Head Start Assistant Preschool Teacher

Centralia College; Monroe (WA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State benefits package

Tuition waivers

Vacation and leave provisions

Job summary

Edmonds College in Snohomish County, Washington, is seeking a Head Start Assistant Teacher to create a safe, joyful, and inclusive preschool space. You will work with Lead Teachers to implement individualized learning experiences and support children from diverse backgrounds.

You will help manage classroom activities, observe progress, and ensure health, safety, and nutrition in daily routines. This is a full-time role with state benefits and tuition-related perks.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in, or commitment to enroll in during first year of employment, an early childhood education program at a college or university, or CDA credentialing program.
• One year of work experience in a preschool classroom.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and instruct children in a lively preschool setting with curriculum materials.
• Lead classroom activities during Lead Teacher absences.
• Support social-emotional growth using Pyramid Model Framework.
• Collaborate weekly with teaching team to maintain staff-to-child ratios.
• Observe and document developmental milestones and maintain records.
• Ensure health, safety, and supervision; assist with snacks, meals, and cleanup.

Skills

Early childhood education program

Preschool classroom experience

Education

CDA credentialing program

Early childhood education program enrollment

Job description

SALARY: $30,903 annually, with progressive increases to $40,213.50 annually

LOCATION: Snohomish County, Washington

DESCRIPTION

Every child¿s journey is unique, and as a Head Start Assistant Teacher , you will play a pivotal role in creating a safe, joyful, and inclusive space where preschool children can thrive. Working hand-in-hand with our Lead Teachers, you will help implement creative, individualized learning experiences for our students.

We are looking for a dedicated team player who builds trusting relationships with children¿honoring their individual differences, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and unique life circumstances with empathy and respect. If you are ready to grow your career in early childhood education while making a profound daily impact, this is the perfect place for you!

This is a classified position reporting to the Education Site Manager.

Position is opened until filled.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES INCLUDE:

In this role, you will be fully immersed in the heartbeat of the classroom, dedicating your energy to creating a stellar preschool experience:

• Inspire & Instruct: Actively teach children in a lively classroom setting, preparing curriculum materials and implementing individualized educational programming under the guidance of the Lead Teacher.
• Step Up as a Leader: Take the lead in managing the classroom during the Lead Teacher¿s daily office hours and whenever the Lead Teacher is absent.
• Support Social-Emotional Growth: Guide children and families through their developmental milestones using the trusted Pyramid Model Framework.
• Champion Program Collaboration: Meet weekly with your teaching team to synchronize on classroom needs. You'll also work collaboratively to maintain ideal staff-to-child ratios, stepping in to support other Early Head Start or Head Start classrooms to ensure seamless coverage.
• Observe & Document: Keep track of developmental milestones by recording anecdotal observations, conducting screenings, and maintaining organized paper and electronic records. You will also obtain and maintain Inter Rater Reliability using Teaching Strategies Gold within your first year.
• Nurture & Protect: Ensure the absolute health, safety, and supervision of all children at all times. You will handle classroom snack and meal services, manage daily sanitation, and set up a welcoming space (including moving child-sized furniture, tables, and shelves).

KEY COMPETENCIES & STRENGTHS

We are looking for a collaborative, organized leader who brings the following to our program:

• Cultural Humility: Deeply respect and connect with staff and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Team Spirit & Autonomy: The ability to work independently using appropriate judgment, while also being a collaborative, flexible team player.
• Problem-Solving & Tact: The capacity to navigate sensitive information and complex situations with confidentiality and care.
• Reliability: Comfort using a computer for written communication, a knack for staying organized amidst deadlines, and a commitment to maintaining a 95% attendance rate.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Enrolled in, or commitment to enroll in during first year of employment, an early childhood education program at a college or university, or Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credentialing program
• One year of work experience in a preschool classroom

(See Conditions of Employment section for additional requirements.)

PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is typically performed in a classroom setting, and onsite/in-person. Must be able to climb stairs and walk over uneven surfaces, walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on the floor, lift approximately 50 pounds (on an emergency, as-needed basis), sit in a child¿s sized chair, and move quickly from multiple positions and levels. Excellent communication skills are essential. This includes the ability to speak clearly and fully comprehend written and spoken English and will include communication with people for whom English is not their first language. This also includes the ability to produce clearly written documents. Those who are multilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.

WORK SCHEDULE

Monday - Friday, 38 hours per week (.95 FTE)

COMPENSATION

Salary range 42. Beginning salary is $1,817 semi-monthly (17 semi-monthly pay periods per year), with progressive increases to $2,365.50 semi-monthly. Work is performed from September through May each year. This position carries a full state benefits package, which includes tuition waivers for college classes, medical, dental, retirement options and more. Vacation and leave package includes 9 sick days per year, 11 scheduled holidays, 1 personal holiday, 3 personal leave days, and 12.75 vacation days per year (incremental increases to 18.75 vacation days per year).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• You must document your citizenship or employment authorization within three days of hire.
• Criminal background check. Prior to a new hire, you will be required to complete a Portable Background Check through DCYF.
• All new positions are contingent upon funding.
• At this time, Edmonds College does not sponsor H1-B Visas.

Established in 1967, Edmonds College is a public state college. It focuses on academic excellence, student success, and engagement, which reflect the three aspects of its mission: Teaching | Learning | Community. It serves about 18,000 students annually, including more than 800 international students from more than 55 countries. The college offers nearly 66 associate degrees and 111 professional certificates in 30 programs of study. Its highest enrolled programs are the Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degrees, Paralegal, Allied Health (pre-nursing degree), Business/Accounting, Construction Management, and Culinary Arts. The college is located in the center of the growing south Snohomish County communities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, and Woodway. For more information, visit www.edmonds.edu .

EEO/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:

The college provides equal opportunity in education and in employment per state and federal law. The college prohibits discrimination against any person due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), disability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. For questions about our nondiscrimination policy or gender equality and athletic teams, contact Kathy Smith (Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator/Investigator); Clearview Building, Room 122B; [e-mail], 425.640.1814.

JEANNE CLERY STATEMENT:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of Edmonds College¿s commitment to safety and security on campus, the College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Edmonds College¿s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.edmonds.edu/student-services/campus-safety-and-emergency-preparedness/clery-act/default.html .