Join the ESS-Philadelphia Team!
Make a Difference and Become a Substitute.
Working as a substitute is an exciting and rewarding way to give back to the Philadelphia community and make a difference in the lives of students.
Whether you’re a recent college graduate looking to work your way into a full-time teaching position, a retired teacher interested in getting back into the classroom, or anyone looking to make a positive contribution to the development of children, ESS has a place for you.
We offer excellent employee perks, including health benefits, training, support, weekly pay, 401(k), bonus opportunities, award programs, and more. Plus, working as a substitute is extremely flexible – when, where, and how often you work is entirely up to you.
Why Become a Substitute in Philadelphia?
- Flexible Schedule: Substitutes have flexible schedules, ideal for those balancing other commitments or seeking part-time work.
- Skill Development: Substitutes develop a wide range of skills, including classroom management, adaptability, and creative problem-solving, which are valuable in many career paths.
- Community Engagement: Being a substitute teacher offers the opportunity to engage with and contribute to the Philadelphia community, building relationships with students, teachers, and parents.
- Pathway to Full-Time Teaching: For those interested in a teaching career, substituting can be a stepping stone to full-time positions in the School District of Philadelphia, offering valuable experience and networking opportunities.
- Personal Fulfillment: There’s a great sense of accomplishment in knowing you’ve helped students learn and grow, even just for a day.
How To Get Started
Attend a Virtual Onboarding Meeting
At this meeting, you’ll learn everything you need to know about becoming an ESS substitute. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with ESS employees, ask questions, learn about the company, and hear about all the amazing perks available to you.
Dates: Every Wednesday in the month of November.
Wednesday, November 27th
Wednesday, December 4th
Wednesday, December 11th
Wednesday, December 18th
Time
3:30 pm
Complete Your Online Application
Click the Apply button below to start our user-friendly online application. After you apply, an ESS team member will be assigned to you to help you through the hiring process. Substitute candidates must complete their application and I-9 documentation before attending the in-person meeting in Step 3.
Join an In-Person I-9 Processing & Photo ID Session
At this session, you will need to provide your proper forms of ID for I-9 verification and have your photo taken for your ESS badge. Click here for a list of the proper forms of ID for I-9 verification. Also, be sure you’ve completed your digital I-9 form during your application process prior to attending this meeting.
Job Perks for Philadelphia Substitutes
Some of the perks that substitute working in the School District of Philadelphia will enjoy include:
- Appreciation Days
- ESS Marketplace
- Monthly Raffle
- Flash Promotions
- Meet & Greets
- Performance Incentives
- Holiday Giveaways
- Referral Bonus
- Work & Win
- Extra Pay Fridays
Frequently Asked Questions
In order to work as a substitute in the School District of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania, you need to meet certain requirements. The ESS team will support you throughout the hiring process and can help cover the cost of background clearances up to $125.
Education for Substitutes
- Teachers: Bachelor’s degree or a PA teacher certification
- Nurses: Valid RN license
- Clerical Personnel: High school diploma or GED
- Classroom Assistant: High school diploma or GED
- Support Services Assistant: High school diploma or GED
- Food Service Employee: High school diploma or GED
Clearances for Substitutes
- PA Department of Education Form 6004: Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification - Act 24
- PA State Police Criminal History Clearance - Act 34
- Federal Criminal History Clearance - Act 114
- Mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training - Act 126
- Child Abuse Clearance - Act 151
- Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release - Act 168
- Negative tuberculosis test
Substitutes can start working within 2-4 weeks, but the timeframe can be shorter or longer depending on obtaining your Pennsylvania clearances. To expedite the process, gather the documents you may already have, such as transcripts. If you have any issues during the application process, contact the ESS-Philadelphia team.
| Position | Pay Rate | Rate Type |
| Daily Uncertified Substitute Teachers, Librarians | $151.76 | Daily |
| Daily Certified Substitute Teachers, Librarians, Counselors | $185.10 | Daily |
| Daily Certified Substitute Teachers, Librarians, Counselors (Retired) | $249.06 | Daily |
| Long-Term Substitute Teachers, Librarians, Counselors | $225.00 | Daily |
| Long-Term Substitute Teachers, Librarians, Counselors (Retired) | $254.92 | Daily |
| Substitute Nurses | $ 70.00 | Hourly |
| Substitute Nurses (Retired) | $ 75.00 | Hourly |
| Substitute Secretaries * | $ 15.00 | Hourly |
| Substitute Classroom Assistants * | $ 15.00 | Hourly |
| Substitute Pre-K Assistant Teachers * | $ 15.00 | Hourly |
| Substitute Climate Staff * | $ 14.00 | Hourly |
| Substitute Support Service Assistants * | $ 15.00 | Hourly |
| Substitute Food Service Assistants * | $ 14.00 | Hourly |
| * These positions will receive a $25 bonus per day in the 2024/25 school year. | ||
Substitute employees are paid every Friday and can choose to receive their payment via direct deposit or our free debit card program.
ESS offers training to ensure substitutes are well-prepared, confident, and successful in an assignment. Depending on the type of substitute employee, we require specific training modules to be completed. Training topics can include a company overview, policies and procedures, behavior management, and engagement techniques.
ESS offers numerous benefits for substitute employees working in the School District of Philadelphia.
- Health Insurance: ESS offers several benefit plans that can be customized to you and your family. Insurance options include health, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, long-term disability, and critical illness.
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan: Substitute employees can participate in a 401(k) retirement savings plan, which includes a discretionary company match.
- Bonuses and Incentives: ESS provides bonuses and incentive programs for substitutes who accept assignments on specific dates and locations, as well as for substitutes who work multiple assignments within a specific time frame.
Substitute Teacher
A substitute teacher working in the School District of Philadelphia plays a crucial role in maintaining the continuity of education when the regular teacher is absent. Their duties include delivering lesson plans, maintaining classroom management, ensuring a positive and safe learning environment, and working with school staff to ensure a smooth school day.
Substitute Classroom Assistant
A substitute classroom assistant assists the classroom teacher in providing extra support to students with special needs, promoting maximum academic and personal growth. The substitute classroom assistant’s responsibilities range from supplementing the regular classroom curriculum to helping individual students. Substitute classroom assistants are also known as school aides, teacher’s assistants, instructional aides, one-to-one aides, and personal care assistants.
Substitute Counselor
The substitute counselor's primary role in SDP is to help any student needing academic, social, and emotional assistance and provide activities and services that will enhance the quality of the student's school experience. Counselors work cooperatively with administrators, teachers, parents, other support personnel, and the community to develop a quality program that best meets the individual student's needs.
Substitute Clerical Personnel
Substitute clerical personnel provide administrative and other support to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the office or department and promote a safe and orderly environment for students. They are also known as secretaries, clerks, administrative assistants, and receptionists.
Substitute Climate Staff
Substitute climate staff help SDP staff during lunch and recreation periods. They monitor students' behavior in and around the school building and prepare and serve food during mealtimes.
Substitute Food Service
A substitute food service employee plays an integral role in preparing and delivering meals to students in a clean, safe, and healthy environment.
Substitute Nurse
A substitute nurse (RN requirement) assists in providing the fullest possible educational opportunity for students by minimizing absence due to illness and creating a climate of health and well-being in the schools.
Support Services Assistant
A substitute support services assistant assists teaching and non-teaching staff in schools within the Title I program. They participate in a cooperative effort to support students who are economically or educationally disadvantaged. They provide instructional assistance in the classrooms in major subject areas, which include reading and mathematics, and facilitative services to non-instructional staff to support the program's overall objectives. Substitute support services assistants assist teachers in preparing and during instructional activities, address the tutorial needs of students as identified, and assist SDP staff in developing parent workshops.
Substitute PreK Teacher’s Assistant
Substitute teacher’s assistants in the PreK program support classroom teachers in the SDP’s Prekindergarten Head Start Program. They help teachers in all aspects of the instructional process designed to advocate students' social and academic readiness for subsequent entrance into the kindergarten program. They assist teachers in the preparation of and during the conduct of instructional activities, provide supplemental instruction to students individually or in groups, and confer with teachers to meet the social and physical needs of the children.
Programs for Philadelphia Substitutes
Shadow Program
We help instill substitute teachers with the confidence they need to enter a classroom on their first day. New substitute teachers can shadow a tenured guest teacher for up to three days to build their confidence and skill in managing their own classroom.
Philly Friends Referral
If you work for ESS or the School District of Philadelphia and you know someone who would make an excellent substitute teacher, we want to hear from you! Fill out our Philly Friends Referral form below. If your friend applies, gets hired, and meets the eligibility requirements, you’ll receive a $200 bonus.
Career Kickstart Incentive
Through our Career Kickstart program, newly hired ESS staff are eligible for compensation for some of the costs associated with required credentials.
Need More Information
If you have any questions or need help, please email SDPSubs@ESS.com or call 215.261.5523.