Head Start Assistant Teacher - Preschool

CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION; Canyon Creek; On-site; CAD 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION seeks a dedicated Early Childhood Support Assistant to help teachers deliver Head Start education to children and families. You will assist with assessments, lesson planning, classroom setup, and records, ensuring a safe, developmentally appropriate environment.

Role requires empathy, teamwork, and the ability to engage with diverse families, with training and certifications such as CDA or higher preferred.

Qualifications

• CDA certification or higher in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Experience in an early childhood education setting.
• Experience working with low-income and/or special needs children is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher with assessments and individualizations.
• Design and implement daily lesson plans.
• Maintain a developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Maintain classroom records (observation notes, attendance).
• Follow Bus Safely Protocol.
• Provide safe environment and continuous supervision.
• Use PBIS to guide children's behavior.
• Greet children and escort them to the classroom.
• Prepare instructional materials as directed.
• Participate in parent Open House and monthly meetings.
• Perform developmental screenings as requested.

Skills

Empathy with children

Teamwork

Positive behavior guidance

Family communication

Valid driver’s license

Food handler card

First Aid/CPR

Confidentiality

Education

CDA

Associates or higher in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Description

GENERAL OBJECTIVE:

Assist the classroom Teacher in providing Head Start educational services to selected low income and special needs children and their parents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist teacher with:
• assessments and individualizations.
• design and implementation of the daily lesson plan within the classroom.
• setting up and maintaining a developmentally appropriate classroom environment
• maintaining records relating to the classroom, such as child observation notes, lesson plan notes, and/or attendance.
• Consistently follows all aspects of the Procedures for Bus Safely Protocol.
• Ensure a safe environment for children and provide continuous supervision for all children.
• Uses a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) approach in directing and guiding children.
• Greet children and escort them to the classroom
• Under the direction of the teacher, prepare and gather materials for instructional purposes.
• In consultation with team members, participates in parent Open House during startup of each year.
• Attend and provide childcare at monthly parent meetings.
• Perform developmental screenings as requested.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Program Participation and Team Member:

• Arrive to work on time; punctually attend and actively participate in all required activities, meetings, and trainings.
• Be a respectful, cooperative, and reliable team member and participant in program activities.
• Project a professional work image, both in dress and manner.
• Be familiar with, and adhere to, position-related policies and procedures as well as the program’s overarching objectives.

Code of Conduct:

Perform all work in compliance with the Clackamas County Children’s Commission Code of Conduct

Confidentiality:

Respect and maintain confidentiality of information regarding enrolled children and families, personnel issues, and other program operations as appropriate.

Training:

In consultation with supervisor, develop professional work goals and training plan. Participate in training as requested.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Child Development Associate (CDA); Associates or higher degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in an early childhood education classroom, certified childcare center, or comparable group care program.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively with low income and special needs children.
• Ability to positively interact with families of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Ability to use a positive approach in directing and redirecting child behavior
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a current Oregon Food Handler’s Card
• Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle available for use on the job (or have alternative transportation).
• Ability to possess and maintain compliance with State of Oregon Criminal Background Registry.
• Ability to possess and maintain current First Aid/CPR certification.

Working Conditions:

• Work with physically active infants/toddlers for one or two class periods per day (each class period is 3.5-7.5 hours) and during meal periods
• Extensive standing, walking
• Moderate sitting, kneeling, bending