Paraprofessional job description.
A paraprofessional supports classroom teachers by working directly with students, including those with individualized education plans (IEPs), to reinforce instruction and manage daily routines. They assist with academic tasks, behavior support, and personal care needs, helping create an inclusive and productive learning environment under the teacher's direction.
The Paraprofessional job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Paraprofessional Reports to: Classroom Teacher or Special Education Coordinator
A paraprofessional supports classroom teachers by working directly with students, including those with individualized education plans (IEPs), to reinforce instruction and manage daily routines. They assist with academic tasks, behavior support, and personal care needs, helping create an inclusive and productive learning environment under the teacher's direction.
- Support classroom teachers in delivering lesson plans and small-group instruction
- Assist students with IEPs or 504 plans in meeting individualized learning goals
- Monitor student behavior and reinforce positive behavior support strategies
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Classroom Teacher or Special Education Coordinator
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Support classroom teachers in delivering lesson plans and small-group instruction
- Assist students with IEPs or 504 plans in meeting individualized learning goals
- Monitor student behavior and reinforce positive behavior support strategies
- Help students with personal care, mobility, and daily living tasks as needed
- Supervise students during transitions, recess, lunch, and field trips
- Prepare instructional materials and maintain an organized classroom environment
- Document student progress and communicate observations to the lead teacher
- Collaborate with special education staff, therapists, and families
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- High school diploma or equivalent; associate degree preferred by some districts
- Experience working with children in an educational or childcare setting
- Ability to pass a background check and required school clearances
- Strong communication and patience working with diverse learners
- Paraprofessional certification or passing score on state-required exam
- Experience supporting students with special needs
- Bilingual ability
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Paraprofessional job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Paraprofessional job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Classroom Teacher or Special Education Coordinator) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What is the difference between a paraprofessional and a teaching assistant?
- The titles are often used interchangeably, though paraprofessionals more commonly work one-on-one with students who have IEPs, while teaching assistants may support the whole classroom.
- Do paraprofessionals need a teaching license?
- No, but many states require passing a competency exam or holding an associate degree under federal education requirements.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Teaching Assistant
A Teaching Assistant supports a lead teacher in delivering instruction and maintaining a productive classroom environment.
Instructional Aide
An instructional aide supports classroom teachers by working directly with students individually or in small groups to reinforce lessons and skills.
Substitute Teacher
A Substitute Teacher delivers instruction and manages classroom activities in the temporary absence of the regular teacher.
This Paraprofessional job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.