A shortage of part-time and substitute employees has left the Tahoma School District seeking to fill quite a few openings. The most significant needs are for bus drivers, custodians and food service workers, said Mark Koch, director of human resources for the district.

“We’re struggling in two ways: to find people to apply for these positions, and also for substitutes for these positions,” Koch said.

Superintendent Rob Morrow agreed, and stressed the need for transportation employees. Some days the need for drivers is so dire that every single available employee in the transportation department is filling in on open routes, Morrow said.

He added that some of the positions can be a great fit for recent graduates and college students looking to work part-time after attending classes.

“You can drive a bus in the morning and then be done, do a mid-day bus run and then be done or work custodial at night,” Morrow added.

Even individuals with no experience are welcome to apply, and the district would help train new bus drivers or assist food service workers with obtaining necessary training and permits.

Depending on the position, starting pay rates for these classified positions range from $12 to $17 per hour. To view the openings or apply, visit tahomajobs.hrmplus.net and click on “job openings.”