1. Careers in
Public
Education
Job Options BC
Urban Older Workers Program

2. BC Public Education Overview
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60 school district employers
73,000 total employees
33,000 unionized educators
Opportunities in urban &
rural communities

3. Making a difference inside the classroom
TEACHING CAREERS

4. In-demand Teachers

5. Becoming a Teacher
REQUIREMENTS
• Certification from MoE’s Teacher
Regulation Branch
www.bcteacherregulation.ca
• Completion of a post-secondary teacher
education program
UBC, SFU, UVIC, VIU, TRU, UFV

6. Growth Opportunities
Head teacher
Counsellor
Teacher
Principal/Vice
Principal
School
Psychologist
Librarian
District Program
Coordinator
Human Resources
Director of
Instruction
Assistant
Superintendent
Superintendent

7. Salary and Benefits
 From $42,802 $83,489
 Extended health and
dental, life insurance,
sick leave, LTD, pension
 Generous vacation
 Professional
development
Other possible financial
incentives (depends on district
and varies from case to case):
 Rural/remove allowances
 Signing bonus
 Housing subsidy
 Forgivable loans
 Tuition-rebate
 Scholarships/bursaries
 Paid sabbatical leave

8. Making a difference within the school district
NON-TEACHING CAREERS

9. Non-teaching Opportunities
Non-Unionized Exempt Roles
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Human Resources
Health & Safety
Labour Relations
Finance
Facilities & Operations
Communications &
Community Relations
• Speech Language
Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Transportation
• Information Technology
• Energy Management
• Capital Projects

10. Non-teaching Opportunities
Unionized Support Roles
• Bus Driver
• Office/Clerical
• Tradespeople
– Carpenter, Electrician
– Painter, Welder, Plumber
– HVAC, Custodians
• Accountant/Bookkeeper
• Special Education Aides
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Teaching Assistant
Youth Worker
Supervision Aide
Aboriginal Advocate
IT Support/Help Desk
Custodian/Janitors
Building Service Worker
Sign Language Interpreters

11. Salary and Benefits
Support Staff Position
Hourly Wage Ranges
Teaching Assistant
Min: $17.21 – Max: $25.93
Special Education Assistant
Min: $18.91 - Max: $27.00
Child and Youth Care Worker
Min: $18.49 – Max: $31.16
Aboriginal Support Worker
Min: $16.27 – Max: $28.61
Child and Youth Care Worker
Min: $18.49 - Max: $31.16
StrongStart Facilitator
Min: $22.71 – Max: $25.00
Visual Language Interpreter
Min: $19.01 - Max: $28.12
Noon Hour Supervisor
Min: $14.85 – Max: $25.25

12. Applying for Jobs

13. Searching & Apply for Jobs
• Visit www.MakeaFuture.ca to:
– Find the latest employment listings
– Research school district employers
– Compare salaries between school districts
– Learn about the latest in-demand careers in
education
– Create an online portfolio and apply online

14. Writing Resumes
• Avoid skills based resumes
• Include an objective statement stating the
job you are applying for
• Tailor your resume to each job
• Don’t “overdesign” your resume
• Keep it succinct in two pages

15. Writing Cover Letters
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Do not write “To Whom It May Concern”
Personalize it with concrete examples
Describe achievements
Why you are the best candidate?
Use action verbs (e.g. Collaborated;
Coordinated)
• Spell check and Proof read!

16. Gathering Good References
• Provide at least three professional
references
• Ask for a good reference
• Ask for a reference letter if possible
• Inform your references ahead of time that
they may be contacted

17. Interviewing Tips
• Provide examples and tell stories about
your relevant experiences
• Use a portfolio to show-off
accomplishments & achievements
• Use the STAR technique
• Practice, practice, practice

18. Job Search Tips
• Volunteer at a school
• Be a specialist in teaching
• Respect each school districts unique
application process
• Apply for on-call roles at multiple districts
• Don’t apply for every job you see

19. Job Search Resources
• Resumes &
Portfolios
– Linkedin.com
– CVmkr.com
– VisualCV.com
– Pathbrite.com
• Interviews & Cover
Letters
– Quintcareers.com
• Job Search
– Huntsy.com
• Salary & Benefits
– www.bcpsea.bc.ca

20. Questions?
visit
email
www.makeafuture.ca
contactus@makeafuture.ca
www.Twitter.com/makeafuture
follow
like
www.Facebook.com/makeafuture