Saturday, May 25, 2013

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Resources

Questions
1)  Where can I find out more about the educator license process?
2)  How do I find out about the status of my application?
3)  How do I become a volunteer, tutor or student intern?
4)  Is an online application sufficient or do I need to submit a hard copy resume?
5)  I don't have all of the required qualifications or application materials requested. Should I still apply for the job?
6)  Who do I contact to find out about health and dental insurance contribution rates?
7)  Where can I find out about salary rates?
8)  Who do I contact to learn more about a specific program, department, or school in the Somerville Public Schools?
9)  What is the process for current employees to request a leave of absence?
10)  How can current employees find out about their current sick, personal, or vacation day balances?
11)  SICK LEAVE BANK MEMBERSHIP
 
Answers
1)  Q Where can I find out more about the educator license process?
A
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) offers
information on their webpage at http://www.doe.mass.edu/educators/
2)  Q How do I find out about the status of my application?
A
Employment applications submitted on our webpage are considered active and will be
considered and reviewed in accordance with the appropriate search timeline. If you are
selected for an interview, a hiring manager will be in contact with you directly.
3)  Q How do I become a volunteer, tutor or student intern?
A
learn more about becoming a volunteer in Somerville, please visit the Volunteer
webapage Here: http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/Volunteer
4)  Q Is an online application sufficient or do I need to submit a hard copy resume?
A
All applicants for employment are encouraged to submit an online application. No hard
copies are accepted unless specified in the job announcement.
5)  Q I don't have all of the required qualifications or application materials requested. Should I still apply for the job?
A
The online application database allows applicants to update their application online as
needed and add or remove attachments as needed. We encourage applicants to update
their online application and attach materials as requested per the job announcement.
6)  Q Who do I contact to find out about health and dental insurance contribution rates?
A

The City of Somerville webpage offers information on benefit plans and contribution rates. To view this information, please click here

7)  Q Where can I find out about salary rates?
A

Information about employment compensation for Somerville Public School positions can be found on our careers webpage here. You can also contact the HR office for more information.
8)  Q Who do I contact to learn more about a specific program, department, or school in the Somerville Public Schools?
A
To learn more about a program, department, or school in Somerville, you can begin by
visiting our webpage to learn more about our programs and our schools.
9)  Q What is the process for current employees to request a leave of absence?
A
Employees should submit the request in writing to their immediate supervisor and then
foward a copy to the HR office.
10)  Q How can current employees find out about their current sick, personal, or vacation day balances?
A
Employees can access this information by logging on to the secured/ password protected
HRDB website. Please contact the HR office for more information.
11)  Q SICK LEAVE BANK MEMBERSHIP
A
Sick leave bank membership is voluntary for all eligible employees and is available for those employees who are eligible to join in accordance with their collective bargaining units. See below:
SAA Administrators: Any participant must have fifteen (15) days of unused sick leave before he/she is eligible to become a member of the sick leave bank. Only those who deposit to the bank will be eligible to withdraw from it. Member must remain for a full year of operation once he/she commences participation. Each participant in this program shall contribute one day of his/her annual sick leave to the sick leave bank as a premium for membership. If, during the school year, the sick leave bank is depleted, the bank shall be replenished by the contribution of one (1) additional day by each member. For more information, please see the Somerville Administrator’s Association collective bargaining agreement.
STA Unit A: Teachers: Any participant must have fifteen (15) days of unused sick leave before s/he is eligible to become a member of the sick leave bank. Only those who deposit to the bank will be eligible to withdraw from it. The balance of days remaining in the sick leave bank at the completion of each school Membership in the sick leave bank shall be voluntary for each and every teacher employed by the School Committee, but a member must remain for a full year of operation once s/he commences participation. Each participant in this program shall contribute one (1) day of his/her annual sick leave to the sick leave bank as a premium for membership. If, during the school year, the sick leave bank is depleted, the bank shall be replenished by the contribution of one (1) additional day by each member.
All STA Unit B: Paraprofessionals: Not eligible
All Non-Union Employees: Not eligible
AFSCME Clerical: Membership in the Sick Leave Bank shall be voluntary for each and every bargaining unit member employed by the School Committee, but a member must remain for a full year of operation once he/she commences participation. The Sick Leave bank will be open from September 1 through September 30 during each year of the agreement. Each participant in this program shall contribute two (2) days of his/her annual sick leave to the Sick Leave Bank as a premium for membership. If, during the school year, the Sick Leave Bank is depleted, it shall be replenished by the contribution of two (2) additional days from each member. Any participant must have twenty (20) days of unused sick leave before he/she is eligible to become a member of the Sick Leave Bank. Only those who deposit to the Sick Leave Bank will be eligible to withdraw from it. The balance of days remaining in the Sick Leave Bank on June 30 of each year shall be the total number of sick leave days donated less the total number of days granted by the Sick Leave Bank Committee during the preceding twelve (12) months, provided that the maximum balance shall be two hundred twenty five (225) days.AFSCME Food Services: Membership in the Sick Leave Bank shall be voluntary for each and every cafeteria worker employed by the Somerville School Committee, but a member must remain for a full year of operation once s/he commences participation. Each full-time participant in this program shall contribute one (1) day of his/her annual sick leave to the Sick Leave Bank as a premium for membership. Each part-time participant in this program will contribute average daily hours for one day. If, during the school year, the Sick Leave is depleted, the bank shall be replenished by the contribution of one (1) additional day or hours by each member. Any participant must have fifteen (15) days of unused sick leave before s/he is eligible to become a member of the Sick Leave Bank. Only those who deposit to the bank will be eligible to withdraw from it. The balance hours remaining in the Sick Leave Bank at the completion of each school year will be carried over for use in future years either to provide sick leave coverage for employees whose own sick leave has been exhausted or to build up the Sick Leave Bank, provided that the number of hours in the Sick Leave Bank may not exceed a maximum of five hundred forty (540) hours. Any additional balance of hours remaining at the completion of each school year will be forfeited, will not be cumulative for future use, and will not be returned to participants.