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Substitute Paraprofessional Job Description

What does a Substitute Paraprofessional do?

A Substitute Paraprofessional is an educational professional who assists teachers and other staff members with classroom management, student supervision, and instructional support. They work across a variety of educational settings, from early childhood education to high schools and adult learning centres, and are responsible for supporting the needs of students with disabilities, social and emotional difficulties, or behavioural challenges. Substitute Paraprofessionals typically work on a temporary basis, filling in for permanent staff members during absences, illnesses, or other leave periods. They may also be hired on an as-needed basis to support specific programs or events.

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

Substitute Paraprofessional Example


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

What does a Substitute Paraprofessional do?

A Substitute Paraprofessional is a temporary educational support role, typically working in a school setting. They are responsible for providing instructional support to teachers, as well as other duties such as assisting with classroom management, helping with assessments, providing support to students with special needs, and implementing individualized learning plans. They may also be responsible for taking on administrative tasks, such as filing and record keeping. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.

Substitute Paraprofessional Role Purpose

The purpose of a Substitute Paraprofessional is to provide support to teachers and other educational professionals in the classroom setting, enabling them to carry out their duties in an effective and efficient manner. This may include working with individual students, assisting in group activities, providing additional educational resources, and helping to maintain educational standards. A Substitute Paraprofessional may also be required to carry out administrative tasks such as taking attendance and managing the classroom environment.

Substitute Paraprofessional Role

A substitute paraprofessional is a temporary educational assistant, typically providing support to teachers and pupils in a school or other educational setting.

Substitute Paraprofessional Duties

  • Provide support to classroom teachers in the instruction of students
  • Assist in the implementation of classroom activities
  • Assist with student assessment, record keeping and reporting
  • Supervise and support students during lunch and other breaks
  • Assist in the management of student behavior
  • Support students with special needs

Substitute Paraprofessional Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Ability to follow instructions and work cooperatively with other staff and students
  • Ability to use basic office equipment
  • Flexible and reliable attitude

Substitute Paraprofessional Skills

  • Proficiency in classroom management
  • Organizational and communication skills
  • Ability to follow instructions
  • Ability to work with children of all ages

Substitute Paraprofessional Personal Traits

  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Organisational aptitude
  • Ability to work independently
  • Patience and understanding

How to write a Substitute 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 Substitute 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 Substitute 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 Substitute 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 Substitute 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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