How to hire a per diem substitute teacher

How to hire a per diem substitute teacher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step per diem substitute teacher hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a per diem substitute teacher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new per diem substitute teacher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The per diem substitute teacher hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a per diem substitute teacher to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a per diem substitute teacher that fits the bill.

   This list presents per diem substitute teacher salaries for various positions.

   Type of Per Diem Substitute Teacher	Description	Hourly rate
   Per Diem Substitute Teacher		$13-23
   Teacher Internship	Teaching interns are individuals who assist teachers and educators in the classroom. The interns are instructed to fulfill the tasks set out and provided by the supervisors for them... Show more	$16-32
   Teacher/Tutor	A teacher/tutor is primarily in charge of facilitating discussions and other learning activities for students. Their duties typically revolve around developing lesson plans and teaching materials, assessing the progress of students through quizzes and examinations, assisting students in areas they find difficult, and helping them develop their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills... Show more	$12-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Classroom Management
   • Per Diem
   • Mathematics
   • Social Studies
   • ESL
   • Physical Education
   • Classroom Environment
   • NYC
   • Language Arts
   • Learning Process
   • Public Schools
   • Learning Environment
   • Pre-Kindergarten
   • K-5

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the classroom environment and help students to learn in the absence of the regular teacher with grades levels k-5.
   • Assist students with reading skills development, language arts, mathematics and social studies both on-on-one and in small groups.
   • Enforce the school's standards for the literacy and mathematics programs.
   • Have also teach special education, AIS, resource, and ESL.
   • Attend parent conferences, faculty and team meetings, IEP meetings, and professional development days.
   • Adapt IEP goals; make recommendations about environmental needs, and providing intervention strategies at home and in preschool.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your per diem substitute teacher job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A per diem substitute teacher salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, per diem substitute teachers' average salary in south carolina is 40% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level per diem substitute teachers earn 43% less than senior-level per diem substitute teachers.
   • Certifications. A per diem substitute teacher with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a per diem substitute teacher's salary.

   Average per diem substitute teacher salary

   $37,053yearly

   $17.81 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level per diem substitute teacher salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a per diem substitute teacher job description

   A per diem substitute teacher job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a per diem substitute teacher job description:

   Per diem substitute teacher job description example

   JOB PURPOSE:Enable children to pursue their education as smoothly and completely as possible in the absence of the regular teacher.
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   Instruction
   
   * Reviews with the principal, supervisor and/or designated teacher the plans and schedule to be followed during the teaching day.
   * Teaches the lessons prepared by the absent teacher.
   * Reports in writing the day's activities at conclusion of each day and provides other feedback as requested by the building principal.
   * Follows all school and CSUSA policies, rules, and procedures to which regular teachers are subject and which good teaching practice dictates.
   * Consults, as appropriate, with the building principal and/or supervisor before initiating any lesson or other procedure not specified in the teacher's plans.
   
   Student Management
   
   * Maintains as fully as possible the established routines and procedures of the school and classrooms to which they are assigned.
   * Assumes responsibility for overseeing pupil behavior in class and at other times during the school day as requested.
   * Maintains appropriate student behavior at all times throughout the school day for assigned students.
   
   School/Community Relations
   
   * Maintains good relations with the faculty and staff of the district.
   * Treats information about students and staff with utmost confidence.
   
   MAY PERFORM OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
   
   DISCLAIMER
   
   The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
   
   SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
   
   * Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment toward the job and the mission of the company; supports the company's values in the strategic areas of academic excellence, operational performance, superior culture, and financial health and growth, as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
   * Works and interacts with staff and relates to individuals at all levels of the organization; relates to individuals at all levels. As unique situations present themselves, the incumbent must be sensitive to corporate needs, employee goodwill, and the public image.
   * Time Management - Prioritizing, Organizing, Scheduling
   * Computer Basics - Windows (Word, Excel, Outlook).
   * Communication - Oral (including presentations), Written, Interpersonal (active listening), Negotiating and Influencing.
   
   JOB REQUIREMENTS
   
   * BS/BA degree or equivalent experience.
   * Completion of District's Substitute Workshop.
   * Commitment to company values.
   * Such alternatives to the above requirements as CSUSA may find appropriate and acceptable.
   
   WORK ENVIRONMENT
   
   While performing the responsibilities of this position, the work environment characteristics listed below are representative of the environment the employee will encounter:
   
   * Usual schools working conditions.
   * May be noisy during high student traffic.
   
   TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
   
   * Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with CSUSA salary and benefit policy. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by Charter Schools USA.
   * This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.
   
   FLSA OVERTIME CATEGORY
   
   Job is non-exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
   
   EVALUATION
   
   Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Charter Schools USA's Policy.
   
   DECLARATION
   
   Human Resources retains the sole right and discretion to make changes to this job description. Any employee making changes unauthorized by the CEO or the VP of Human Resources will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
   
   #CITYND
   
   Renaissance at Chickasaw-FL930

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right per diem substitute teacher for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your per diem substitute teacher job on Zippia to find and recruit per diem substitute teacher candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as k12jobspot, learn4good, serious teachers, teachingjobs.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with per diem substitute teacher candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new per diem substitute teacher

   Once you've found the per diem substitute teacher candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new per diem substitute teacher. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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