New Hire FAQ

  • Thank you for your interest in supporting our students - this is where you can find information about becoming an employee in Washoe County School District.

    All Employees

    Q: Who can answer my questions?

    A: Once you have accepted an offer of employment with us, your primary point of contact at the district office will be your Human Resources Technician.  HR Techs, as we call them, support employees by location and you can find out which HR Tech supports your school or department by taking a look at our Human Resources Support Teams.  Your HR Tech will be able to give you better information once we have received your hiring paperwork from your new supervisor.

    Q: What do I need to do before starting work?

    A:  All new employees need to complete an orientation, complete the federal employment eligibility verification (I-9) process, and be fingerprinted by WCSD Police.  Your HR Tech will work with you on scheduling orientation once we have your hiring paperwork. This is a list of acceptable documents for the I-9 process.  The Fingerprinting Office website is where you can learn more about fingerprinting and schedule a fingerprinting appointment

     


    Certified Employees 

    Q: Which employees are certified employees? 

    A: Most positions requiring a license (Teacher, Counselor, School Nurse, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, etc) are certified positions. This is the largest employee group in WCSD. 

    Q: Where can I see the certified contract?

    A: The certified contract is a negotiated agreement between Washoe County School District (WCSD) and Washoe Education Association (WEA).  WCSD and WEA re-negotiate the terms of this agreement every 2-5 years. 

    Q: What will my salary be?

    A: The certified salary schedule is part of the negotiated agreement.  Salary placement is determined by level of educational attainment and years of qualified experience.  We need official transcripts to verify level of educational attainment, as defined by this WCSD board policy.  In general, we first determine the highest degree earned - Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate, and then add up any credits earned since that highest degree was conferred. We need verification from previous employers in order to verify years of qualified experience, as defined by this WCSD board policy.  In general, we will honor and count all years (during which 50% or more of the contract days were completed) of licensed, half-time or greater, contracted, public school teaching experience in Nevada PLUS up to 10 years of licensed, full-time, contracted, public school teaching experience in other states PLUS up to two years of non-public (private) school teaching experience PLUS up to two years of military service.  The salary schedule's initial step is currently step 6, meaning that brand-new teachers with no contracted teaching experience start at step 6 and teachers with some years of qualified experience start at step [that number of years plus six] up to step 24, which is the ultimate step on the current salary schedule.  There is a 5-8% salary bonus for National Board Certification for teachers and counselors. Certified employees are paid over 12 months, on the 22nd of each month, or the last business day before the 22nd of the month if that day falls on a weekend or holiday.  For every year of full-time employment in WCSD, certified employees move up one step on the salary schedule, which usually results in an increase in pay, pending WCSD School Board and budget approvals. 

    Q: Where can I find information regarding National Board Certification and pay?

    A: Information regarding the various National Board certifications and bonuses can be found in this WCSD administrative procedure

    Q: What will I need to bring in for orientation?

    A: When you schedule orientation with your HR Tech, you will receive a welcome letter, which lists the information you will need in order to complete hiring paperwork:  

    • A copy of your current, valid Nevada educator license showing that you hold the credentials required for the position you have accepted
    • A signed and dated pre-employment understanding (which you will receive from your new supervisor)
    • Official transcripts for the highest degree you have earned, plus any credits earned since that degree was conferred
    • Completed verification of employment forms to verify your years of qualified experience
    • Identification for fingerprinting and I-9 (see above under All Employees for more information and acceptable documents)
    • Conviction report (if applicable)
    • National Board Certification (if applicable)
    • DD214 form if you have served in the military

     


     ESP/Classified Employees

    Q: Which employees are ESP/Classified employees? 

    A: Most non-licensed support staff are considered Education Support Professionals.  Teacher Aides and Assistants, Bus Drivers, Nutrition Services workers, Custodians, Secretaries, Groundskeepers, Clerks, Clinical Aides, and all of the other people who make teaching and learning possible are our Education Support Professionals.

    Q: Where can I see the ESP contract?

    A: The ESP contract is a negotiated agreement between Washoe County School District (WCSD) and Washoe Education Support Professionals (WESP).  WCSD and WESP re-negotiate the terms of this agreement every 2-5 years. 

    Q: What will I be paid?

    A: ESPs are paid hourly wages depending on the grade of the position, the number of hours they work, and whether they choose to pay into the Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS) pension system or have WCSD pay the entire pension contribution.  New ESP employees start at the initial step of the salary schedule and move up one step for every year of service in WCSD.  


    Licensed Administrators

    Q: Which employees are Licensed Administrators? 

    A: All of our Assistant Principals and Principals, plus some administrators in the district office are licensed administrators. They hold credentials from the Nevada Department of Education in School or Program Administration. 

    Q: Where can I see the Licensed Administrator contract?

    A: The Licensed Administrator contract is a negotiated agreement between Washoe County School District (WCSD) and Washoe School Principals' Assocation (WSPA).  WCSD and WSPA re-negotiate the terms of this agreement every 2-5 years. 

    Q: What will I be paid?

    A: Licensed Administrators' salaries are determined by the current site-based management report, including range of the school, contractual months (10, 11, or 12) of the position and level of educational attainment of the employee.  New administrators start at the initial step of the salary schedule and move up one step for every year of administrative experience in WCSD, pending WCSD School Board and budget approvals.

     


    Professional & Technical Administrators (Pro-Techs)

    Q: Which employees are ProTechs? 

    A: Many district office administrators in positions that do not require a license issued by the Nevada Department of Education are Professional & Technical Administrators, or Pro-Techs.  

    Q: Where can I see the Pro-Tech contract?

    A: The Pro-Tech contract is a negotiated agreement between Washoe County School District (WCSD) and the Assocation of Professional & Technical Administrators (APTA).  WCSD and APTA re-negotiate the terms of this agreement every 2-5 years. 

    Q: What will I be paid?

    A: Pro-Techs' salaries are determined by the grade of the position.  New employees start at the initial step of the salary schedule and move up one step for every year of service in WCSD, pending WCSD School Board and budget approvals.  


    School Police Officers

    Q: Which employees are School Police Officers? 

    A: The officers, detectives, and sergeants of Washoe County School District Police Department (WCSDPD) are School Police officers.  

    Q: Where can I see the School Police Officers' contract?

    A: The School Police Officers' contract is a negotiated agreement between Washoe County School District (WCSD) and Washoe County School Police Officers' Association (WCSPOA).  WCSD and WCSPOA re-negotiate the terms of this agreement every 2-4 years. 

    Q: What will I be paid?

    A: School Police Officers are paid hourly wages depending on the position and the number of hours they work.  New employees start at the initial step of the salary schedule and move up one step for every year of service in WCSDPD, pending WCSD School Board and budget approvals.  Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate and can be taken as pay or compensatory time.