Seeking Employment

Introduction

SCIS does most of its hiring through International Schools Services (http://www.iss.edu) and Search Associates ( http://www.search-associates.com). We begin reviewing applications in November and will make appointments prior to the start of the recruiting fairs. We review expressions of interest which may be made via e-mail, and contact appropriate candidates via telephone or video conference. In 2007, we will be represented at ISS-Bangkok, ISS-San Francisco, and perhaps ISS-Boston and ISS- Philadelphia.

Requirements

Thank you for your interest in teaching at SCIS and HIS. Our schools currently enroll approximately 1400 students from over 40 different countries on three campuses. Three campuses are in Shanghai (SCIS Hongqiao and SCIS Pudong) and one in Hangzhou (Hangzhou International School). Our professional faculty numbers more than 150.

Mininum teaching requirements for SCIS include:

  1. Valid teaching credential in subject area from a government institution (four-year degrees required)
  2. Two years current teaching experience in the grade level or subject area of our vacancy
  3. Familiarity with recent USA lower and/or upper school teaching materials and methodologies
  4. Evidence of recent professional growth activities
  5. Experience and commitment to co-curricular and after school activitie
  6. Experience working in a multi-cultural or international school setting

SCIS does not hire couples with non-teaching spouses, or families with children who have more than mild learning difficulties.

Teaching Positions Available

If you are interested in employment at SCIS or HIS, please send a completed application and cover letter of introduction to:

Dr. William Parker, Headmaster 2008-09
Email: teach@scischina.org

Shanghai Community International School and Hangzhou International School
1161 Hongqiao Road
Shanghai, CHINA 200051

Please visit our website www.scischina.org for a list of employment opportunities (only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview)

Salary and Benefits

SCIS recruited staff must have 3 years teaching experience. Entry level salary offers for qualified teachers range from US $34,000 to US $38,000 (USD) contingent upon relevant experience, degree status, certification and other factors. SCIS will pay $2500 at the end of each of the first two years of service as a completion bonus. After the third year, this would increase to $3000. SCIS has a different starting salary package for prospective teachers with BA degrees, but no teaching credential their home country or less than 3 years of experience. Please note, SCIS only counts teaching credentials from traditional classroom or secondary programs. Sorry, we do not credit ESL on-line or short term course programs for our full teaching salary scale. Local expatriate teaching staff is offered comparable salary/tax considerations and health benefits upon request.

Chinese Taxes - SCIS will pay on your behalf all PRC taxes accrued from your salary.

Displacement Allowance - SCIS will pay a displacement allowance of US$1,000 for each new teacher upon his/her arrival in Shanghai in August. This allowance is only paid in the first year of employment with the school and is intended also to defray visa costs, etc.

Annual Travel Supplement - SCIS will provide each teacher with US $2500 for an annual travel supplement. Teachers are required to provide the school with the revenue portion of their air ticket and the boarding passes used for travel, but may keep any sum in excess of the 2500$ for the single ticket. Teachers flying economy class can save nearly one half of this supplement.

Housing - Teachers hired on an overseas-hire status will be provided housing within reasonable proximity of the school for the first initial two year contract. Teachers extending their employment with the school beyond the initial two year contract will be placed on an annual housing allowance. Presently this is set at RMB 100,000 for singles and RMB 125,000 for couples, which has been sufficient for staff to find suitable accommodations. New staff who wish to do so may request a housing allowance the first year. Housing in Shanghai is ample and very comfortable.

Allowance for Utilities - SCIS will pay, on your behalf, utilities expenses of US$100.00 per month for ten months, or provide utilities of a commensurate value. Total 1000$ over the school year.

Medical Insurance - Overseas-hire teachers receive major medical coverage. The does not include area 3 (US) coverage for anything but emergency care. As part of this coverage each staff member will be given a 1000$ allowance to use to offset the cost of claimable (as per our insurance carrier) medical care at approved providers. Those staff members who do not use their full allotment over a calendar year will simply keep any excess funds which will be paid added to the August completion bonus. For example, spend 500$ on approved medical care, receive 500$ at the end of the year. Families will be granted 3000$ to use against a 3,500 $ deductible policy, but may expect a refund of no more than 1,000$ per employee (2000$ maximum assuming no claims). After an individual/family exceeds the allotment (and documents per a process to be published later), that they have spent to their limit they will be entitled to service at approved providers with no deductible There will be no direct-billing next year for outpatient services, but HealthLine Asia is intending to improve reimbursement service by opening a claims centre in Shanghai.

Personal Leave Days for Recruiting - Up to five paid leave days (one personal leave day plus four more) can be taken by an overseas-hired teacher in his/her third or more year, with pre-arrangement and approval of the Headmaster. This leave must be used for a scheduled overseas recruitment fair. Ad-hoc interviews should be scheduled outside school time.

Sick/Personal Leave buy back- Teachers are given 10 sick days per year and one personal day. These will be bought back by the school at the end of the school year for 100$ per day (1,100). Up to five sick days may be ‘banked’ for a later year. One personal day may be carried over to a maximum of 15 sick days and 2 personal days in a year.

Savings – Single teachers can save a significant portion of their salary each year and still enjoy a comfortable lifestyle that includes travel. Couples without children may save an even higher portion.

Professional Growth Budget - Teachers who would like to pursue summer course work may apply for financial assistance. Money for summer course work will be drawn from the professional growth budget, and is limited. Teachers who would like to apply for such funding for the coming summer holidays should submit their written request to the Headmaster by 15 February. Funding support is also available for mid-year professional development. Reimbursement is made over a two-year period. As of November, 2007, spaces are still available in the SCIS On-site Interdisciplinary MA program from the state University of New York (SUNY).

Leaves of Absence - Personal Leave, Sick Leave, Compassionate Leave, and Professional Leave. Maternity Leave is available after the 2nd year of employment.

 

Professional Development Opportunities

Professional development support is available to staff members for a variety of programs ranging from attending the EARCOS teacher conference, for taking classes from accredited universities, to attending EARCOS weekend or AP workshops. At various times training professionals are also brought to campus for the purpose of enhancing teacher excellence.

Application Form

Application for Overseas Employment (PDF)
Application for Local Employment (PDF)