Hundreds of candidates lined the hallways at the Frances E. Willard School in Kensington Wednesday in hopes of getting a job in the School District of Philadelphia.
Job seekers were able to meet with representatives from the district’s Office of Talent and hiring managers to learn details about various roles available.
Candidates also had the opportunity to apply for positions, take exams, be interviewed and speak with recruiters onsite.
The hiring event was the second stop on the district’s school-based hiring tour. The next school-based support hiring events will be held on July 24 at the Samuel Fels High School and Aug. 7 at Northeast Community Propel Academy.
“We had 1,650 people RSVP for the event, but we’re estimating that 25% of those RSVP’s show up which will be about 350 to 400 candidates,” said school district director of school based support and recruitment Zelika Shillingford.
“Our first event was at Roxborough High School and we had about 370 candidates show up,” she said. “For food services, we had 69 people who are scheduled for an interview this upcoming weekend or next week.
“For student climate staff, we had 120 show up,” she added. “Those are just two of our main roles that have high vacancies. We’re hoping to continue to build on that success with the remainder of our events.”
The district hopes to fill 1,000 vacancies for the 2024-25 school year, according to Shillingford.
Among the positions that need to be filled include bilingual counseling assistant, building engineers trainees, bus attendants, bus drivers, general cleaners, school nurses, special education assistant, student climate staff, supportive service assistant and various food service employees.
Shillingford said people interested in coming to the district’s hiring events should bring several copies of their resumes and dress business casual.
“Some people will come in, and they'll apply for a bus attendant and we'll see their resume and realize they are more qualified for a bus driver,” Shillingford said.
“That happens all the time so we're open to recruiting not just for school, because we have more positions,” she said. “We’re recruiting for everything.”
Stephanie Overton, lead climate and culture coach at the school district, said she was looking for candidates who were passionate about working with kids.
“They need to have a sense of empathy,” Overton said. “They also have to have strong relationship building skills and conflict resolution skills.
“Right now, we have more than 60 positions that are available in student climate staff,” she added. “If a principal comes to attend one of our sessions, they will interview them on the spot and hire them on the spot.”
Nicole Hunt, president of Unite Here Local 634, said the union has been working with the school district to make sure their members are both trained and compensated for those positions.The union represents 1,900 food service and student climate staff across 216 district schools.
“We want to make this process smooth for everyone involved,” she said.
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