Guest (Substitute) Preschool Assistant

Federal Way Public Schools; Federal Way (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Way Public Schools seeks an E-Start Assistant Teacher to support classroom learning, health services, and family involvement. The role requires completing or possessing ECE credentials and a health/safety mindset to assist in daily activities.

The position emphasizes collaborative planning with teachers, support for children with diverse needs, and adherence to district policies and safety standards. Salary is listed per hour and benefits align with district guidelines.

Qualifications

• AA degree or higher in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related field.
• Washington State ECE Initial Certificate or CDA/related credential accepted.
• Short credential options may apply with substitutions as specified in the posting.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning with teachers and staff; help prepare materials and environment.
• Interact positively with children and families; communicate regularly with families.
• Maintain a safe, developmentally appropriate classroom and supervise activities.
• Support health screenings, meals, and record-keeping for each child.
• Participate in interdisciplinary planning and family involvement activities.
• Assist in duties in the absence of the lead teacher and attend trainings.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Technology basics

Education

AA degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate

Washington State ECE Initial Certificate

12 Job-related credits

Job description

SALARY: $25.37 Per Hour

SALARY: $25.37 Per Hour

POSITION SUMMARY

The E-Start Assistant Teacher assists the teacher in providing children with a learning environment and varied experiences which will help them develop in all areas in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development, in enhancing parents' role as the principal influence on the child's education and development and to support children's physical well-being and access to on-going health services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Daily Program: Participates in planning with teachers and other staff members. Participates in preparation of materials and the environment. Assists in maintaining a safe, orderly and developmentally appropriate environment.
• Interactions with Children and Families: Interacts positively with all children to support their individual learning and meets their emotional needs. Works with the teachers in communicating regularly and respectfully with families and involving them in the program.
• Environment: Helps maintain a safe and healthy environment for children which is reflective of the cultures and languages of the enrolled families, and supervises children in the classroom, outdoor spaces and on field trips.
• Individualizing: Participates in ongoing assessment of individual children including written observations, work samples, and developmental checklist. Participates in developing and implementing individual learning plans (ILP). Assists in providing a curriculum and environment which meets the needs of every child, including those with disabilities.
• Health and Development Screening: Assist in administering screenings and performing health duties.
• Meals: Participates in meal preparations, family-style meal implementation and cleanup. Plans, sets-up and prepares meals as appropriate; eats family style meals with children. Serves food, identifying children's dietary accommodations with information provided by teacher/family support specialist. Completes USDA paperwork. Assists with maintaining emergency food and emergency non-food supplies.
• Record Keeping: Helps maintain complete written records for each child/family, which are stored in a confidential manner.
• Interdisciplinary Planning: Participates as a team member in interdisciplinary planning for children and families, and other cross-component coordination efforts.
• Parent Involvement: Participates in, encourages, and supports family involvement in all aspects of the program, including parent gatherings/meetings. May visit parents in their homes.
• Duties in Absence of Teacher: When requested, assumes responsibilities of teacher in his/her absence.
• Staff Training: Attends pre-service and other staff in-service trainings.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

AA degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate

OR

Washington State ECE Initial Certificate, Short certificate of Specialization, Current child developmental Assosiate (CDA) Credential (Any focus) from the council for Professional Recognition

OR

12 Job-related credits (Substitution: Professional Developmental Plan to complete above qualifications)

Additional Requirements

• Valid Food Handler's permit
• Abides by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety rules/standards and wears required safety equipment. Wears safe shoes with toe and heel covering.
• Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis

Preferred Qualifications

• One year experience in an early childhood setting
• Current and former E-Start parents receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are equally qualified

Condition Of Employment

• Criminal background clearance
• Possess and maintain a valid and current Food Handler's permit
• Possess and maintain a current district-approved pediatric CPR/First Aid card within 90 days of employment. District approved courses must include hands-on and written exam.
• Have reliable transportation
• Submit a Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) health clearance form from a medical provider
• Provide current negative TB test results or negative chest X-ray
• Cannot smell of smoke, perfume, or other chemicals
• Possess and maintain district-paid Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) certificated course
• Successfully complete the FWPS district-approved Right Response training at the advanced level at the next available time; maintain current certification at the advanced level through an annual recertification class

Knowledge Of

• School board policies and procedures
• Compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Ability To

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of technology and willingness and ability to increase knowledge to proficiency
• Organize and perform job responsibilities efficiently and independently without close supervision and able to pay strict attention to detail
• Speak, read and follow written or verbal communications
• Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines
• Develop and maintain positive customer relations with staff and service providers
• Work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers
• Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
• Relate effectively with parents, staff, students and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community
• Provide training and support to volunteers
• Follow directions/guidance from the teacher
• Use computer for word processing, databases, spreadsheets and other networking capabilities
• Provide supervision on field trips
• Perform job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY

• Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
• Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
• Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future."
• Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will constantly bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee is frequently required to stand/walk, stoop, squat, kneel, use hands for fine manipulation, and push/pull. The employee will occasionally be required to sit, climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, crawl, and lift/carry. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 10 pounds and must frequently lift /carry up to 20 pounds. The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 50 lbs. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum weight of 10 pounds. Anything over the weight limits should be done as a two-person lift or with a mechanical lift. The employee must be able to lift and hold children. The position also requires hand/finger dexterity; hearing; speaking; seeing; tasting; smelling; writing; and keyboarding. The position requires the employee to lift and move equipment, materials, and/or food up to 40 lbs., and push/pull carts with filled food containers, up to 300 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions in a controlled space with artificial lighting and some natural lighting. The employee may be required to go outside for recess. The indoor flooring is both carpeted and linoleum. The employee may go outside for recess. The employee regularly works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally loud. The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases carried by children and must follow universal precautions when caring for hygiene needs. The employee abides by OSHA safety rules/standards and wears required safety equipment, and wears safe shoes with toe and heel covering. This position requires exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals. The employee must adjust to frequent interruptions in their work schedule.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position typically works Monday through Friday during preschool hours during the school year. Hours may vary.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This position reports to the E-Start Center Coordinator and E-Start Teacher

REPRESENTATION

This position is not represented

Level Of Compensation

$25.37 Per Hour

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

Updated 8/2023

Disclaimer The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.

Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.