Frequently Asked Questions About the Application Process

What is your mailing address?

Our mailing address is: Tuscaloosa City Schools
Personnel Department
P.O. Box 038991
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-8991

Do you have any job openings for ____________?

All positions are posted online at www.tuscaloosacityschools.com. You need to file an on-line application in order to apply for any job. Terminals are available in the Central Office lobby if needed.

The salary schedule is also online.

If you already work for the school system, you may view the positions online. You may then request a transfer form for the desired job and apply.

Can you call me when there’s an opening for a specific job?

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to do that. We a Web-site where all current job listings are posted. You will need to check those periodically to see if there are any jobs in which you are interested. You will be given the name of a contact person to call to let him/her know that you are interested in that particular job. You must have an online application on file with the central office, even if you have already sent a resume to a school or to the personnel office.

What kind of references do I need?

If you are applying for a teaching position you need three (3) letters of reference from your most recent employers or others who know your qualifications. These must be submitted with the online application.

If you’re applying for a support position, you don’t need reference letters, but you do need the names and addresses of three (3) business work references that are not related to you and are not previous supervisors. If you don’t have that, you can provide us with three (3) school or personal references that are not related to you.

I was fingerprinted in another state. Can’t you just use those results?

No. The law requires that a complete background check be done in the State of Alabama.

I would like to schedule an interview with the director of personnel.

Any initial interviews will be conducted by principals or directors. Once a person has been interviewed for a position and has been recommended by a principal or the Executive Director of Personnel will conduct the final pre-employment interview.

What kind of background checks do you do?

The Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 requires that you sign a form allowing us to check your criminal history with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We also require a fingerprint check.

The background check is not required until you are officially hired by the Board of Education. You will be notified of the correct procedure to follow at that time.

I want to become a substitute. What do I need to do?

Janet Covington is the specialist in charge of hiring all substitutes. If you have completed two years of college, you may apply to become a substitute by picking up an application at the reception desk during regular office hours.

Can I apply for more than one job at a time?

Yes. First you must have a completed online application on file. Next, get in touch with the contact person for the job or jobs you’re applying for. When the people responsible for posting the jobs get ready to do interviews, they will contact the people they wish to interview.

What do I need to turn in for my file to be complete?

If you are applying to become an aide, you must submit either transcripts showing that you have successfully completed 48 hours of course work at an accredited college or university, or proof that you have obtained an Associates Degree. For the rest of the support positions, all you need to do is to fill out the application itself.

If you are applying for a teaching position you need three (3) letters of reference, your official school transcript and a copy of your teaching certificate or application for certification.

Please do NOT submit any photos, copies of driver’s licenses, or Social Security cards.

How long will you keep my application active?

We will keep applications active in accordance with the Alabama State Department of Education quidelines.

Notice: All teachers hired by the Tuscaloosa City School System must be “Highly Qualified” as outlined in the “No Child Left Behind Act.” If you have any questions about whether or not you are Highly Qualified, please check the Alabama State Department of Education website at:

www.alsde.edu/html/HighlyQualified.asp