Assistant Teacher - Early Childhood Programs

Willamalane-Park-and-Recreation-Distric; Springfield (OR); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 2,480,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation leave

Paid holidays

Medical and dental insurance

Free use of pools

Free fitness center

Discount on recreation programs

Job summary

Willamalane Park and Recreation District is seeking an Assistant Teacher for Early Childhood Programs. This part-time non-exempt role supports the Lead Teacher in monthly curriculum and enrichment activities, ensuring a safe, positive environment for preschool and early elementary children.

Responsibilities include supervising children, leading activities, preparing snacks, and communicating with parents. Effective teamwork and adherence to Oregon childcare guidelines are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience with mentoring and engaging with preschool-pre K children in a childcare setting.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating daily activities in a childcare setting.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to contribute as a team member in a fast-paced, diverse work environment.
• Comprehension of Oregon State childcare rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor participant safety and attendance; supervise children during activities.
• Lead age-appropriate enrichment activities and manage centers, circle time, art, gym, and outdoor play.
• Prepare and serve snacks; clean up according to standards.
• Provide positive behavior support and social-emotional guidance to children.
• Maintain records on programs, classes, and activities.
• Respond to questions from parents and keep them informed about progress.

Skills

Mentoring

Interpersonal communication

Teamwork

Child development knowledge

Safety awareness

Behavior management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or certificate in early childhood

Job description

ASSISTANT TEACHER - EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

Part-time (25-39 hrs./wk.), non-exempt, Benefitted, AFSCME represented position

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:

Open to Willamalane employees only through 5pm on 10/19/2026

Open until filled; application screening will begin immediately

Anticipated start date 10/19/2026

JOB DESCRIPTION:

General Statement Of Duties:

Assists Lead Teacher with the preparation and implementation of monthly curriculum and enrichment activities; assists in providing a positive learning environment that supports children's social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development; Monitors and supervises preschool-kindergarten age children in a variety of activities in a classroom setting at a program site; Recommends program activities and projects; ensures safety of children who are participating in the program; does related work as required.

Distinguishing Features of the Class:

An employee in this classification is responsible for ensuring the safety of children in the program while supervising and assisting children in developmentally appropriate activities such as games, songs, learning activities, arts and crafts projects, gym time, nap time, snack and/or lunch; recommending and implementing activities and projects. Work is performed under the supervision of the Recreation Supervisor with daily on-site direction from an Early Childhood Teacher. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of positions in this classification.

Examples Of Essential Duties Performed:

• Monitor participant safety with various measures including attendance taking and frequent head counts. Ensure the safety of all participants and program staff at the site.
• Lead and supervise children in age-appropriate enrichment activities such as centers and circle time, art projects, outdoor and gym time, songs and games, nap time, snack and/or lunch; leads, directs and prepares activities as requested.
• Prepare and serve snacks; perform necessary clean up according to Food Service standards and practices.
• Provide redirection to children using Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports strategies, as well as social-emotional age-appropriate language.
• Prepare room; set up supplies and/or equipment for activities; perform necessary clean up.
• Respond to questions from parents and keep them informed regarding the child's progress and achievements.
• Report all cases of suspected child abuse to supervisor and contact Services to Children & Families as necessary.
• Respond to incidents utilizing First Aid, CPR/AED as needed.
• Maintain necessary records and files on programs, classes, and activities.
• Performs other job-related duties or tasks as required.

DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with mentoring and engaging with preschool-pre K children in a childcare setting.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating daily activities in a childcare setting.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to contribute as a team member in a fast-paced, diverse work environment.
• Comprehension of Oregon State childcare rules and regulations.

Knowledge:

Knowledge of positive behavior management for preschool age children; some knowledge of age-appropriate activity development for children.

Skills:

Planning and implementing recreational and educational activities for preschool age children; excellent customer service skills; childcare record keeping.

Abilities:

Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; work successfully with children, parents, and staff; work as a member of a team; act calmly and effectively in emergency situations; intervene in conflicts effectively by using positive intervention strategies; understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Requirements of the Position:

The employee will frequently be required to stand and be mobile for over 70% of the work period. While performing the duties of this position the employee will frequently be required to crouch or kneel and seldom be required to bend and twist. Physical exertion and coordination is occasionally required to lift materials up to 30 pounds such as activity materials, snack foods, furniture etc. The position requires manual dexterity and coordination, for the vast majority of the work period. In performing the essential duties of this position, the employee will spend over 50% of the work period indoors and the remainder outdoors, thus exposure to heat in summer is possible. Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

Personal Protective Equipment:

Ability to use protective equipment required to perform job tasks as needed and as required by health and safety guidelines.

Minimum Experience & Training:

High school graduation or equivalency and one year of experience working with children in a comparable preschool or early child development center; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above-described duties.

Preferred Experience & Training:

Associate degree or certificate in early childhood, child development, or a related field, and one year of progressively responsible experience working with children in a comparable preschool or early child development center; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above-described duties. Individuals bilingual in Spanish or ASL are encouraged to apply; a bilingual rate adjustment for Spanish or ASL is contingent upon passing a proficiency test.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Possession of or ability to obtain the following within first 30 days of employment

• First aid and CPR certification
• Oregon Food Handler Permit
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect certification (RRCAN)
• Introduction to Childcare Health and Safety certification (ICCHS)
• Foundations for Learning Certification (FFL)
• Enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry (CBR), within 7 days of hire date.
• This job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test and ability to pass a criminal background check will be required prior to employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Hours/Shifts

Monday - Friday, 10:15 AM - 5:45 PM.

Drug Free Workplace

This job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test and ability to pass a criminal background check will be required prior to employment.

Oregon Pay Equity

Willamalane Park and Recreation District determines starting pay based on the applicant's relevant education, experience and training within the wage and salary range for the position. This process is consistent with Oregon pay equity laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

BENEFITS:

• Paid vacation leave upon completion of probationary period, which is the 1st of the month following at least 6 months from hire date. Vacation leave benefits will accrue based on years of service.
• Paid sick leave beginning with date of hire, 1 hour accrual for every 30 hours worked.
• Paid holidays (11 District-recognized holidays/year) pro-rated based on the employee's FTE.
• Medical and dental, life, and long-term disability insurance, 1st of the month following date of hire.
• Annual cost of living increase (up to 4% as approved by the Board).
• Merit increase (3%) upon successful completion of probationary period and then annually.
• Additional $1/hour increase upon successful completion of a Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL) competency test.
• Voluntary deferred compensation and flexible spending programs.
• Discount on selected childcare programs (see Policy Manual for restrictions).
• 25-percent discount on certain recreation programs.
• Free use of pools for lap and play swim for employee and family.
• Free use of fitness center for employee and family.
• Free Wellness programs for employee.
• Automatic payroll deduction for union membership dues.
• Payroll direct deposit is available.