Access SmartFind Express
(for hired subs)
Substitute Hiring
Licensed Substitutes:
Note: Obtaining a substitute authorization does not guarantee a licensed substitute position within Poudre School District. To become a substitute (classified or licensed) the proper application and hiring process must be followed.
A licensed substitute replaces a teacher when absent and must hold a valid Colorado teaching license, or a Colorado 1-year/3-year/5-year substitute authorization. Substitute licensure is obtained from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). If you have questions about licensure, please contact CDE directly. You can reach them by submitting a licensing support request or by calling 720‐739‐ 3304 between 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Fingerprints for your authorization MUST be submitted to the Colorado Department of Education, not PSD.
The 2025-26 Substitute-Licensed Pool is now closed. A new pool will open for the 2026-2027 school year in the fall. Please check the website around August, 2026.
2025-26 Substitute Pay
Substitute pay rates are reviewed and updated annually. Pay rates are determined at the start of each school year and may be adjusted based on district needs and budget considerations.
Licensed substitutes are paid a daily rate through PSD (monthly):
| Full-Day Rate |
Qualifications
|
| $145/day |
Subs who worked less than 20 sub assignments in the 2025-2026 school year and hold a 1-year or 3-year sub authorization will be paid at this rate.
|
| $155/day |
Once a sub works a minimum of 20 sub assignments in the 2025-2026 school year, they will be eligible for this rate of pay.
Or, if one of the following is true: · Sub worked 80+ assignments in the 2024-2025 school year (licensed/classified), or · Holds an active 5-year Sub Authorization, or · Holds an active Teacher License
|
| $165/day |
If a sub works a minimum of 80 assignments in the 2025-2026 school year OR is a PERA retiree, they will be eligible for this rate of pay.
|
Half day pay is prorated at 50% of the full day rate.
Substitutes may request a pay increase evaluation at any time during the school year by completing the Sub Pay Increase Form. Please note that any approved increases will apply prospectively and are not retroactive. Forms received by the last calendar day of the month will be considered for evaluation for the upcoming pay period. For example, if a submission is received by September 30th and is approved, the sub could expect an increase in pay for jobs starting on October 16th. To submit for a pay increase, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/vb8p7R538rXzrLqT8.
*all forms received between June-July will be reviewed and processed in August. All licensed sub rates are “reset” annually at the start of each school year.
Classified Substitutes:
A classified substitute replaces a paraprofessional, crossing guard, media tech, health tech, office assistant or other classified positions. No teaching license is required for classified substitutes.
Classified substitute hiring has closed for the 2025-26 school year. Job postings will open in August of 2026.
Effective July 1, 2026, Poudre School District's partnership with ESS will end and the PSD Substitute Support Team will assume full responsibility for managing all substitute needs, including classified substitutes.
PSD is grateful for the teamwork and partnership we have had with ESS for the past three years!
Classified substitutes are paid an hourly rate through ESS (weekly) through 6/30/2026. Effective 07/01/2026 classified substitutes will be paid an hourly rate through PSD (monthly).
Crossing Guard |
$16.55 |
Non-Instructional Paraprofessional |
$16.55 |
Instructional Paraprofessional |
$18.20 |
Media Tech |
$18.20 |
Health Tech (Pre-approval required) |
$20.20 |
Integrated Services Paraprofessional I |
$19.49 |
School Office Assistant |
$19.88 |
504 Paraprofessional |
$19.86 |
Integrated Services Early Childhood Paraprofessional |
$19.86 |
Integrated Services Paraprofessional II |
$20.26 |
Mileage Rate for Mountain Schools: Classified and licensed subs who drive to schools in Livermore, Red Feather and Stove Prairie are compensated for mileage at 83.75 cents per mile.
More:
• Substitute Guide to SmartFind Express (available after PSD email account is set up. PSD’s district code for the SmartFind App is QRFX)
• Substitute Employee Handbook
• Colorado Department of Education
Check out our schools in more detail on the Choose PSD page.