Early Learning Educational Assistant I, II, III - Makaha Elementary

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education; Waianae (HI); On-site; USD 33,700 - 39,361; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance premiums partially paid

Retirement and deferred compensation plans

Holidays, personal leave, and sick leave

Job summary

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education seeks Educational Assistants for the EOEL Public Prekindergarten Program in Waianae. The role involves supporting children in early learning environments, ensuring their safety and development. Candidates must meet specific educational requirements, including being a high school graduate and having some college credits or a relevant certification. Competitive benefits include health insurance and retirement plans, aimed at fostering a supportive educational environment.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• At least 48 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution, including 3 credits in mathematics and 3 in English.

Responsibilities

• Support early learning classrooms by cultivating healthy learning environments and experiences.
• Implement and assess learning experiences based on plans and goals.
• Observe children and document/assess their development and learning.

Job description

Overview

This posting is for Educational Assistant positions (Authorized Level: Educational Assistant III, applications may be accepted down to Educational Assistant I in recruiting difficulties). The role supports Early Learning classrooms in EOEL Public Prekindergarten Program, serving children in the year before kindergarten entry.

Salary Range

• Educational Assistant I, SR‑10: $3,019.78 per month
• Educational Assistant II, SR‑12: $3,260.76 per month
• Educational Assistant III, SR‑14: $3,526.98 per month

Responsibilities / Examples of Duties

• Cultivates healthy, challenging learning environments and experiences; converses with children positively during child-initiated activities, routines, transitions; greets children, ensures safe departure; instructs and models appropriate behavior; encourages positive social rapport; assists during transitions and routines; addresses conflicts; engages with children during play to promote development and learning in all domains.
• Implements and assesses learning experiences based on plans and goals; sets up activities/areas for indoor learning centers, group activities, and outdoor activities; supervises and conducts group and individual learning activities; builds positive relationships and guides children through supportive interactions.
• Observes children and documents/assesses their development and learning; collects other data as directed by the teacher.
• Ensures overall health and safety for children; assists in health and safety areas including toileting, handwashing, eating, resting; ensures safe environment; reports unsafe play/work areas, sanitizes materials; assists children in handling stressful situations.
• Prepares and maintains materials and environment for learning experiences; organizes and prepares learning centers as guided by the teacher; observes use of materials to provide modifications and adaptations; consults with teacher as needed.
• Supervises before, during, and after class activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Special Requirement: Applicants must possess one of the following:
  • Current Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
  • Completed training for a certificate that meets CDA Credential preparation requirements (including 120 hours of formal training in early childhood education for ages 3‑5). Evidence of completion must be provided.
• Driver's License Requirement: Some positions require a current, valid driver's license.
• Lift and Carry Requirement: Some positions require the ability to lift and carry up to 65 pounds and/or up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Education Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent; plus one of:
  • Exam approved by Hawaii State Department of Education (e.g., ParaPro or ParaPathways Assessment).
  • At least 48 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution, including 3 credits in mathematics and 3 in English.
  • Associate degree or higher from an accredited institution.

Experience Requirements

Applicants must have the kind, quality, and amount of experience described below:

• Educational Assistant I: 0 years general, 0 specialized.
• Educational Assistant II: 1 year general, 0 specialized.
• Educational Assistant III: 1 year general, 1 specialized.
• One (1) year of experience is defined as a school year (~180 instructional days in Hawaii).

• General Experience: Paid or volunteer experience involving direct interaction with people, demonstrating ability to provide and elicit information, observe, evaluate, and act/report accurately on situations. Examples: serving on school committees, advising youth groups, participating in parent/teacher/student meetings.
• Specialized Experience: Work experience providing direct academic, personal, social, vocational development, or behavioral services to children, students or individuals with disabilities, preferably supporting professional staff in an educational setting.

Substitutions Allowed

• Half‑year of Specialized Experience can be substituted for a CDA credential or related program from an accredited institution or approved community organization.
• Half‑year of General Experience can be substituted for 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution, up to one year.
• Half‑year of Specialized Experience can be substituted for 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits in Education or related field, up to two years.
• One year of General Experience can be substituted for an associate degree from an accredited institution.
• One year of General and Specialized Experience can be substituted for an associate degree in Education or related field.
• One year of General and Specialized Experience can be substituted for a bachelor degree or higher.
• High school graduates may substitute: completion of Level 4 TAP or LSP course, or possession of one credit for relevant work‑based learning through TAP or LSP programs. Up to two years specialized experience may be substituted.
• Excess Specialized Experience may substitute for General Experience.

Salary

The advertised salary is based on full‑time employment and includes shortage and school‑year differentials, if applicable.

Benefits

Employees receive competitive benefits including:

• Holidays, personal leave, and sick leave.
• Health insurance premiums partially paid by the State.
• Group life insurance.
• Tax‑sheltered beneficiary plans and flexible spending accounts.
• Retirement and deferred compensation plans.
• Temporary disability insurance, Social Security, and workers’ compensation.
• Union & Collective Bargaining rights, with optional takes on union service fees.

Equal Opportunity

The Hawaii State Department of Education does not discriminate in its educational policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability in accordance with Title IX, Title VI, Section 504, Age Discrimination Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act. The Department does not discriminate in employment policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sexual orientation, arrest and court record, National Guard participation, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability, in accordance with Title VII, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Equal Pay Act, and Hawaii Revised Statutes.