The Department of Education’s Open Market Transfer System, which gives UFT members the opportunity to transfer to a different school, opened on April 9 and closed on Aug. 7 this year. The system had posted thousands of new positions as a result of this year’s school-based application process for funding to lower class sizes. The system usually opens in mid-April and closes in early August each year. 

The Open Market Transfer System gives pedagogues, including teachers, clinicians, school counselors and school secretaries, as well as paraprofessionals, the chance to apply for a position at another school. You can view vacancies citywide and submit applications online via the DOE website during the transfer period.

The vacancies posted on the DOE website change as positions are filled and principals add new openings, so it’s a good idea to check regularly. If you are aware of a vacancy at your school that has not been posted, please contact your UFT district representative as soon as possible with the details.

How to apply

After completing an online registration form, which will require you to create a user ID and password, you can apply online for any vacancies in your current license area. There is room on the online application for a cover letter and resume. You can also apply online to transfer to schools that have not advertised a vacancy so principals are aware of your interest in the event a vacancy arises. The UFT recommends that in addition to applying online, you follow up after each application by emailing or mailing the school your cover letter and resume.

The hiring process

School-based committees of supervisors and pedagogues may interview candidates and make hiring recommendations. Committees are not required to interview all applicants. You may also be interviewed by a principal directly, without a committee. In both cases, the final decision rests with the principal.

You do not need a release from your current principal to accept a transfer if you secure the transfer during the open market period. The hiring principal will enter your name into the Galaxy budget and you will receive a printed transfer agreement that you both must sign. At that point, the system will notify your current principal about the transfer. Once you accept an offer, you cannot transfer again during the same Open Market Transfer System period without a release from the new principal.

If you are intended for a position — meaning the hiring principal places you on the table of organization at the school — after the open market period ended on Aug. 7, you must obtain a release from your current principal to complete the transfer.

Read more about transfer opportunities.