Paraprofessionals are some of the most important members of many school teams. Also known as paraeducators or classroom/teacher assistants, they perform a variety of roles in the classroom. If you're getting ready to hire a new teaching assistant, you'll want to make sure the job description properly reflects the duties involved and the necessary requirements. Find tips and example paraprofessional job descriptions to guide you through the process.
What should a paraprofessional job description include?
Like any other job description, your job description should include information that people will find useful when deciding whether to apply for the job. Strong job descriptions also benefit existing employees because they define and clarify overall responsibilities and expected performance outcomes. Here's what your paraprofessional job description should include:
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Positions should be short and concise so applicants can easily find them. yes:
- 5th grade assistant teacher (integrated classroom)
- High School Literacy Assistant
- Title I Paraprofessional, Grades 6-8
- kindergarten classroom assistant
- K-5 assistant teacher (flexible)
You can also indicate whether the job is full-time or part-time. If you are part-time, keep track of your hours.
summary
In a few sentences, give the candidate a general idea of what the job looks like overall. Describe the basic roles and the type of person best suited for them. Job applicants use summaries to quickly decide whether to continue reading a more detailed description. Tip: Sometimes it's easier to write this summary after you've written the rest of your description.
Learn more: What is a paraprofessional?
Duties and Responsibilities
This section lists more specific details about the task. It is usually written as a bulleted list, sometimes divided into sections. Be very detailed here. It's helpful for everyone to be clear about the expectations for this role up front.
Learn more: What does a teaching assistant do?
Qualifications and Experience
Strict requirements must be specified here. You may also include preferred qualifications to help applicants determine their true qualifications. yes:
- High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in an education-related field preferred
- Experience working with children in a classroom or educational setting (minimum 1 year, 3 years preferred)
- Two years of postsecondary education (60 credits) or an associate's degree is required. Preference given to those majoring in education
working conditions
What conditions can someone doing this job expect? Do you have to stand for long periods of time at work? Do you have to be outside in any weather for recess or bus duty? Do you need to be able to lift a certain amount of weight? Are there expectations about working outside of regular school hours? Please provide that information here.
salary range
This is still a controversial section of the job description. Job seekers want to know in advance how much a job will pay to avoid applying for a job that doesn't fit their personal needs. This also benefits employers. That's because employers don't want to risk spending time reviewing potential candidates only to find out they didn't meet their salary requirements. Some states require a salary range as part of the job posting (although some states do not, some do).
Learn More: Average Paraprofessional Salary in 2023
Tips for Writing a Paraprofessional Job Description
Before writing a job description, spend time brainstorming all the tasks and duties they are expected to perform. It’s okay if the list is really long! Once you have everything organized, you can look at condensing and grouping some items. For example, if you listed 'organizing materials', 'organizing classroom supplies', and 'managing daily attendance', you could condense them into 'assisting with daily classroom management tasks'.
Be honest about what you expect from someone who succeeds in this role. The more information people have about a job, the more informed their application decisions will be. This allows you to source better candidates upfront, making the hiring process easier.
Highlight opportunities for growth, such as professional development courses or long-term career advancement. Also include your expectations for the candidate, such as earning a certain number of continuing education credits each year.
Provide information about your organization, such as its mission statement or overall culture. This helps the candidate know whether your values align well with their own.
Lastly, don’t be afraid of AI’s help! This is one area where ChatGPT and other AI interfaces can really save time. In fact, we used ChatGPT to create our first paraprofessional job description example below! Once you have the basic description, you can adjust it to fit your needs.
Example of a paraprofessional job description
Paraprofessional Job Description Template #1
(Source: We asked ChatGPT to write a description using the following prompt: “Writing a job description for a 4th grade paraprofessional in an inclusive classroom”)
Position: 4th grade assistant teacher (included classroom)
Job summary:
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate 4th grade paraprofessional to join our inclusive classroom team. In this role, you will work closely with class teachers and other professionals to provide support to students with a range of learning needs. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
responsibility:
- Collaborates with classroom teachers and other team members to implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and accommodations for students with diverse learning needs.
- Provides educational support to students individually and in small groups under the direction of the classroom teacher.
- Supports classroom management and behavioral support strategies to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
- Assists students in accessing curriculum and completing classroom assignments, including modifying materials as needed.
- Foster positive relationships with students and build relationships and trust to support academic and social-emotional growth.
- Monitor student progress and collect data on student performance to help inform instructional planning and decision-making.
- Collaborates with classroom teachers and other professionals to develop and implement appropriate interventions and strategies to address student needs.
- We communicate regularly with parents and guardians to provide updates on student progress and collaborate on support strategies.
- Provide support during transition periods and other non-instructional times to ensure student safety and well-being.
- Participate in professional development opportunities that will enhance your knowledge and skills related to supporting students with diverse learning needs.
Qualification:
- High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education, or related field is preferred.
- You have experience working with children, particularly in educational or youth development settings.
- Knowledge of inclusive education principles and practices, including an understanding of different learning styles and abilities.
- Ability to follow directions and work effectively as part of a collaborative team.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build positive relationships with students, colleagues, and families.
- Patience, empathy, and a genuine passion for supporting the academic and social-emotional growth of all students.
- Flexibility and adaptability to meet the changing needs of students and classroom environments.
- Willingness to participate in training and professional development opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.
Working conditions:
- This position is based in a 4th grade integrated classroom within a school setting.
- Office hours may vary but generally coincide with regular school hours.
- May include standing, walking, lifting or assisting students as needed.
- A collaborative work environment that provides opportunities for professional growth and development.
Teacher Assistant Job Description Template #2
(Source: Monster.com listing in April 2024)
Title: Teacher Assistant
explanation:
Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant. LSF is seeking talented teacher assistants who want to make an impact on the lives of others. Candidates must be bilingual in English and Spanish.
Purpose and Impact:
This position assists the teacher in providing training to all clients enrolled in the program. They will work around a year-round school schedule and participate in English as a Second Language classes. They will monitor client participation to ensure appropriate training and support for each refugee individual. Teacher Assistants speak English and Spanish.
Essential features:
- We work with small groups or selected individuals to provide instructional support to ensure a positive learning experience for students from diverse backgrounds.
- Monitors student behavior and documents as necessary.
- Assists faculty in preparing classes, materials, and equipment.
- Assists with searching, transporting, and supervising students as needed.
- Appropriate behavior must be modeled.
- Ensures contractual compliance with reporting requirements by adhering to departmental and programmatic deadlines. Regular and punctual attendance.
Other features:
- Handle classrooms and groups as needed.
- Assist with training, copying, setup, and documentation of materials.
- Assists in maintaining physical property as needed or assigned.
- Supports building positive relationships with families, community members and funding agencies.
- Able to respond productively to change and handle other essential tasks as assigned.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to read, write and communicate. While performing the responsibilities of this job, the employee may be required to bend, lift, grasp, hold or otherwise use hands. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
education:
High school diploma or equivalent.
technology:
- Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented both orally and in writing.
- Ability to work with challenging student populations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Reports to Program Manager.
- Must be a team player.
- Submit required reports and documentation to funders and LSF accurately, completely and in a timely manner.
- Effective working relationships.
- Complies with LSF policies and procedures.