What types of education jobs are available near me?

When people think about school employees, the first thing that comes to mind is teachers and principals. But we all know that it takes a village to educate our students. There are many more education jobs available at schools than people realize—and some of them even allow for flexible scheduling. 

When full-time faculty or staff take a day off, schools need reinforcements ready to step in. Think substitute teachers, paraeducators, support staff (i.e., clerical, custodial, cafeteria roles), and school nurses.  

Flexible education roles in schools.

These education jobs not only allow the continuity of education for students in your community, but they may also provide the flexibility you need in your schedule. And who doesn’t love to have control over their work schedule? Weekends, evenings, summers off—sounds nice! 

For more than 25 years Kelly Education has placed thousands of substitute teachers, paraeducators, and support staff in school districts across the country. Let’s look at a few of these education jobs in more detail and see how you can apply to work in schools near you. 

Substitute teachers.

Substitute teachers have the essential role of standing in for teachers when they’re out unexpectedly or for planned leave. This means delivering the teacher’s lesson plan for that day or stretch of days. This can be either a short- or long-term position. 

When people consider becoming a substitute teacher, they often discount it because they think they need to be certified or licensed. That’s not true in many states. However, you do need to meet the minimum requirements in your state and district. If you choose to become a substitute teacher, you may also decide to work in some of the other roles listed below. 

Paraeducators.

Paraeducators, also called paras, paraprofessionals, and teacher aids, work under the supervision of an assigned district employee or teacher. They work with students with special needs. These students may have special plans on file with the district that require them to receive assistance with schoolwork, behavior, or other physical needs. 

Paraeducators support in ensuring learning objectives and students’ needs are met throughout the day. Schools need both permanent and substitute paraeducators.  

Support staff.

Support staff members keep a school running—so students can keep learning.  

• Clerical. School secretaries and receptionists do need days off as well. Sometimes, they even need long-term coverage. Helping administrators with paperwork, answering phones, or helping with school-related communications are some of the top responsibilities here. 

• Custodians. A school custodian ensures that schools remain clean and well-maintained. In addition to the building, they are also responsible for the maintenance of buildings. To be a substitute custodian, you need to be physically capable of walking, bending, standing for long periods, and lifting heavy items from time to time. 

• Nutrition services. Most of these employees work in the school cafeteria. These are nutrition supervisors, cooks, and servers. If a full-time employee needs to be out on any given day, a substitute fills the role to ensure students get the energy they need to tackle their schoolwork. 

School nurses.

School nurses fill the vital role of taking care of students when they are sick or get hurt. They also support students by dispensing prescribed medications like insulin or methylphenidate.  

Even nurses get sick and need a day off. To be a substitute school nurse, you need to have the proper credentials or nursing license. 

School tutors.

School tutors may work one-on-one with a student or support students in a group setting. They help students to complete assignments, learn challenging concepts, or support high achieving students. Most school tutors deliver lessons for students based on the student’s current assignments tied to the school’s curriculum.  

How to find and apply for substitute teaching and other educational roles.

Now that you know more about the substitute teaching and other education roles, how do you find and apply for them? First, understand the requirements. Next, research job openings and apply. 

1. Understand the requirements.

Depending on the role, each state has its own set of minimum requirements. For substitute teachers, we’ve listed them in this article: How to become a substitute teacher in your state.  

Note that districts within each state can have additional requirements. Be sure to check out the job description and requirements for the school district where you’d like to work. 

2. Apply for education jobs.

Once you have an idea of the basic requirements, it’s time to look for jobs. Here’s where to find education and substitute teacher jobs: 

• Go directly to the school district’s website. School districts typically post their substitute openings, including for any of the positions listed above. 

• Look for substitute teacher and district openings on job boards. School districts and recruiters often post substitute teaching and educational positions on popular job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and our favorite (our own) myKelly. 

• Attend a local job fair. Hiring events can present the ideal opportunity to land a substitute teaching job or other education jobs in schools. You’ll get the chance to meet the school district’s hiring team in person and build your case as to why you’re a good fit. 

• Do an online search. Do an internet search by using keywords like “education jobs,” “substitute education jobs,” and “substitute teaching jobs near me.” 

• Work with a staffing education specializing in education recruitment. Some school districts work directly with staffing agencies to hire substitutes. At Kelly Education, our recruiters are focused on educational roles. So, we know the ins and outs of what it takes to be successful in the education field and can guide you through the application process.  

Now you know a little more about the variety of education jobs that are available, you can apply and put your skills to use! 

Work with Kelly Education.

Are you wondering, where are education jobs near me? Fill out our brief interest form and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions and share more about opportunities to work with one of our school district partners. 

Kelly Education is here to answer your questions and provide guidance to help you land a substitute teacher, paraeducator, or support staff position!