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Pasco schools seek subs for classroom and other duties

By Jeffrey S. Solochek, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, July 5, 2008

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LAND O'LAKES — A good substitute custodian is increasingly hard to find for Pasco County schools.

That's why the district is conducting a job fair to attract people who want to be not only custodians, but also food service workers and teacher aides.

"We feel like there's not a lot of full-time positions, but there are great opportunities to be a sub to get your foot in the door and to get acclimated and get some on-the-job training as a substitute," human resources supervisor Terry Aunchman said.

Officials plan to offer on-site training during the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rushe Middle School, 18654 Mentmore Blvd. in Land O'Lakes.

"They can choose food and nutrition, custodial, they can choose ESE instructional assistant or pre-K instructional assistant," Aunchman said. "We have members from each of those departments who will give an overview of what to expect in each of those areas."

The district also will conduct background checks with fingerprinting, which costs $61.

District officials have reduced the number of work hours for some school-related personnel jobs, which has caused some employees to lose benefits.

But this job fair is not directed at getting those workers back to full-time status. It is simply aimed at finding people to step in as needed when a permanent worker calls in sick or schedules a vacation.

Aunchman said he expected a decent turnout for the event, as many people have called seeking employment as the economy has soured. Interest also has been high in instructional positions in Pasco, one of the few districts in Florida that is growing and hiring.

"It's a very competitive market this year," he said. "I've talked to principals who tell me when they run a job ad, for example elementary schools for an elementary ed position, they're getting as many as 200 applicants per position."

Jeffrey S. Solochek can be reached at solochek@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4614. For education news, visit the Gradebook at blogs.tampabay.schools.