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Paraprofessional Job Description

What does a Paraprofessional do?

A Paraprofessional provides support to teachers and other educational professionals within schools, colleges or universities. They work with students on an individual or small group basis to provide guidance and assistance in specific areas, such as reading, writing, and math. They may also help with classroom organization, grading assignments, and managing student behaviour. Additionally, a Paraprofessional may assist with administrative tasks such as photocopying, filing, and record keeping. They play a crucial role in maintaining a positive and productive learning environment, helping students to achieve their full potential.

Our Paraprofessional job description includes the Paraprofessional responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Paraprofessional Example


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If you need an example job description for a Paraprofessional download the one below, alternatively we have many other Education job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Paraprofessional do?

Paraprofessional Job Summary

A Paraprofessional is a person who works alongside a professional in a specific field to support them in their role. Paraprofessionals generally work in schools, healthcare settings, and other organisations where they provide assistance to professionals in their respective fields. This role typically involves providing administrative, technical, and other support as needed. Responsibilities may include taking notes, researching, developing materials, helping with reports, and providing other assistance as necessary. Paraprofessionals must possess strong interpersonal skills, as well as excellent communication and organisational skills. They must be able to work independently and in a team environment, and be willing to take on additional tasks as required.

Paraprofessional Role Purpose

The purpose of a paraprofessional job role is to provide support to professionals in their field, such as teachers, social workers, and healthcare workers. This may involve assisting with administrative tasks, providing guidance and advice, or helping with the implementation of new initiatives. Paraprofessionals may also be responsible for providing educational and social support to students or clients.

Paraprofessional Role

A Paraprofessional is a support staff member who works under the direction of a qualified professional, such as a teacher or social worker, to provide assistance with instruction, assessment, and other educational services.

Paraprofessional Duties

  • Assist teachers in the classroom by providing individual or small group instruction
  • Supervise students in classrooms, hallways and other school environments
  • Help teachers prepare lessons and materials
  • Assist in grading papers and other assessments
  • Support students with special needs, such as those with learning disabilities, physical challenges and emotional disturbances
  • Provide instruction in basic skills and/or modify instructional materials to meet the needs of individual students
  • Assist with clerical tasks, such as photocopying, filing and laminating
  • Participate in staff meetings, training sessions and other school events
  • Support teachers in the implementation of behaviour management plans

Paraprofessional Requirements

  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work with a variety of people
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Ability to understand and follow instructions
  • Ability to use initiative
  • Able to maintain confidentiality
  • Able to work to deadlines

Paraprofessional Skills

  • Working knowledge of educational technology
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with teachers, students and parents
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Ability to provide instructional support to students with special learning needs
  • Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills

Paraprofessional Personal Traits

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to follow instructions
  • Organised and reliable
  • Strong communication and literacy skills

How to write a Paraprofessional Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Paraprofessional Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Paraprofessional Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Paraprofessional Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Paraprofessional

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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