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

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hawaii State Department of Education is seeking an Educational Assistant III to join a classroom support team. Applications are accepted down to EA I if recruitment difficulties arise, reflecting a flexible staffing pathway.

The role centers on creating positive learning environments, assisting teachers, documenting child development, and maintaining health and safety during daily routines and activities.

Qualifications

• CDA Credential required or equivalent training.
• General Experience: 1 year (EA II) or 1 year (EA III).
• Specialized Experience: 1 year (EA III).
• Substitutions allowed include credit/degree substitutions for experience.
• High school graduates may substitute with coursework or degrees as specified.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate healthy, engaging learning environments and guide children during routines and transitions.
• Implement and assess learning experiences with teachers; set up activities and supervise groups.
• Observe and document children's development and learning progress.
• Ensure health and safety; assist with toileting, handwashing, meals, and safe play.
• Prepare materials and learning centers; supervise classes before, during and after activities.

Education

CDA Credential

ParaPro/ParaPathways

48+ credits incl. math & English

Associate degree

Bachelor degree

Job description

Description

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

Examples of Duties

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• Supervises before, during, and after class activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following options:

Special Requirement

• Possession of a current Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
• 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.).
• 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

• Graduation from high school or equivalent and one of the following, as described by the Federal Government's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001:
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.

Substitutions Allowed

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Possession of an associate degree from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one (1) year of General Experience.
• 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.
• Possession of a bachelor degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for all General and Specialized Experience.
• 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:
• Completion of the Level 4 course in either the Teaching As a Profession (TAP) or Learning Support Professionals (LSP) program.
• Possession of one (1) credit for relevant work-based learning (internship, fieldwork, etc.) through the TAP or LSP programs.
• 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.

Supplemental Information

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:

• A copy of the applicant’s TA History Report or equivalent system-generated report;
• 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,
• 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.

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 of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. The Department does not discriminate in its employment policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sexual orientation, arrest and court record, and National Guard participation, as well as on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability, in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, Equal Pay Act of 1963, and Chapter 378, Part I, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Payday

New employees can expect their first paycheck within the first 3 pay periods of their start date. Payday is on the 5th and 20th (or previous business day) of every month.

Benefits

• Holidays, Personal Leave, and Sick Leave: Many employees enjoy paid holidays, personal leave, and sick leave during the school year provided that all conditions under the respective collective bargaining agreement are met.
• Health Insurance: If eligible, the State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State-sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan.
• Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees and retirees.
• Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax‑saving benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out‑of‑pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE‑TAX basis.
• Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees with at least 10 years of credited service and who have reached 62 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and are 55 years old may retire and receive benefits.
• Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA): If eligible, Department employees are able to participate in a tax shelter annuity program. The TSA plan allows eligible employees to contribute pre‑tax dollars to an employee-selected investment service provider authorized to provide TSA products.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers employees a tax deferred (sheltered) retirement investment program. This program is an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several investment options are available.
• Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non‑work related injury or illness under this program.
• Social Security: As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee's social security account.
• Workers' Compensation: If an employee is injured while on the job, benefits covering medical expenses and partial wage support may be available through workers' compensation.
• Union & Collective Bargaining: Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance and other opportunities. Employees may also decide not to join a union, however, employees are required to pay union service fees unless the employee's job is excluded from collective bargaining.

The above is intended as a general summary of the benefits offered and is subject to change. This does not constitute a contract or binding agreement. Benefits vary by type of employment appointment and collective bargaining agreements.