Early Learning-Center Bus Assist/Center Support Assistant (Thurston County)

Sylvania; Tumwater (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Retirement options

Sick Leave and Personal Leave

Job summary

Sylvania in Tumwater, Washington, is seeking a Center Bus Assistant/Center Support Assistant for the 2026-2027 school year. This role involves providing age-appropriate activities for preschool children, assisting teachers, and ensuring a safe and clean environment. Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and ideally, experience working with preschool children. The position offers comprehensive benefits and a commitment to educational justice.

Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, and Retirement options. This is a union-represented position under the Federation of Head Start Employees.

Qualifications

• 1 year of experience working with preschool children desired.
• Knowledge of stages of child development and age-appropriate activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide age-appropriate activities for preschool children.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment for students.
• Supervise students during various activities.

Skills

Adhering to safety practices

Guiding and motivating students

Preparing and maintaining accurate records

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Center Bus Assistant/Center Support Assistant

Best to apply by 7/10/26

This position is intended for the 2026-2027 school year.

ESD 113 learns from and cares for our staff, schools, students, families, and the land, works alongside communities to build pathways that expand opportunity, and acts with collective purpose to advance educational justice.

The work schedule is 8 hours/day and 204 days/year. The work calendar will be determined by the school program.

This position is located at in Thurston County, WA.

Benefits include Medical/Dental/Vision, Life/AD&D insurance, FSA/DCAP, LTD insurance, Retirement/DCP, EAP, Sick Leave, Personal Leave, and Holiday Pay.

Required attachments: Transcript, Resume, and Cover Letter

Please see the job description below for a list of Essential Functions.

Purpose Statement

The job of ELP- Center Bus Assistant/Center Support Assistant is done for the purpose/s of providing age-appropriate activities for children enrolled in the Head Start program under the direction of the Center Director; providing clerical support to teachers; assisting in maintaining a clean and safe classroom environment for the students; assisting students while they are being transported to and from school; and providing discipline, guidance, and safety to the students while they are on the bus.

This job is distinguished from similar jobs by the following characteristics: This is a union-represented position (Federation of Head Start Employees) and is further distinguished from similar jobs per the essential functions and educational requirements listed below.

Reports to: ELP- Center Director II

Essential Functions

• Assists preschool students (e.g. tying shoes, mittens, hats, coats, etc.) for the purpose of providing for their needs during transport, safe loading and unloading from buses including both emergency situations and normal transport.
• Assists teachers in the supervision of students in various outdoor activities for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Assists the teacher with age-appropriate activities by working with individual or small groups of students (e.g. games, art, music, science, language, nutrition, etc.) for the purpose of guiding and/or reinforcing learning concepts and by addressing student's needs.
• Distributes instructional and/or play materials for the purpose of providing students with necessary items and assisting the teacher in the classroom.
• Monitors children in various activities (e.g. lunch, snack time, rest periods, group or individual play, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Instructs preschool students for the purpose of enforcing rules and regulations and providing positive discipline and guidance for students.
• Promotes good habits for the purpose of improving the quality of student outcomes and encouraging student development.
• Secures students and/or equipment (e.g. wheelchairs, seat belts, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the safety and welfare of students.
• Attends meetings, workshops, etc. for the purpose of receiving and/or conveying information.
• Performs record-keeping and clerical functions (e.g. copying, attendance, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or providing necessary records/instructional materials.
• Prepares written materials for the purpose of documenting activities, providing reliable information, and complying with district, state, and federal requirements.
• Reports observations and incidents (e.g. discipline, accidents, inappropriate social behavior, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate personnel.
• Maintains classroom equipment and work area for the purpose of ensuring the availability of items and/or providing a clean and safe learning environment.
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Skills Required: Skills are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; guiding and motivating students; preparing and maintaining accurate records.

Knowledge Required: Knowledge is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read and follow instructions; and understand multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: stages of child development; age-appropriate activities and positive reinforcement. Basic knowledge of Head Start or ECEAP program and one year of experience working with preschool children desired.

Abilities Required: Ability is required to schedule activities; collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with data utilizing specific, defined processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with others; work with specific, job-related data; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Problem solving with data requires following prescribed guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with a variety of groups; fostering positive relationships; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to affect the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and in a generally hazard free environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Job related experience is desired.

Education (Minimum): High school diploma or equivalent.

Equivalency: None specified.

Required Testing, Certificates and Licenses

Required Testing:

• Physical exam within 6 weeks of hire and periodic exams every 4 years.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Obtain CPR/First Aid Certificate within 60 days of hire
• Obtain Food Handlers Permit within 30 days of hire

Continuing Education/Training: None Specified

Required Clearances:

• Criminal Justice and DEL Fingerprint/Background Clearance
• MMR Clearance
• WA State Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Release

Employment Information

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Salary Grade: 12

Capital Region ESD 113 is an Equal Opportunity Employer