.

Credentials evaluation
The following organizations offer credential assessment services:

Interviews

The SCDSB practices behavioural interviewing, which uses the Behavioural Interviewing© method, for all job interviews. Using this method, the interviewers are able to discover during an interview what the candidate has done in their past and/or present work-related experiences and are then better able to predict how the person will perform in the future in a particular position. When using the Behavioural Interviewing© method, interviewers ask questions to gather examples from the candidate to demonstrate specific job-related skills. The questions are developed based on a clear understanding of both the performance skills and the technical job skills/job knowledge that have been identified as required for the particular job.

Panel interviews will be conducted with selected candidates. Some roles may require presentations, a review of portfolios or testing as part of the interview process.

Supply interviews
Human Resource Services conducts supply interviews on a regular basis for positions such as EA, DECE, occasional teachers and custodians. SCDSB principals support this interview and decision-making process.

Job offer and on-boarding

The successful candidate will be contacted with an offer and given the opportunity to accept or decline. If you are a new employee, an online orientation will be provided. Please note that a new employee cannot start in their role until a physical hard copy of an original police record check that is no older than 6 months is verified by SCDSB staff.

When you are offered employment, you will be provided with a letter that confirms which type of police record check you are required to complete, as some staff will require a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) and others will require a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC). All student-facing positions require the VSC.

References

All candidates will be asked to provide consent for contacting their references. This may be done at time of application through the Apply to Education (ATE) posting or at the time of an interview via the Reference Consent Form.

If you are asked to provide your references at the time of application, they may be contacted prior to an interview. The SCDSB requires two professional supervisory references. There must be a reporting relationship with the references you provide (e.g. references from a colleague would not be acceptable). We ask that you provide your references’ name, title, organization, email and phone number. Please ensure all contact information is up to date before providing your references.

Regrets

Unsuccessful candidates who were interviewed will be notified when the successful candidate has completed the offer process. The SCDSB is open to providing interview feedback upon request. Please contact the individual who invited you to the interview or Human Resource Services ([email protected]) for this information.

Police record check

The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is committed to providing a safe and secure working and learning environment for students and employees. As a condition of employment and in accordance with Regulation 521/01 of the Education Act, the SCDSB requires employees and/or service providers to submit a satisfactory police record check prior to commencing employment.

Depending on the position you are being hired for, you will be required to apply for one of two types of police record checks: a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) or a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC).

Where can I get my police record check?
If you reside in Simcoe County, the following police stations provide background checks:

  • Barrie: Barrie Police Services
  • Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil: South Simcoe Police Services
  • Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Orillia, Midland, Muskoka, New Tecumseth, Alliston: Ontario Provincial Police

If you live outside of Simcoe County, please obtain a police record check from police services in the jurisdiction you reside in. The police station may require a letter from the employer. A letter will be provided to you from Human Resource Services in your offer email.

Background checks completed by a private company or organization will not be accepted.

Does the SCDSB cover the cost of obtaining a police record check?
No, the SCDSB does not cover the cost of obtaining a police record check. The applicant is responsible for the application fee.

How current does the police record check need to be?
A police record check issued up to six months from the date of the job offer is acceptable.

What happens if I don’t have a “Clear” police record check?
If a police record check indicates evidence of a criminal record, confirmation of the applicant's duties will be postponed pending a review of the information. A criminal offense on the record will not necessarily disqualify the applicant. The final hiring decision will be made by the Superintendent of Human Resource Services and the Senior Manager of Human Resource Services, or designate, in consideration of various factors, including but not limited to the nature of the offence, length of time since the offence, steps to rehabilitation, and degree of cooperation during the deliberation.

What if I don’t submit a police record check?
If you are unable to submit a police record check before commencing employment with the SCDSB, your start date may be postponed until receipt of the completed police check.

You are asked to reach out to your contact in Human Resources if you are unable to submit for reasons beyond your control, such as police services processing time or due to emergency situations. Exceptions to the timeline of providing a satisfactory police record check may be possible in extenuating circumstances, in agreement with the Superintendent of Human Resource Services and Senior Manager, Human Resource Services.

Failure to provide a police record check prior to commencement of employment, or without notice to the Board, may result in withdrawal of the applicants offer of employment.

Can I provide a copy of my police record check?
The SCDSB requires an original copy of your police record check. Please make a copy of your police record check or email the original police record from the police services or submit an original physical copy. Photocopied versions are not accepted.