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

Hawaii State Department of Education; Waianae (HI); On-site; USD 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawaii State Department of Education is seeking Educational Assistants for Waianae locations. The authorized level is Educational Assistant III, with openings down to Educational Assistant I during recruitment.

Positions support Early Learning classrooms with independent work under the EOEL Public Prekindergarten program.

Qualifications

• Examination approved by the Hawaii DOE (ParaPro/ParaPathways) required.
• At least 48 baccalaureate credits with 3 in mathematics and 3 in English.
• An associate degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department.

Responsibilities

• Cultivates healthy, engaging learning environments for children; uses positive interactions during routines and transitions.
• Sets up activities for learning centers; conducts group and individual activities; guides children with supportive interactions.
• Observes and documents child development and learning; collects data as directed by the teacher.
• Ensures health and safety; assists with toileting, handwashing, eating, resting, and play; maintains safe environment.

Education

Examination approved by the Hawaii State Department of Education (e.g., ParaPro or ParaPathways Assessment)

48 college credits with 3 math and 3 English

Associate degree or higher

Job description

This posting is being used to fill various Educational Assistant positions at the specified location. The authorized level of the position is Educational Assistant III. Applications are being accepted down to Educational Assistant I in the event of recruiting difficulties.

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

Early Learning Educational Assistant positions are located on school campuses that have Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) Public Prekindergarten Program classrooms and serve children in the year before kindergarten entry. This position works independently to provide learning experiences in all areas of development and academic disciplines, in accordance with established guidelines, available resources, and the Early Learning classroom teacher. Some of the essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Cultivates healthy, challenging learning environments and experiences; converses with children in a positive manner during child-initiated activities and during routines and transitions; greets children upon arrival and ensures safe departure; instructs and models appropriate behavior; encourages positive social rapport; assists in guiding children during transitions and routines; addresses conflicts between children; engages with children during play to promote development and learning in all domains of development.
2. Implements and assesses learning experiences for children based on plans and goals established with or by the teacher; sets up activities/areas for children to participate in indoor learning centers, small or large group activities, and outdoor activities; supervises and conducts group and individual learning activities; builds positive relationships and guides children through supportive interactions.
3. Observes children and documents/assesses their development and learning; collects other data as directed by the teacher.
4. Ensures overall health and safety for children; assists children in areas related to health and safety, including toileting, handwashing, eating, resting, and playing; ensures healthy and safe environment; reports and follows-up on unsafe play/work areas and materials; sanitizes materials and surfaces when needed; assists children in dealing with stressful situations.
5. Prepares and maintains materials and environment for learning experiences; organizes and prepares learning centers as guided by the teacher; observes children’s use of materials and environment in order to provide modifications, adaptations; consults with teacher as needed.
6. Supervises before, during, and after class activities.

Special Requirement:

Applicants must meet one of the following options:

1. Possession of a current Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
2. Successful completion of training for a certificate that meets the requirements for CDA Credential preparation, including but not limited to:
   • University coursework at an acceptable institution of higher learning (e.g., Chaminade, UH System, etc.).
   • 120 hours of formal training in early childhood education (covering the growth and development of children ages 3 to 5 years) available through community organizations (e.g., PATCH, HIAEYC, etc.).
3. Be enrolled in a program, coursework, or training that prepares the individual to obtain a CDA Credential. Evidence of active pursuit toward completing the program must be provided annually to the EOEL.

Education Requirements

1. Successful completion of an examination approved by the Hawaii State Department of Education (Department), such as the ParaPro or ParaPathways Assessment provided by the Education Testing Service (ETS).
2. At least 48 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution recognized by the Department, which included 3 credits in mathematics and 3 credits in English.
3. An associate degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department.

Experience Requirements

Except for the substitutions provided for in this specification, applicants must have had the kind, quality, and amount of experience described below:

• Class Title, General Experience (years*), Specialized Experience (years*)
• Educational Assistant I, 0, 0
• Educational Assistant II, 1, 0
• Educational Assistant III, 1, 1

*One (1) year of experience is defined as a school year, which is approximately 180 instructional days in Hawaii.

General Experience: Paid or volunteer experience which involved direct interaction with people and demonstrated the ability to provide and elicit information, observe, evaluate and take action or report accurately on different situations. Examples include serving on school or community committees, advising youth groups, or participating in parent/teacher/student meetings and activities.

Specialized Experience: Work experience providing direct academic, personal, social, vocational development, or behavioral services to children, students, and/or individuals with disabilities, preferably in an educational setting supporting professional staff.

Driver's License Requirement: Some positions require possession of 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 lift and carry up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Substitutions Allowed

1. Possession of a Child Development Associate credential, or completion of a related program from an accredited institution recognized by the Department or an approved community organization may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of Specialized Experience.
2. Successful completion of 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of General Experience up to a maximum of one (1) year.
3. Successful completion of 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits in Education or closely related field from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of Specialized Experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.
4. Possession of an associate degree from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one (1) year of General Experience.
5. Possession of an associate degree in Education or closely related field from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for all General and Specialized Experience.
6. Possession of a bachelor degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for all General and Specialized Experience.
7. For high school graduates from a Department school, each of the following may substitute for one (1) year of Specialized Experience up to a maximum of two (2) years:

• a. Completion of the Level 4 course in either the Teaching As a Profession (TAP) or Learning Support Professionals (LSP) program.
• b. Possession of one (1) credit for relevant work-based learning (internship, fieldwork, etc.) through the TAP or LSP programs.
• 8. Excess Specialized Experience may be substituted for the General Experience.

Quality of Experience: Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position.

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

Requirements: Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the date of the application, unless otherwise specified. Unless specifically indicated, the required education and experience may not be gained concurrently. Calculation of experience is based on full-time, 40-hour workweeks. Part-time experience is pro-rated. Example: Twelve months of experience at 20 hours/week is equivalent to six months of experience, not one year. Also, hours worked in excess of 40 hours/week will not be credited. Example: Twelve months of experience at 60 hours/week is equivalent to one year of experience, not one and a half years.

Temporary Assignment: Claims of Temporary Assignment (TA) experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements must be verified and attached to the application using one of the options below:

1. A copy of the applicant’s TA History Report or equivalent system-generated report;
2. A signed letter from the applicant’s supervisor that includes the applicant’s name, his/her TA job title, the TA start and end dates (from mm/yy to mm/yy), his/her specific TA duties performed, and either the TA hours worked per week or total TA hours worked; or,
3. Copies of the applicant’s signed SF-10 Forms.

Documents: Attach all relevant supporting documents to your application. Documents that were attached to applications submitted before November 16, 2023 do not automatically attach or transfer to applications submitted on and after December 16, 2023. All submitted documents become the property of the Hawaii State Department of Education.

Information about Temporary Positions: Temporary positions may be extended year to year, dependent upon funding and departmental needs. Making yourself available for temporary positions increases your employment possibilities and may lead to permanent opportunities. A person hired for a temporary position may also become a temporary employee upon satisfactory completion of the initial probation period of at least six months. Once a temporary employee, you would be eligible to apply for promotion and transfer opportunities to permanent as well as other temporary positions. You may also enjoy other rights and benefits as afforded to an employee in a permanent position, with the exception of return rights and placement rights associated with a reduction-in-force.