If you have ever stopped by the Employment Unit within the Department of Human Resources you may have noticed that things move at a brisk pace. While there is never a slow time or a shortage of work to be done, now is a particularly busy time.

Mid-March through November is Employment's busiest time of year.

Budget allocations and staffing plans for the ensuing school year are sent to schools and departments in March. New staffing plans, surplus information and vacancy notices are then turned in to Employment to begin the staffing process for the upcoming school year.

Internal postings are created for all known vacancies in each unit. Employment oversees the internal and external selection process and maintains the records for each of them. It is not uncommon for one teacher or EA vacancy to result in the posting of five more vacancies due to the internal transfers that take place.

At the same time, Employment staff are recruiting, screening and ranking external candidates in the applicant pool. MMSD receives over 2,400 applications each year through the electronic applicant system. Hundreds of referrals are made from the applicant pool to fill more than 200 teacher unit vacancies and more than 80 classified (EA, custodial, food service, trades and security assistants) vacancies each year. More than 300 new substitutes are also hired each year and approximately ten new administrators.

In addition, around 350 summer school staff are hired at this time.

Each time an external hire is recommended, Employment staff prepare the official written offer and complete the final steps of pre-employment screening, such as criminal record checks, verifying licenses, securing transcripts, scheduling pre-employment physicals and ultimately issuing a contract or confirming a final offer of employment. Further, Employment staff builds the Human Resource Information System database that drives the payroll and benefits system and interfaces with position allocation controls in the budget.

In March the Employment Unit also issues approximately 2,400 teacher contracts for the ensuing school year. A copy of each signed contract is returned to Employment where it is logged into the system to confirm the returning staff.

Keyboards are tapping and phones are ringing but there is no lack of smiles, laughter and treats (we are known within the Doyle building for our awesome treats). The Employment Unit runs smoothly thanks to the exceptional staff who put in countless hours and are always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. These individuals are committed to performing outstanding work and providing the quality customer service that you have come to expect.

If you ask them why they enjoy working here, you will universally hear that they like their co-workers and care about their work. They recognize the impact their work has on schools and are dedicated to our district. They are an outstanding team whose efforts and commitment are greatly valued.

The Employment unit took a moment from their busiest time of the year for this photo. They are (seated) June Glennon, Susan Harris, Sally Franson and Allison Heil; (standing) Beth Weber, Elaine Wirsbinski, Laura Harrington, Louise Fosdick, Tara Heller, Emily Moe and Tina Anderson. Not pictured: Jean Funcke and Kimberlee Smith.