Why create a tutor job description?
If your program plans to recruit tutors from outside the community, you will need a job description to post online or otherwise circulate. If your program plans to rely on teachers at partner schools, students’ families, or peer tutors, you should still create a job description internally for selection purposes. The checklist and the examples below will help you make sure your job description gets read, attracts applicants, and targets the specific kind of candidates you think would make ideal tutors in your program.
Tutor Job Description Checklist
Use your Model Dimensions, Value Proposition and Measurement Plan to aid you in drafting your job description.
- Job Title. Keep it simple. “Creative” titles won’t show up in search results. Include grade level & content area.
- One-paragraph overview of the tutor role. Put it first; it’s what applicants want to know. Use “you” phrasing.
- Model Dimensions. Where will tutors work? Teaching what? How often? With how many students? Etc.
- One-paragraph overview of the program itself. Put this second, or applicants may just skip past it to the role.
- Value Proposition. Well-established programs may not need to describe themselves, but newer programs should.
- Brief list of responsibilities. What tutors will actually do. Start each item with a specific and meaningful verb.
- Measurement Plan. What everyday actions will tutors need to take to make progress towards key goals?
- Don’t forget to include a catch-all (“other duties as necessary”) in case unexpected needs arise.
- Measurement Plan. What everyday actions will tutors need to take to make progress towards key goals?
- Brief list of qualifications. This section should make clear all criteria selectors will use to evaluate applications.
- Eligibility. What are the bare minimum criteria an applicant must meet?
- Education: High school diploma, in college, college degree, graduate coursework/degree, etc.
- Do you require specific college majors or coursework? A minimum or preferred GPA?
- Required Content Knowledge: If none/minimal, clearly say so (to broaden your applicant pool).
- Legal requirements: USA work eligibility, background checks (and who pays for them), etc.
- Education: High school diploma, in college, college degree, graduate coursework/degree, etc.
- Eligibility. What are the bare minimum criteria an applicant must meet?
- Beliefs & mindsets. Make these clear to help find and attract candidates who actually share your values.
- Examples: Commitment to equity, growth mindset (for self and students), high expectations, etc.
- Though harder to measure, these are more important than skills, which are easier to train for.
- Skills & qualities. Distinguish required skills (what you select for) from ideal skills (what you train for).
- Examples: Clear communicator, engaging & relatable to students, empathetic listener, etc.
- List community-specific skills (e.g. Spanish fluency); this may also help diversify your cohort.
- Compensation. Leaving this out may mean that high-quality applicants with other options don’t bother applying.
- Pay: Be upfront about compensation or applicants may research it elsewhere (i.e. Glassdoor) and find outdated info.
- Is this a volunteer role? Is there an hourly wage? A stipend? A salary range? Are there pay steps?
- If pay is variable, what does it depend on? Prior experience? Longevity in the role? Make it clear.
- Pay: Be upfront about compensation or applicants may research it elsewhere (i.e. Glassdoor) and find outdated info.
- Benefits: Easier to overlook, but listing these can help applicants imagine themselves thriving in the role.
- Health: Health insurance may be less relevant for college-age tutors, but critical to those over 26.
- Education: College credit, student loan forbearance, an education award, tuition remission, etc.
- Perks: List as many as you can, but keep it objective. (“Free coffee,” not “inspiring coworkers.”)
- Equal Opportunity Statement. Applicants may not read these in detail, but they’ll notice if you don’t have one.
- These values also should be integrated throughout the entire job description, not just as a separate addendum.
- Review all sections with this lens, correcting biased language around gender, race, religion, etc.
- Examples for equal opportunity statements and guidance for writing them can be found here.
Tutor Job Description Examples
Denver Fellows: Tutor Job DescriptionContent Area & Grade Level: High School Math |
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Reading Corps: Tutor Job DescriptionContent Area & Grade Level: Pre-K through 3rd Grade Literacy |
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