Assistant Teacher (2 openings)

Ohkay Owingeh; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohkay Owingeh is seeking a teaching assistant to support classroom activities, Student growth, and family engagement within a Pueblo-based Head Start program. The role emphasizes safety, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration with teachers and parents.

Responsibilities include assisting with lesson plans, supervising children, maintaining records, and participating in field trips and conferences as needed. CDA credential and First Aid/CPR are required, HS diploma or GED is mandatory.

Qualifications

• Must pass pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• One-year experience with preschool children preferred.
• Certified Child Development Associate (CDA) required.
• Certified in First Aid and CPR.
• Food Handler’s Certificate required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing lesson plans to develop physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth.
• Support teachers with activities across curriculum areas.
• Supervise group activities and field trips.
• Encourage children to value their cultural heritage.
• Maintain accurate records including assessments and IEP/ILP documentation.
• Assist with parent engagement and home visits for family support.

Skills

Microsoft Office

English communication

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Certified Child Development Associate (CDA)

First Aid and CPR

Food Handler’s Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Under the direct supervision of the Education & Disabilities Manager assists in providing classroom experiences to enhance and promote the educational, intellectual, social growth and development of children. Maintains a safe and healthy learning environment that reflects the Pueblo’s Culture.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work under the direct supervision of the Education & Disabilities Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

NATURE OF WORK

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in implementing lesson plans in a manner that will develop each child’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social behavior and in accordance with Head Start strategic plan; assists with planned activities to stimulate growth in language, social, and motor skills.
• Assists Teachers in providing stimulation activities and experiences in all curriculum areas; avoids activities causing over-stimulation or fatigue.
• Assists Teacher in providing and supervising a variety of experiences by means of dramatic play, storytelling, field trips, and group discussion to stimulate students’ interest in and broaden understanding of their physical and social environment.
• Encourages children to take pride in their cultural heritage.
• Assists in analyzing and appraising children’s progress and maintaining accurate written records, including assessments, IEP and ILP documentation, screening instrumentation, anecdotal observations, and other forms in a child’s working file.
• Accompanies and transports children on field trips or to activities.
• Instructs children in practices of personal cleanliness and self-care.
• Fosters cooperative social behavior; promotes self-expression and appreciation of aesthetic experiences.
• Ensures the cleanliness and safety of materials, classroom, and playgrounds by performing routine inspections.
• Assists classroom volunteers and parents in feeling welcomed, comfortable, and involved.
• Assists Teachers in maintaining effective working relationships with parents by assisting with parent participation.
• Accompanies Teachers on home visits with families for purposes of assessment, support, and sharing information on parenting, educational strategies, and classroom progress.
• Completes attendance records and accident and incident reports.
• Updates the Parent Communication ensuring accurate and timely information.
• Attends Monthly Parent Meetings; occasional weekend activities; and other program coordinated events.
• Assists Teacher in implementing established classroom rules and routines and ensuring that they are understood and accepted by children and their parents.
• Assists children in getting off and on the bus; provides transportation to children as needed; drives program

bus on an established schedule.

• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Must be willing to sign a confidentiality statement upon hire.
• Must be familiar with community resources that assist youth and families in the communities we service.
• Must be culturally sensitive and be able to work effectively with individuals from different ethnic backgrounds.
• Must be physically able to perform job duties.
• Must satisfy health requirements as defined by the federal program standards.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong clerical and computer/database skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Performs other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, SKILLS, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and pueblo customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of the functions and structure of Ohkay Owingeh.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.
• Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice, and desire to help when dealing with people.
• Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules.
• Ability to supervise and ensure a safe learning environment for young children.
• Ability to respond to emergency or crisis situations.
• Ability to demonstrate excellence in everything, and continually seek improvement in results.
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Skill in administering disciplinary rules to children and resolving situational conflicts among children.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must successfully be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.
• High School Diploma or GED
• One-year experience working with children at the pre-school level preferred
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Certified Child Development Associate (CDA)
• Certified in First Aid and CPR
• Possession of Food Handler’s Certificate

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; sit; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally performed in a classroom setting with a moderate noise level. Evening, weekend, and/or holiday work may be required. Travel is required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.

The position description identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE

VETERAN PREFERENCE

About us

We, the unique Tribal Employees of Ohkay Owingeh a sovereign, diverse, traditionally and culturally based entity operating within the Pueblo Land Grant, with its own language, are here to serve, provide for, and protect our community, people, environment and surroundings communities through the guidance of the Tribal Council and progressive administrative leadership.