Educational Assistant (EA) School-Run Early Childhood Learning Center

Zuni Public Schools; Zuni Pueblo (NM); On-site; USD 21,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Zuni Public Schools is seeking an Educational Assistant for the Shiwi Ts'ana Elementary - Early Childhood Learning Center. The role supports infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, under the supervision of the Lead Teacher and Program Director, ensuring safety, development, and health standards are met.

The position requires a high school diploma, relevant health and safety certifications, and licensing as required by NM ECECD.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• New Mexico Educational Assistant License or willingness to obtain.
• CPR and Pediatric First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Must complete Mandated Reporter training during onboarding.
• Background check and FBI fingerprint clearance.
• Ability to communicate in English, both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Treat all children with dignity and respect.
• Assist with diapering, feeding, and toileting per licensing standards.
• Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and supervision at all times.
• Prepare materials and records related to the classroom.
• Assist with emergency procedures and health/safety documentation.

Skills

Communication skills

English proficiency

Caregiving

Physical stamina

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

NM Educational Assistant License or willingness to obtain

CPR and Pediatric First Aid Certification

Background check clearance

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data entry

Job description

Job Description

Job DescriptionPosition:Educational Assistant (EA) School-Run Early Childhood Learning Center

Reports to: Lead Classroom Teacher/Caregiver & Program Director

Site: Shiwi Ts'ana Elementary - Early Childhood Learning Center

FLSA Status:Non-exempt

Contract Length: 9 months

Salary:$21,498.75 to $35,490.65 depending upon experience and education

Purpose Works directly under the supervision of the Early Childhood Learning Center Lead Classroom Teacher/Caregiver and Program Director. Assists with the daily care, safety, and developmental needs of infants, toddlers, and/or preschool-age children, including feeding, diapering/toileting, and age-appropriate learning activities, in compliance with New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) licensing standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required;
• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must complete ECECD-approved Pre-Service Health & Safety Training/orientation prior to unsupervised contact with children, and maintain ongoing ECECD Professional Development System training requirements (minimum 24 hours annually, per NMAC 8.16.2);
• Current CPR and Pediatric First Aid certification (hands-on component required; online-only certification not accepted), or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire;
• Must complete Mandated Reporter training (child abuse and neglect recognition/reporting) during onboarding;
• Must complete infant/toddler-specific training within three (3) months of assignment to an infant/toddler classroom, if applicable;
• Must pass an ECECD/CYFD background check, including FBI fingerprint-based clearance, in accordance with 8.8.3 NMAC, prior to unsupervised contact with children, and maintain eligibility (renewed at least every five years);
• Current TB screening and immunization records (or documented exemption) on file, per program and local public health guidance;
• New Mexico Public Education Department Educational Assistant License, or willingness to obtain, as applicable to site requirements;
• Ability to develop an effective working relationship with children, families, staff, volunteers, and community;
• Experience with computers with the ability to enter data, utilize technology and Microsoft Office programs;
• Ability to plan and implement age-appropriate activities based on department, licensing, and site objectives and the needs and abilities of the children assigned;
• Ability to communicate with children and families orally and in writing in English;
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram and schedule form;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of child and family records;
• Able to perform the following essential duties, physical and mental functions, and utilize the essential equipment of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Essential Duties

• Treat all children with dignity and respect;
• Follow the directions of the Lead Classroom Teacher/Caregiver within the scope of the position;
• Change diapers and assist with toileting/potty-training in accordance with ECECD health and sanitation standards, including proper handwashing and diaper-changing station sanitation procedures, and document changes as required;
• Assist with feeding, bottle preparation, and mealtime/snack routines, including adherence to any allergy or dietary restriction plans;
• Maintain compliance with required staff-to-child ratios and supervision standards at all times, including during transitions, naptime, and outdoor play;
• Assist Lead Classroom Teacher/Caregiver with:
• Provision of direct care and support in areas which have been taught utilizing a variety of developmentally appropriate methods and materials;
• Managing multiple projects, schedules and classroom/child activities;
• Planning activities and developing age-appropriate instructional and play-based materials;
• Preparation of materials, record-keeping (including daily logs of feeding, diapering, and naps) and other daily tasks associated with the classroom;
• Reinforcing developmentally appropriate behaviors for individual and/or small groups of children and monitoring children's ability to follow directions and behavior.
• Establish, model, practice and reinforce age-appropriate rules and logical consequences;
• Assist with the implementation of classroom procedures, systems and routines that provide structure for children and maximize learning and play time;
• Maintain charts and records related to children's development, health, and daily care;
• Assist with the preparation of required reports (including licensing and health/safety documentation) accurately and in a timely fashion;
• Maintain a clean, safe, sanitary, and organized classroom and diaper-changing/toiletting area, including routine cleaning and disinfecting per licensing standards;
• Provide immediate, corrective and/or positive feedback to children regarding behavior and/or developmental progress;
• Maintain confidentiality of child records, conversations, discussions and classroom information;
• Maintain supervision and discipline in the classroom in the absence of the Lead Teacher/Caregiver for short periods of time, while maintaining required ratios;
• Immediately report any suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with Mandated Reporter training and New Mexico law;
• Assist with emergency preparedness procedures, including fire, weather, and lockdown drills, per licensing requirements;
• Participate in required in-service training, ECECD Professional Development System coursework, and annual training hours;
• Meet New Mexico ECECD/Public Education Department competencies for the position;
• Perform other assigned duties on a timely basis.

Physical Functions

• Frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, bend, kneel, and crouch (including for diaper changing and floor-level child care);
• Occasionally required to lift and carry children and equipment up to 30 pounds; may lift up to 75 pounds with the help of another employee;
• Usually works on even surfaces, may walk on uneven surfaces outdoors during outdoor play/supervision;
• Exposed to various degrees of noise (children playing, activities, assemblies, etc.). The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud;
• Works in close proximity of other individuals, including direct physical contact with children for care and safety purposes;
• Ability to adjust focus from various tools to include: computer, written assignments, typed material, and age-appropriate learning/play equipment.

Mental Functions

• Must be able to:
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written and oral form;
• Deal with children and parents in such a way to maintain their goodwill;
• Respond appropriately to child behavior in a developmentally appropriate manner;
• Respond appropriately to supervision and accept recommendations;
• Communicate verbally and in writing in English;
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from children, parents, peers and supervisor;
• Handle stress, work under pressure of deadlines, interruptions and frustrations;
• Handle difficult people and difficult situations; work on conflict resolution and problem solving;
• Remain calm and act decisively in emergency or health/safety situations involving young children;
• Organize data, information and disseminate to appropriate venues.

Essential Equipment

• Operate phone, computer, scanner, printer, calculator, etc.;
• Operate diapering, feeding, and other age-appropriate child care equipment and supplies;