New Employee Information Center

Application Help & Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to our most commonly asked questions using the topic links below.

Application Questions

Click here to view frequently asked application questions

Q: Where can I find out about job openings?
- A: All available jobs are posted at https://jobs1.boiseschools.org/winocular/jobs/
Q: How can I apply?
- A: Complete an online application at https://jobs1.boiseschools.org/winocular/apply
Q: Which application do I need to fill out: certified, classified, administrative, or transfer?
- A: Classified (Non-Teaching applications are used when applying for a support position such as: Special Ed Assistant, School Support Assistant, ELL Tutor, Library Paraprofessional, Department Clerk, Administrative Assistant, JFK, Facilities and Custodial, Food Service, Occupational Therapist, Walk-On Coaches, Student/Intern, Classified/Non-credentialed Substitutes (applicants who hold a Bachelor's degree or higher may be considered for a certified substitute position via the classified application).
  
  Certified applications are used when applying for positions such as: Teacher, School Nurse, Media Specialist, Speech Therapist, School Counselor, School Psychologist, Social Worker, and Substitutes/Student Teachers who hold a valid certificate or who will hold a valid certificate.
  
  Administrative applications are used when applying for a certified, administrative position such as: Principal, Assistant Principal, Intern Principal, Director, etc.
  
  Transfer applications are for current Boise School District employees who wish to apply for an In-District Transfer (Student Teachers and Substitutes are not eligible for the Transfer Application).
Q: I forgot my on-line application system username and password. What do I do?
- A: If you are unable to log back into your current application, please follow the steps provided on the application Log-In page for procedures on how to obtain your previously established User ID and/or Password.
Q: How do I navigate through the online application?
- A: The easiest way to complete the application is to fill out each screen then click the 'Continue' button to proceed to the next screen. The list of sections on the left side will keep you informed of your progress. The current section is indicated by , completed sections are indicated by . On each screen required fields are indicated by .
Q: How do I submit my online application?
- A: Submit the application electronically by clicking the "submit" button in the "Submit Application" section of the application. Please note that you will be unable to submit the application if left incomplete (incomplete sections are flagged with a red square on the left menu).
Q: Do I need to complete the entire online application each time I wish to apply for a position?
- A: After submitting a complete application, you will not have to fill out the entire application again in the future, if applying for positions at another time. Your data will reappear the next time you login to your application to add positions.
Q: Do I need to choose a specific job opening in order to complete the online application?
- A: No. You may submit an application without choosing a specific job opening. However, to apply for administrative, classified, transfer, summer school, or after-school/evening school positions, you will need to add the position to your new or existing online application under the “Employment Preferences” section of the application. Once you have added the desired position(s), you will need to (re)submit the application to receive consideration. Certified applicants are not required to select the specific job to be considered; upon completion of a screening interview certified applicants will be considered for all qualifying openings.
Q: Can I save my online application and return at a later time?
- A: If you have not finished entering information, you may come back later and complete the online application. Your un-submitted data will be saved for 30 days before it will expire and be deleted. When you are ready to continue working on the application, revisit the site and log in with your User ID and password.
Q: What if I want to apply for positions in another job category(administrative, certified, or classified)?
- A: If you wish to apply for positions in more than one category, choose one to complete at this time and come back to complete the other(s). Common information between the applications will be stored so you will not have to re-enter it.
Q: Can I update my online application?
- A: After you have submitted a complete application, you may re-enter the system at any time to update or make changes to your application. Please note that changes will be sent to Employment & Benefits only if you click the "Submit" button in the Submit section at the left.
Q: How will I know if my application submitted successfully?
- A: You will receive a confirmation screen after clicking submit acknowledging a successful submission. If you have a valid e-mail address on file, you will also receive a notification via e-mail.
Q: How long is an application active?
- A: Your application will remain active until the end of the calendar year.
Q: Why am I getting an error when attempting to submit my application?
- A: Most submission errors occur because there is missing information on your application. All fields marked with a red arrow are required to be completed. Please check your application and make sure you have completed all required fields.
  
  Errors also occur when you have not entered information in the correct format. Fields requiring specific entry formatting are specially noted (e.g. dates, phone #’s).
  
  If you receive an error message when submitting your application after thoroughly checking for input errors, please contact Employment & Benefits @ (208) 854-4074 or employment@boiseschools.org

Supporting Documents Questions

Click here to view frequently asked supporting documents questions

Q: What supporting documents do I need to submit with my certified application?
- A: Certificates / Licenses, Transcripts, Praxis Exam or a copy of your highly qualified status according to the Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, and Resume. In addition Three Confidential Reference Forms must be completed and returned.
Q: What supporting documents do I need to submit with my classified application?
- A: Supporting documents are not required unless otherwise stated in the job posting. However, a resume is encouraged.
Q: What supporting documents do I need to submit with my administrative application?
- A: Certificates / Licenses, Transcripts, Administrative Essay Responses (if not filled out on Essay page), Resume, and Cover Letter. In addition Three Confidential Reference Forms must be completed and returned.
Q: What supporting documents do I need to submit with my transfer application?
- A: Supporting documents are not required unless stated otherwise in the job posting. However, a resume is encouraged.
Q: Can I submit my supporting documents via the online application?
- A: Yes. Supporting documents can be uploaded via the online application if they are in the following file formats: PDF (.pdf); RICH TEXT (.rtf); and TEXT (.txt). All other file types will be rejected. Files larger than 1 Megabyte will also be rejected.
Q: What if I have trouble submitting my supporting documents via the online application?
- A: If you have finished the entry portion of the online application and want the Employment & Benefits Staff to upload your documents, you must click “Continue” (located near bottom of supporting documents page) to move forward in the application and submit your application in order for the Employment & Benefits Staff to assist with uploading supporting documents. Supporting documents may be delivered to, The Boise Independent School District, Employment and Benefits Department, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, ID 83709 or emailed to employment@boiseschools.org after you have submitted your online application.
Q: Can I submit my online application if I do not have all my supporting documents?
- A: Yes. If you have finished the entry portion of the online application and choose not to upload documents at that time you must click “Continue” (located near bottom of supporting documents page) to move forward in the application. You may log back into your application at anytime to update information or upload documents after your application has been submitted.
Q: Do I have to re-submit my supporting documents each time I update my application?
- A: No. Your previously attached supporting documents will remain attached to your application, with the exception of the resume that must be re-submitted at the start of the calendar year.
Q: How long will you keep my supporting documents on file if I do not complete an online application?
- A: If you submit supporting documents without submitting an online application, they will be kept for two months before they are shredded.
Q: Do the transcripts have to be official?
- A: No, you do not need official transcripts in order to be considered for positions, but you must provide official transcripts upon hire if the position requires.
Q: Do I need to provide Three Letters of Recommendation or Placement File?
- A: Recommendation letters are no longer required, however if you are applying for certified or administrative positions, you must provide three professional references to complete and return our Confidential Reference Form.
Q: What is the Confidential Reference Form?
- A: The Confidential Reference Form is a professional reference form that is sent to your listed references. The form will be sent automatically online if an email address is provided for your references. If an email address is not provided the form may be downloaded and sent by you to your references (refer to directions in certified and administrative applications).

Certified Screening Interview Questions

Click here to view frequently asked certified screening interview questions

Q: What is a certified screening interview?
- A: A screening interview includes questions about your knowledge of your subject, your philosophy of education, and some examples of how you would teach a lesson. Once all certified application materials are received, the applicant will be scheduled a screening interview based upon district staffing needs. A specialist in your subject area will conduct the screening interview.
Q: Do I need a screening interview?
- A: All new certified applicants require a screening interview in order to be considered for contracted positions. Screening interviews are not required for certified summer, evening, and after-school positions, as well as all administrative positions.
Q: How soon can I expect to be contacted for a screening interview after I have applied?
- A: Interviews are generally scheduled within two weeks after your application file is complete; however, screening interviews are based upon interviewer schedule availability and district staffing needs.
Q: If I live out of state, how is a screening interview coordinated?
- A: Screening interviews can be conducted over the phone. The applicant will initiate the call at the scheduled time.
Q: Once I have been screened, what happens to my applicant file?
- A: After you have been screened your information is entered into our database. Your screening data is used to identify applicants for advertised positions. For each opening a manifest, or list of applicants, is created. This list is sent to the principal, who will contact those applicants for job interviews. Applicants are asked not to call the sites or the Employment & Benefits Department to request placement on a manifest.
Q: Do I need a screening every year?
- A: No. Applicants only need to screened one time for their subject area and do not need to be screened again if they update their application each year.

Teacher Certification Questions

Click here to view frequently asked teacher certification questions

Q: Can I apply for certified positions if I do not have a current Idaho teaching certification?
- A: If you are in the process of applying and will obtain Idaho certification prior to the job opening start date, you may be considered for openings.
Q: How is initial certification date defined?
- A: Idaho System of Educational Excellence (ISEE) Guidance Manual defines initial certification year as the date the applicant obtained first teaching certificate (Note: temporary permits to teach are not considered "initial certification")
Q: Where can I find more information on how to become a teacher in Idaho?
- A: Contact the Idaho State Department of Education. Or, the College of Education at a university that offers a teacher certification program. A representative from the College of Education should be able to tell you what it would take to complete the program. Or, contact the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence to find out how to become certified through ABCTE. Click here for FAQ about the ABCTE program and the Boise School District.
Q: Where do I apply for an Idaho teaching certificate?
- A: Contact the State Department of Education, Certification Office, Len B. Jordan Bldg., 650 W. State St., P.O. Box 83720-0027; 208-332-6800.
Q: Where can I find out more information about the State of Idaho NCLB Highly Qualified core content areas and requirements?
- A: Visit the Idaho State Department of Educations Highly Qualified Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions

Substitute Questions

Click here to view frequently asked substitute questions

Q: How can I be added to the BSD Substitute List
- A: In order to be put on the BSD Substitute List, you must complete the On-Line Application, if you meet our requirements we will contact you for a sub orientation. At the time of the orientation you will be fingerprinted (fee is non-refundable if you decide not to pursue employment as a substitute). We will collect the required paperwork and identification at that time.
Q: What do I need to provide BSD to become a Substitute?
- A: You must provide a copy of your transcripts showing you have a bachelor's degree OR a Teaching Certificate, a completed on-line application and your identification for the I-9. You must also bring your original social security card for payroll purposes, and a non-refundable check or money order for $40.00 made out to the Boise School District for your FBI fingerprints. You will be required to attend a one and a half hour substitute orientation. Certified applicants will be required to attend a three hour teacher training class (no exceptions allowed).
Q: Do Substitutes receive benefits?
- A: Substitutes do not receive benefits. This is an on-call, as needed basis position.
Q: I am already a Substitute. How can I update my profile?
- A: An update form is available here in .pdf format. Please print the form and send it to our office. Substitute Profile Update
Q: How often do I have to work?
- A: We require that you work at least two days a month to remain active on the substitute list.