Higher Education Support Jobs

Do you have a love of learning and sharing knowledge? Are you passionate about helping the next generation build a solid foundation? Do you like feeling like you’re part of something bigger? If so, then the higher education support services sector could be a perfect fit. Education doesn’t just mean jobs for teachers. There is a broad range of support jobs within post-secondary educational institutions available, ranging from office administration to cafeteria staff to career center aides and more. Colleges, universities, and technical schools are rely upon an extensive campus staff to provide a seamless learning experience for their students.

By working in education support services, you’ll help mold the school experience for young and seasoned adults, work for a cause that you believe in, and get the satisfaction of knowing that you’re contributing to something more.

From entry-level to seasoned professionals, Spherion places motivated people in a wide variety of higher education support services roles in flexible, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire positions. Click to see our available positions.

What education support services jobs entail

To define exactly what these kinds of education jobs entail is tough! This is an extremely varied field with many different roles available. But the one thing that binds everyone working in education together? A lifelong passion for learning and supporting our youth.

Those who work in supporting education jobs are tasked with keeping our learning institutions running smoothly. They offer career advice, keep schools clean, ensure students are fed and safe, help students find a love of reading, and more. Because this is such a diverse sector, your exact responsibilities will depend on your job title and the department you work in. For instance, you could be working as a bookstore clerk in a high school, as an event planner coordinating the school’s major functions and career fairs, or as staff who helps maintain the school.

What you can expect working an education support services job

For the bulk of education jobs, working hours coincide with school hours. Some staff members may start their work day earlier than when school begins—like cafeteria staff responsible for feeding hungry students when they arrive in the morning—and some might find themselves sticking closer to a true 9-5 schedule, like those working in finance or admin. For some positions, there’s a need for round-the-clock support. Security officers and maintenance staff in particular can expect to see schedules that blend into the nights or early mornings. Regardless of when you are scheduled to work, most positions are typically full-time.

And just like how there is a broad range of job responsibilities, there is also a wide variety of work environments. Some jobs involve being on your feet most of the day. Other jobs, like those in accounting or financial services, will require you to spend much of your time at a desk. And depending on what tasks you’re assigned to, you may also need to be able to lift weights up to 25 pounds. Cafeteria staff in particular may find themselves needing to lift moderately heavy boxes of supplies on a regular basis.

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Because this is such a wide-ranging sector with numerous unique job titles, it’s hard to pinpoint exact salary information. Across the entire education support sector, the average annual salary is about $65,000, but this varies significantly. Teaching assistants for example can expect an average salary of $28,000, whereas an institution’s office manager can command $95,000. Office clerks and janitorial staff may average $35,000, and cafeteria workers see an average of $21,000.

Those with special skills—such as fluency in another language, certain certifications, or deep experience in a given field—may be offered higher salaries.

If you’re interested in seeing recent salary information for the kind of customer service and call center jobs you can find in your area, reach out to your local Spherion office. They can provide you with a salary guide that’s tailored to your city, town, or region, so you know exactly what kind of salary you can expect when you’re applying for a position.

What qualifications do education support services jobs require?

Most education support services jobs require at least a high school diploma or GED. Previous work experience can be helpful, but it may not be necessary, depending on the position you’re interested in. Positions like security officers and maintenance staff typically come with on-the-job training, and you’ll likely be able to find a position that’s a good fit even if you have no prior experience.

However, for some positions within the education support services realm, candidates with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree may have an advantage when it comes to being hired. Ed tech jobs or education jobs in financial support, accounting, or office management may not necessarily require a degree, but it could make you appear more desirable and well-rounded.

For this sector in particular, teaching experience can provide an excellent foundation for work elsewhere in the education support service world. Teaching assistants, career center staff, and school librarians are great jobs for former teachers, because they build on your existing knowledge of how educational institutions run.

Where your education support services career can go

The education sector is always hiring, and that won’t be changing any time soon. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that overall employment in the education services sector will grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, resulting in about 658,200 new jobs over the decade. Many of those openings will result from growth in the sector, as well as the need to replace workers leaving education for work elsewhere or to retire.

Plus, working in education support gives you a better understanding of the many different job titles and roles available to you—all while you make connections and build professional relationships. These can help you uncover potential future job opportunities elsewhere in the education space, transitioning from teaching to career center staff to financial support, for example

Teaching

After School Care

Janitorial/Food Services

School Security

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Higher Education Support Jobs

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