The Allen Independent School District uses an automated SubFinder System that utilizes a computer located in the Personnel Office with data/voice capabilities to assign substitutes to teacher/other personnel absences. The system is accessed by the public telephone system or, alternatively, through Internet access.

System telephone number: 972.727.7184
Internet Access:  secure online access
Help Desk (Sub Manager): 972.727.7152

The system offers broad opportunities for substitutes while allowing each school to make its own choice regarding the selection of substitutes. This new system is aware of your wishes to:

• Specify only schools where you wish to work or schools where you prefer not to work
• Request jobs for only particular days of the week
• List the subjects you are qualified to teach and other subjects you would like to teach
• Let you check on available jobs so you can plan ahead
• Notify the System not to call you during a calling period or for a certain period of time

How will SubFinder benefit me?
There is the potential for more jobs, particularly for new substitutes, since SubFinder is completely unbiased in its selection process and with WebConnect, you can view open positions 24/7. You tell SubFinder when you want to work. You have the ability to review jobs that you have accepted, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can be proactive through the use of JOB SHOPPING – calling SubFinder or viewing Webconnect online to find out if there are jobs available for which you are qualified.

What about registration?
You will not be able to register with SubFinder until you complete the application and orientation process.

What are job numbers?
Each absence successfully reported, by an employee or an administrator, is assigned a job number. A substitute will receive the same job number when they successfully accept the job. Many of SubFinder’s reports use the job number as a reference. Job numbers must be used when accessing an existing job for review or cancellation. Any time you report an absence or accept a job, make sure you take note of your JOB number. This is what we mean by successfully reporting or accepting a job.

What are my options when I call SubFinder or use Webconnect?
Reviewing current assignments (#1)
You can listen to or view any current and future assignment that you have already accepted. You will hear or can view all the details concerning each job.

Reviewing available jobs (#2)
You will hear or view jobs for which you are qualified, one at a time. You may either accept an offered job, listen to, or view another.

Canceling a job (#3)
You must know the specific job number.

Reporting an absence (#4)
You must know the specific job number. The dates and times of the absence must fall within a single job that you have already secured through SubFinder.

Reviewing personal information (#5)
You can review your phone number, your name as recorded, the days of the week you can work, unavailable date ranges if any, and your SubFinder assigned ID number.


Questions & Answers
Q: Do I have to have touch-tone service to use SubFinder?
A: No, but you do need a telephone that is tone/pulse switchable.  Alternatively, if you wish to use Webconnect, you will need to have access to the Internet.

Q: Do I have to call in and register with SubFinder before I can receive job offers via telephone or view offers using WebConnect?
A: Yes. You will not receive any job offers until you have registered by telephone.

Q: Do I have to register every time I call in?
A: No. You only have to register once.

Q: What happens if SubFinder calls me and gets my answering machine?
A: Your answering machine will record some portion of Subfinder’s greeting and narration asking for your PIN – Personal Identification Number. SubFinder will realize that the phone was answered, but will not leave any information regarding the job. SubFinder may call back later and offer you the job again or you may call in and see if anything is available.

Q: What if someone in my family answers the phone and it is SubFinder calling?
A: You have two choices: 1) if you are not home, you can teach family members how to accept jobs for you. If you choose to do this, please make sure they realize how important it is to tell you about the job after they accept it. 2) If you are home, have the person who answered the phone put the receiver down and call you. SubFinder will ask for your PIN several times, waiting approximately 30 seconds between each request, so you will have time to get to the phone before the call is terminated.

Q: Can an employee assign me to, or request me for his/her absence?
A: Yes. This can be assigned either by phone or using WebConnect. The employee must have your SubFinder-assigned ID number in order to do this. They should be able to obtain this number from their school office. If they “request” you, the SubFinder System will call you first and give you the chance to accept/reject the job. If you reject it, the system will revert to the skill list. If they “prearrange” or assign a job for you, the system will not call you. It presumes you have entered this job in your date book.

Q: What if the days I am available to work change from week to week?
A: You can change this information yourself, using WebConnect or by using your touch-tone phone. From the Main Menu, choose "Review Personal Information." Then choose "Review the Days of the Week You Can Work." Follow the instructions given by the narrator and change your available days.

Q: Can I call SubFinder or use WebConnect and “shop” for jobs?
A: Yes.

Q: When I call in to review available jobs, will I be given a list of jobs from which to choose?
A: No, if using the phone option. You will hear one job at a time and will be able to accept the job, listen to the job again, or listen to the next job. If you accept the job, you may still review jobs for other dates, if there are any available at the time.

Q:  When I use WebConnect to review available jobs will I be given a list of jobs from which to choose?
A: Yes, on WebConnect you will be able to review all jobs that are available to you.

Q: If I enter an unavailable date range (for example, for a vacation) and return early, can I begin to pick up jobs early?
A: Yes. If using WebConnect, you may change your availability, then view jobs available to you.  Yes, if using the phone option.  You must call SubFinder, choose "Review Personal Information," "Date Range Menu," and "Review a Date Range," then remove the date range. You will then be eligible to receive job offers as well as review available jobs.

Q: If I reject a job for a particular day, will SubFinder quit calling me for that day?
A: No. SubFinder may still call you for other jobs if you meet the criteria.

Q: If I reject or cancel jobs, will I be automatically removed from the substitute list?
A: No.

Q: Do I need to remember my job number?
A: Yes. The job number is your confirmation that SubFinder has registered your acceptance of the job. You will need this number if you need to cancel the job.

Q: Will I have the same job number for all my jobs?
A: No. Every new job you accept will have a different job number.

Q: Can I cancel a previously accepted job in the event of an emergency?
A: Yes. From the Main Menu, choose "Cancel a Job." After entering the job number, SubFinder will play the job information for you and then give you the option of canceling the job.

Q: Will I ever be offered jobs in position areas that I did not request?
A: Maybe. You may be called for jobs outside your stated position area(s) if: 1) a special request for you has been made, or 2) If you are on a Site Preference List, the SubFinder System will not look at job positions but will call you first for any job that is put into the system from that site.  Note that WebConnect allows you to be pro-active and select the jobs that you want.