Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) in Virginia offers a wide variety of job opportunities in certificated, non-certificated, administrative, transportation, food service, and many other roles. Whether you’re looking to teach, support students from behind the scenes, drive a school bus, or work in school administration — there are paths for many skill sets.
Types of Jobs Available
Here are the main categories of PWCS employment:
| Job Category | Examples of Roles | Key Details / Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Certified / Instructional | Teachers (elementary, middle, high), instructional specialists, school counselors, speech-language pathologists, school psychologists. (Prince William County Public Schools) | Usually requires licensure (Virginia or equivalent), relevant degree (bachelor’s, master’s etc.), possibly student teaching or internship. (Prince William County Public Schools) |
| Classified / Non-Instructional | Teacher assistants, custodial staff, food services workers, office assistants, facilities, secretarial/clerical staff, etc. (Prince William County Public Schools) | Generally less strict in credential requirements, though some roles may require experience or specific training/certifications. (Prince William County Public Schools) |
| Transportation | School bus drivers, substitute bus attendants. (Prince William County Public Schools) | Must meet driving and safety requirements (Commercial Driver’s License with endorsements, clean driving record, passing physical exam). Some training provided. (Prince William County Public Schools) |
| Administrative & Management | Principals, assistant principals, coordinators, supervisors, etc. (Prince William County Public Schools) | These require leadership experience, relevant education, sometimes specific licensure or certifications. (Recruiter.com) |
| Substitute / Temporary / Volunteer | Substitute teachers, substitute teacher assistants, temporary support roles, volunteers. (Prince William County Public Schools) | Flexible hours, often less commitment, but still requires going through the HR process and meeting minimal criteria. (Prince William County Public Schools) |
Pay, Benefits, and Other Perks
From what I gathered:
- Bus Driver Pay: Around $26.42/hour for full bus drivers. (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Substitute Bus Attendant: ~$18.72/hour. (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Food Service / Office Assistant / Other Non-Certified Support Roles: Varies, but many gigs are in the ~$15-$18 range per hour, depending on shift, duties, and location. (Pennington Traditional School)
- Administrative & Leadership Roles: Salary scales are much higher; for example, the Director of Facilities role had a starting salary in the six-figure range ($134,978-$258,633) depending on experience. (Virginia Association of Counties)
Benefits include:
- Health insurance, retirement via the Virginia Retirement System. (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Paid sick/personal days, holidays, etc. (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Paid training (especially for roles like bus driver or bus attendant). (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Flexible scheduling for some substitute or part-time roles.
How to Apply / Application Process
Here are the key steps and things to know if you want a job at PWCS:
- Find the Right Job Category
First, determine whether the position is certified/instructional, classified/non-instructional, or administrative/management. PWCS has separate application tracks for each. (Prince William County Public Schools) - Online Application via PWCS System (“WinOcular”)
You must use their online job portal (WinOcular) to see vacancies, upload documents, and apply. (jobs.pwcs.edu) - Prepare & Upload Supporting Documents
Depending on the role, you may need to submit:- Proof of education (transcripts)
- Licensure or certification (if required)
- References (professional)
- In some roles, physical exam or license (e.g. for bus drivers) (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Meet Deadlines
Jobs have posting dates and application closing dates. Make sure to complete the application before the deadline. (Prince William County Public Schools) - Interview / Screening
After reviewing applications, HR will contact qualified candidates for further steps. For certified roles, that might include demonstrating subject competency or teaching experience. (Prince William County Public Schools) - Onboarding / Additional Requirements
Some roles require medical checks (e.g. TB test in Virginia), background checks, etc. (Prince William County Public Schools)
Critical Areas of Need
PWCS has pointed out several subject areas or positions where there is high demand. If you fit into any of these, your chances may be better. Among these are:
- Bus drivers (Prince William County Public Schools)
- ESOL / English for Speakers of Other Languages (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Mathematics (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Science (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Special Education (Prince William County Public Schools)
- World Languages (Prince William County Public Schools)
- Speech-Language Pathology (Prince William County Public Schools)
- School Psychology (Prince William County Public Schools)
Real Job Examples
To give you a flavor, here are a few actual roles (with key info) recently listed:
- ES Office Assistant (Summer) in Gainesville / Manassas / Bristow — temporary roles, ~$15.83-$17.17/hour depending on location. (Recruiter.com)
- Elementary School Principal (250-day contract) at West Gate Elementary in Manassas. Leadership position, open until filled. (Recruiter.com)
- Food & Nutrition / Food Service roles — often with flexible hours, school breaks off, etc. (Pennington Traditional School)
Tips if You’re Applying
Here are some of my own (from research + talking to folks) to improve your chances:
- Make sure your resume is tailored to the role: if applying for a teaching job, emphasize your classroom experience, certifications, work with children, etc; for non-instructional, highlight reliability, relevant skills (driving, clerical, food service, etc.).
- If you lack direct experience in a desired area but can meet minimum requirements, apply anyway. Temporary/summer jobs and substitute roles are often ways to get a foot in the door.
- Keep copies (or scans) of credentials ready (transcripts, licenses) so you can upload quickly.
- Set alerts / check PWCS job portal often. Some positions are time-sensitive and close fast. (jobs.pwcs.edu)
- Be clear in your application where you meet requirements (and where you don’t), so HR doesn’t reject you for missing basic info.
FAQs About Working in PWCS
Q1: Do you need a teaching license to teach in PWCS?
Yes. For instructional teacher roles, you must hold a valid Virginia teaching license (or be eligible for one), or have certification/similar credentials from another state that are accepted. (Prince William County Public Schools)
Q2: What are substitute positions, and how do they work?
Substitute/temporary roles include substitute teachers, assistants, and non-instructional support roles. They’re more flexible and good if you want part-time or temporary work. You’ll still need to apply officially and sometimes provide evidence of education/transcripts. (Prince William County Public Schools)
Q3: How much can bus drivers make in PWCS?
Starting pay for school bus drivers is about $26.42/hour. (Prince William County Public Schools)
Q4: What is “classified employment”?
Classified employment refers to non-instructional roles: the support jobs in schools or in the school district (bus drivers, custodial staff, food service, administrative assistants, etc.). You don’t need to be certified as a teacher for these roles, but you still must meet any role-specific requirements. (Prince William County Public Schools)
Q5: What benefits do PWCS employees get?
Health insurance, retirement via Virginia Retirement System (VRS), paid holidays, sick/personal leave, training, sometimes meals (in food service), etc. Compensation depends on the role. (Prince William County Public Schools)
Conclusion
If you’re considering working with Prince William County Public Schools, there’s a lot to be encouraged by: multiple job types, good benefits, room for growth, and opportunities in many disciplines. Whether you want to be in the classroom, behind the scenes, or somewhere that supports students more indirectly — PWCS likely has something that aligns with your skills.