Support Staff Positions in Schools

Typical Roles and Positions

British Columbia’s K-12 public education sector employs nearly 25,000 support staff employees in schools and districts. These employees provide valuable and necessary support to ensure the smooth operation of the school, the district and the sector as a whole. Support staff positions have a wide range, varying from trades and maintenance workers to teacher assistants, clerical, accounting, and IT.

Some 25,000 BC education sector employees contribute to BC schools through support staff positions that employ carpenters, painters, mechanics, webmasters, groundskeepers, typists, and, well, you get the idea. Learn more about the many positions, some of which might surprise you, in the fields below.

Trades and Maintenance

School maintenance and repairs are done by both skilled and unskilled trades. Carpenter, plumber, electrician, gas fitter, HVAC, horticulturist, painter, mechanic and other trades assist districts from minor repairs to major renovations of school district facilities. Other unskilled trades include custodians, grounds people, and general labourers.

Trades qualifications are required for all TQ Trades positions. Requirements for other positions may require some specialized training

Computing and Information Technology

Responsible for maintenance and technological support of school district information systems that facilitate information technology services and support in school districts. These positions will range from information technologists, network engineers, webmasters, computer technicians, application programmers, network systems support and systems trainers.

Related degree, diploma, certificate or combination of experience and training. Some positions may require professional designation or certification.

May require a university degree in information technology or related discipline, technical training from an IT training institute or specific IT certification.

Accounting and Payroll

Payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, accounting clerk/assistants and other related positions provide services in support of the school district financial services.

May require specialized training in a related field.

Clerical

School secretary, clerk typist, office assistant, receptionist, dispatch clerk roles – these positions provide clerical and general office assistance to support the functioning of either school and/or district programs. Equivalent degree in a relevant field and senior educational leadership in a school system may be required. Eligible membership in the BC College of Teachers is necessary to be appointed to this position. Will require specific office related skills and training including the use of computers and software programs.

Special Education Assistants

Working with teachers to support students with special needs, the positions within this classification will vary from more general positions to more specialized such as Autism support workers, Severe Behaviour worker, and sign language interpreters.

Specialized training will be required. This may include certificates or diplomas from recognized college programs.

Teacher Assistants

Positions within this classification provide general assistance to support teachers, students and/or school programs. Positions include: teacher assistants, supervision aides, food program aides, library aides, science aides, multicultural support worker, youth care worker, aboriginal support worker, and community school assistants. High school graduation and specialized training in a related field.

Noon Hour Supervisors

Responsible for supervising elementary students in school buildings and grounds during recess and lunch breaks. Noon hour supervisors typically do not have specialized training; however, some districts may prefer employees to have completed early childhood education courses in areas such as First Aid and Conflict Resolution.