Teacher Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Teacher Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Hawaii State Department of Education

Teacher Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please click on the category that best fits your situation:

I am THINKING ABOUT APPLYING
I SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION
I am CURRENTLY EMPLOYED with the Hawaii DOE as a Teacher, School Librarian, or School Counselor

I am THINKING about Applying
I SUBMITTED an Application
I am CURRENTLY EMPLOYED with the Hawaii DOE as a Teacher, School Librarian, or School Counselor
- I have a change in address and/or phone number. Who do I inform?
- Who can I contact with questions?
Miscellaneous
- How can I contact the Teacher Recruitment Unit?

ANSWERS:

I am THINKING about Applying

How do I apply for a position?

All of Hawaii’s public schools fall under the administration of one school system, with the exception of Hawaii’s charter schools. Within the state system, there are seven school districts. A single application enters the applicant into the recruitment pool from which lists of eligible candidates are established for vacancies in all seven districts.

To begin the application process, please submit an application. You may apply online at http://doe.k12.hi.us/personnel/teachers_applying.htm. If you prefer a paper copy of the application, you may stop by the Teacher Recruitment office to pick one up or send a 9” x 12” self-addressed stamped (3 stamps) envelope to:

State of Hawaii
Department of Education
Office of Human Resources
Teacher Recruitment Unit
680 Iwilei Road, Suite 490
Honolulu, HI 96817
Can I submit a resume to apply for a position?

No, you cannot apply for a position by submitting just your resume. You many include your resume with your application and supporting documents. However, an application is still necessary to apply for a position.
What is the application process?

The first step in the application process is to submit an application and all supporting documents. These documents may include the following:
1. Student Teacher Evaluation OR Confidential Report on Applicant Forms OR Letters of Recommendation
  1. Submit a Final Student Teacher Evaluation if you are a recent graduate of a teacher education program from a college/university in Hawaii
  2. Submit One (1) Confidential Report on Applicant form if you are a recent graduate of a teacher education program outside of Hawaii
  3. Submit Two (2) Confidential Report on Applicant forms if you have one or more years of contracted teaching experience
  4. Submit Two (2) Letters of Recommendation if you have NOT completed a teacher education program
2. Official Transcripts for your bachelor’s degree and any credits or degrees earned after the bachelor’s degree.
3. Legible copies (front and back, including coding information) of valid teaching credentials, if applicable
4. Verification of Employment Forms, if applicable
5. Military Certificate (DD-214), if applicable
The second step in the application process is to complete and pass a structured/state-level interview with an authorized Department representative.

Upon successfully submitting your application, supporting documents, and completing and passing the structured/state-level interview, your name will be entered into the Department’s teacher applicant pool. The Personnel Regional Office (District Office) refers a list of eligible applicants to each vacancy for employment consideration and selection. The school principal and/or designated representative(s) will utilize this list to contact eligible applicants they would like to interview for the vacancy at their school.

How do I schedule a structured/state-level interview?

If you are applying from Oahu, you will receive a telephone call from our office to schedule this interview.

If you are applying from Hawai’i, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, or Lanai, please contact the appropriate office below to schedule this interview.

For out-of-state applicants, if you are planning on visiting the State of Hawai’i, you may wish to schedule your structured/state-level interview during your visit. Approximately one month prior to the date you are interested in scheduling an interview appointment, you may contact the appropriate office on the island you will be visiting:

Teacher Recruitment Contacts
Island	Telephone Number	Office
Oahu	1-800-305-5104 808-586-3420	Teacher Recruitment Unit Teacher Recruitment Unit
Hawai’i	808-974-6605	Hawai’i Personnel Regional Office
Kauai	808-274-3506	Kauai Personnel Regional Office
Maui	808-984-8000	Maui Personnel Regional Office
Molokai & Lanai	808-984-8000	Maui Personnel Regional Office

How long is my application good for? How long am I eligible for referral in the applicant pool before I have to reapply?

If you already had your structured/state-level interview, your application will be kept on file for two (2) years from the date you are entered into the applicant pool. If you are not hired within that time period, your application will be inactivated and you will need to reapply.

If you have NOT had your structured/state-level interview, your application will be kept on file for two (2) years from the date you submitted your application. If you were not able to schedule an interview within that time period, your application will be inactivated and you will need to reapply. If you are able to schedule and pass the interview within that time period, then the policy stated in the previous paragraph would apply.
What types of positions are you recruiting for?

The Teacher Recruitment Unit handles the recruitment of teachers, school counselors and school librarians. The same application is used for all three positions. Teachers, school counselors and school librarians belong
to the same union and therefore the-licensing requirements as well as salaries are identical.

For the recruitment of other types of positions (Substitute Teachers, Educational Assistants, Principals, etc.), please visit: http://doe.k12.hi.us/personnel/index.htm
Where are your vacancies posted?

We do not post our vacancies. However, we do post a listing of our shortage areas on our “Job Opportunities” web page and on our recruitment schedule web page at: http://doe.k12.hi.us/personnel/recruitsched.htm
Are you still hiring? Are you still accepting applications?

Hiring continues beyond the start of the school year into the second semester of the school year. We accept applications for all subject areas year-round.
I’m licensed in another state. Do I need to be licensed in Hawaii?

Anyone hired must be committed to getting a valid Hawaii teacher license (even if you are licensed in another state). Candidates need not be licensed in the State of Hawaii upon initial employment. However, they must commit to attaining a Hawaii Teaching License within 3 years of employment. Individuals must show that they are actively pursuing a license each year.

Teachers with an out-of-state license may qualify for a Hawaii teaching license. For more information on current guidelines and licensing requirements and procedures, please visit the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board website at: http://www.htsb.org.

Please note that teacher licensing is handled by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, a separate agency from the Hawaii Department of Education. Please refer all questions regarding Hawaii Teacher licensing to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.
I was previously employed with the Hawaii DOE. Do I need to apply again?

Anyone who was previously employed and subsequently separated from the Department must submit a new application, complete the structured/state-level interview, and submit supporting documents, as applicable, for employment consideration.
What are your requirements?

To qualify for a teaching position with the Hawaii Department of Education individuals must have earned a bachelor’s degree and completed a State Approved Teacher Education Program from a regionally accredited college/university which includes student teaching in an elementary through high school setting. Other ways in which you may qualify is if you:
1. completed a state approved alternative licensure program
2. have a standard license and have taught under that license for three out of the last seven years in the state that issued the license
3. completed a teacher education program in another country for which transcripts have been evaluated by an acceptable foreign credential evaluation service

If you do not meet the above qualifications, you do not qualify as a certified teacher, school counselor or school librarian. However, if you possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree, you may apply for a teaching position, in your field of study. In order to teach at the elementary level, you must have completed a State Approved Teacher Education Program in Elementary.

Please keep in mind that your application will be considered for a position only after all qualified applicants have been placed. Please be aware that in order for you to obtain your standard/advanced Hawaii teaching license, you must complete meet the requirements of a State Approved Teacher Education Program. Presently, these requirements must be completed within the first three school years of your employment in order to continue to teach. However, this may change in the future: You will need to show pursuit of a teacher license each year and there is no guarantee for reemployment.

How do I know if the program I completed is a State Approved Teacher Education Program (SATEP)?

Please note that the designation "state approved" does not mean that the program must be approved in Hawaii, but that the program you completed is an approved teacher education program in the state in which you completed the program. A quick way to determine this would be to contact the program officials of the program that you completed.
I did not complete a teacher education program, can I still apply?

Please see the response to #11 above.
I did not complete a teacher education program. How do you determine the area in which I can teach?

We determine the area in which you can teach by determining the subject area of your completed degree(s). You may also indicate the areas in which you are able and willing to teach in the “Job Preferences” section of the application.
Can I apply if I completed my bachelor’s degree/teacher education program in a country other than the U.S.?

Credits from foreign universities are accepted only if verified as comparable to degree(s) from an accredited university in the United States. Regretfully, the Hawaii Department of Education does not have the necessary reference materials or staff to evaluate transcripts from foreign institutions properly. For an evaluation of your foreign credential(s), please contact:

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470, USA
Phone: (414) 289-3400
Fax: (414) 289-3411
Website: http://www.ece.org
E-mail: mailto:eval@ece.org

This agency specializes in assessing the equivalency of foreign degree programs. There is a fee for completion of such a report.

The evaluation of your foreign transcript(s) must indicate:
1. Comparability based on degree programs offered at accredited institutions in the United States.
2. Verification that the foreign institution is accredited.
3. Course-by-course evaluation.
Please have the agency send you the original evaluation. If the report indicates that you completed a teacher education or specialist preparation program, send your application, original evaluation, official transcripts, and other required documents to:

State of Hawaii
Department of Education
Office of Human Resources
Teacher Recruitment Unit
680 Iwilei Road, Suite 490
Honolulu, HI 96817

For further clarification, you may call (808) 586-3420 or 1-800-305-5104 (Continental US including Alaska).
Can I apply if I am NOT a U.S. citizen?

As a non-United States citizen, you must ensure that you are authorized to work in the United States in order to be employed with us. We are not able to sponsor visas or other types of employment authorization at this time. Authorization may be obtained with the assistance of an attorney in collaboration with the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration (formerly "Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)") and the Department of Labor.
If hired, what salary would I receive?

To access our current salary schedule for all newly hired employees, please visit: http://doe.k12.hi.us/personnel/teachersalaryschedule.htm
What types of benefits do you offer?

To access a listing of our benefits, please visit: http://doe.k12.hi.us/personnel/teachinginhawaii.htm (scroll down to "Employee Benefits")

I SUBMITTED an Application

What are the next steps in the application process?

The next step in the application process is to complete and pass a structured/state-level interview with an authorized Department representative.

Upon successfully submitting your application, supporting documents and structured/state-level interview, your name will be entered into the Department’s teacher applicant pool. The Personnel Regional Office (District Office) refers a list of eligible applicants to each vacancy for employment consideration and selection. The school principal and/or designated representative(s) will utilize this list to contact eligible applicants they would like to interview for the vacancy at their school.

I do not live in Hawaii, how can I complete the structured/state-level interview?

When funding is available, we send recruiters to various locations across the continental U.S. on Out-of-State Recruitment Trips. A few months before our recruiters start their trips, a recruitment schedule is posted and it includes dates, locations, contact information and instructions on what is needed in order to schedule an interview. When available, you may view the recruitment schedule by visiting: http://doe.k12.hi.us/personnel/recruitsched.htm. Priority for appointments on our recruitment trips are given to applicants who are certified in the shortage areas for which we are recruiting. These shortage areas are listed on the "Job Opportunities" web page at http://doe.k12.hi.us/personnel/index.htm.

If you are planning on visiting the State of Hawai'i, you may wish to schedule your structured/state-level interview during your visit. Approximately one month prior to the date you are interested in scheduling an interview appointment, you may contact the appropriate office on the island you will be visiting:

Teacher Recruitment Contacts
Island	Telephone Number	Office
Oahu	1-800-305-5104 808-586-3420	Teacher Recruitment Unit Teacher Recruitment Unit
Hawai’i	808-974-6605	Hawai’i Personnel Regional Office
Kauai	808-274-3506	Kauai Personnel Regional Office
Maui	808-984-8000	Maui Personnel Regional Office
Molokai & Lanai	808-984-8000	Maui Personnel Regional Office

Where can I find the Out-of-State Recruitment Schedule?

Please see response #2 above.
What supporting documents are required for a complete application?

These documents may include the following:
1. Student Teacher Evaluation OR Confidential Report on Applicant Forms OR Letters of Recommendation
  1. Submit a Final Student Teacher Evaluation if you are a recent graduate of a teacher education program from a college/university in Hawaii
  2. Submit One (1) Confidential Report on Applicant form if you are a recent graduate of a teacher education program outside of Hawaii
  3. Submit Two (2) Confidential Report on Applicant forms if you have one or more years of contracted teaching experience
  4. Submit Two (2) Letters of Recommendation if you have NOT completed a teacher education program
2. Official Transcripts for your bachelor's degree and any credits or degrees earned after the bachelor's degree.
3. Legible copies (front and back, including coding information) of valid teaching credentials, if applicable
4. Verification of Employment Forms, if applicable
Where do I submit the documents required?

Please send all required documents to the Teacher Recruitment Unit at:

State of Hawaii
Department of Education
Office of Human Resources
Teacher Recruitment Unit
680 Iwilei Road, Suite 490
Honolulu, HI 96817
How can I make changes to my application (contact information, recruitment locations preferences, etc.)?

Please contact the Teacher Recruitment Unit in writing by sending an e-mail to teacher_recruitment@notes.k12.hi.us, a fax to 808-586-4050, or a correspondence to the address mentioned in response #5 above.

Failure to notify us of changes in address and/or telephone number will result in the inactivation of your application.
How can I find out if you received the document(s) I submitted? You will receive an email confirmation that your online application was submitted. The message will explain the next step in the application process. If you submitted your application via mail or fax, you will receive correspondence indicating that your application was received and explaining the next step in the application process. After your application is formally reviewed (generally after your structured/state-level interview is complete), you will receive a letter indicating any items that are outstanding from your applicant file. The letter will also include the direct phone number for the staff member who worked on your file.
When should I expect to hear from schools?

When applying for the beginning of a new school year, you may not hear from a school until the end of June prior to the start of the school year. This is because the Transfer and Assignment program for tenured-teachers ends in May. If vacancies still exist, probationary teachers, followed by Hawaii licensed teachers, then followed by teachers that have completed a state approved teacher education program are considered for those vacancies. If you are applying for the current school year, you may hear from a school at anytime from the time you are entered into the applicant pool through to the ending of February. Referral priority is given to those who are Hawaii licensed or National Board Certified, those who have completed a State Approved Teacher Education Program (SATEP), and then those who have not completed a SATEP. In addition, within those categories, preference is given to local residents.
Why haven't I heard from a school yet?

There may be several factors: It is possible that there are no vacancies in your subject area, grade level preference or recruitment location preference Your file may not be in order, so please contact the Teacher Recruitment Unit. Your file may be missing documents like transcripts, Confidential Reports, and/or licenses, etc. You may also still need to complete and/or pass a structured/state-level interview. Please keep in mind that hiring continues after the start of the school year and continues into the second semester of the school year.

I am CURRENTLY EMPLOYED with the Hawaii DOE as a Teacher, School Librarian, or School Counselor

I have a change in address and/or phone number. Who do I inform?

Please inform your school's SASA (School Administrative Services Assistant) who will give you the appropriate form to send to the Certificated Records and Transaction Unit.
Who can I contact with questions?

Generally, the first line of contact will be your school's SASA (School Administrative Services Assistant). You may also contact the Teacher Recruitment Unit and we will do our best to provide the contact information for the appropriate unit/area. Once hired, the Teacher Recruitment Unit handles the following areas for NON-TENURED teachers:
1. New hire employment packets
2. Non-tenured teacher rehire contracts
3. Tracking of outstanding employment forms
4. Active pursuit documentation (Credential Tracking)
5. Reclassification for teachers who have NOT completed a SATEP

Miscellaneous

How can I contact the Teacher Recruitment Unit?

If you received any correspondence indicating a direct phone number and specific staff member to contact, this would be the best way to make contact.
- MAIL
  
  State of Hawaii
  Department of Education
  Office of Human Resources
  Teacher Recruitment Unit
  680 Iwilei Road, Suite 490
  Honolulu, HI 96817
  
  View Google Map
- PHONE
  - Main: (808)586-3420
  - From the Continental U.S. including Alaska: (800)305-5104
- FAX
  - (808)586-4050
- E-MAIL
  - teacher_recruitment@notes.k12.hi.us
- HOURS OF OPERATION
  - 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM
  - Monday through Friday
  - Closed on State Holidays
- PARKING
  - Limited 2-hour parking is available in the rear of the Dole Cannery Office building. Visitors may park in the first two designated rows only. All other parking is designated for COSTCO Wholesale patrons.
  - Additional validated parking is located above the Dole Cannery Theaters.
  - For those commuting by bus, check out bus routes and schedules at: www.thebus.org.
- OFFICE LOCATION
  
  Our office is located in the Dole Office Building. We are located on the 4th floor in Suite 490.
  - From the parking lot at the rear of the Dole Office Building: Walk through the building towards Iwilei Road. A bank of elevators is located at the far left corner of the building (facing Iwilei Road). Take the elevator to the 4th floor. Our office is Suite 490, the first door on your left.
  - From the parking structure above the theaters: In the parking structure, take the elevator to the 2nd floor. Follow the walkway that will cross over Iwilei Road and turn right at the end of the bridge. Take the elevator to the 4th floor. Our office is Suite 490, the first door on your left.

© Hawaii State Department of Education, P.O. Box 2360, Honolulu, HI 96804; Physical address: 1390 Miller St, Honolulu, HI 96813; phone: 808-586-3230; fax: 808-586-3234. All rights reserved. For problems/questions concerning this web site, please email the webmaster. Links to other web sites should not be considered an endorsement. DOE is not responsible for the content of external web sites.