Head Start Classroom Assistant - Multiple Locations

Tacoma Public Schools; Washington; On-site; USD 39,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Tacoma Public Schools seeks a paraeducator to support Early Learning classroom staff and promote each child’s growth across physical, social, emotional, and intellectual domains. This FLOAT position collaborates with the classroom associate instructor to implement developmentally appropriate activities.

Starting November 2026, the role is 0.9375 FTE (7.5 hours per day, 182 work days, 10 months). Benefits are offered; daily schedule may vary to meet program needs and student requirements.

Qualifications

• Be at least eighteen years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• At least 12 college quarter credits in early childhood education credential required.
• One of the following: ECE certificate, AA in ECE, BA in education-related field, or a CDA credential.

Responsibilities

• Assist with and deliver individual and group instruction to promote intellectual growth.
• Support curriculum planning and provide positive learning experiences in the classroom.
• Assist with child screenings and data entry into assessment systems as required.
• Model appropriate behavior and supervise students for safety and social development.
• Facilitate communication with families and support parent involvement activities.
• Maintain attendance records and confidential files per program requirements.

Skills

Child development knowledge

Classroom management

Parent communication

Education

HS diploma or equivalent

12 college quarter credits in ECE

ECE certificate or AA or CDA credential

Tools

Assessment software

Word processing

Job description

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date:

November, 2026

FTE:

.9375

Hours per day:

7.5

Salary Level:

PA4A01 $27.754 - Base,

PA4E01 $28.504 - Base + AA,

PA4F01 $28.754 - Base + BA/BS

Union/Days per year: Paraeducator, 182 work days, 10 month

Benefits:

This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools

Additional Information:

This position is a "FLOAT" and location/schedule will be determined based on the needs of the position daily.

This position serves as the assistant to the Early Learning classroom associate instructor; assists with promoting each child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth; establishes and maintains a positive child-oriented environment; assists with the implementation of the child development, parent involvement, and parent education services in accordance with Early Learning program(s) performance standards; collaborates with and supports the Early Learning classroom associate instructor in providing health and family services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. 1. Assists with and delivers individual and group instruction in a variety of learning activities; monitors and records each child’s progress for the purpose of promoting each child’s intellectual growth.
2. 2. Assists the associate in the overall planning of curriculum and daily instructional activities required for meeting the objectives of the program, as time permits; assists in and provides for positive learning experiences to students; assists in arranging appropriate learning materials; assists in cleaning up materials and equipment; assists in maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for the purpose of promoting each child’s intellectual growth.
3. 3. Assists the associate with child screenings and assessments, including child observations per Early Learning program(s) guidelines; assists in entering information into the computer-based assessment system for the purpose of promoting each child’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth.
4. 4. Models and monitors behavior in all program activities; redirects and teaches appropriate behavior to students as needed; may supervise students entering or leaving building between classes for the purpose of each child’s social and emotional growth.
5. 5. Meets children from child care buses and parents, escorts them safely into the classroom, and signs them in; follows the reverse procedure in the afternoon after signing them out; supervises students entering or leaving building between classes and boarding buses for the purpose of each child’s safety in a child-oriented environment.
6. 6. Prepares and assists with daily classroom routines, which may include tooth brushing, for the purpose of each child’s growth in healthy habits and autonomy.
7. 7. May prepare student meals by getting food from kitchen and preparing classroom tables; encourages students to assist; encourages and promotes conversation during meals; may track and submit menu changes in accordance with Early Learning program(s) procedures for the purpose of each child’s physical, social and emotional growth.
8. 8. Promotes and coordinates active parent/family involvement in learning activities of the total Early Learning program(s); coordinates and implements parent committees and education; establishes and maintains a system of communication with families; may assist parent representatives with reports to the appropriate stakeholders; to the extent possible, may participate in parent meetings, assists in preparing flyers and newsletters, and makes phone calls to parents/guardians for the purpose of each child’s social, emotional and intellectual growth.
9. 9. May participate, as directed and as time permits, in periodic home visits and family conferences to discuss student progress and development with parents/guardians for the purpose of each child’s social, emotional and intellectual growth.
10. 10. Trains volunteers, as directed, in techniques for positive interaction with children in the classroom and at home through modeling and effective management techniques; assists in recruitment and enrollment activities; assumes primary responsibility for the classroom and students in the absence of the associate for the purpose of maintaining a positive child-oriented program.
11. 11. Assists with maintaining attendance records and a variety of other forms to help ensure compliance with Early Learning program(s) requirements; assists in maintaining confidential records; duplicates, organizes, distributes and files a variety of materials for the purpose of ensuring compliance with Early Learning program(s)requirements.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. 1. Attends meetings, classes, workshops, and seminars to maintain current developments in early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practices, and compliance with the program(s) rules and regulations, as needed or as assigned.
2. 2. Enters data into the appropriate child assessment system, as assigned.
3. 3. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.
4. 4. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.

CONDITIONS

May be required to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends; may be required to travel within the community to student homes; may be exposed to infectious disease; may be required to work outdoors in inclement weather; occasionally deals with difficult and sensitive situations and/or people; experiences high activity level; required to lift and carry up to 40 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, be mobile, run, sit, and stand sufficiently to promote curriculum and preserve the safety of the students; required to work outdoors in inclement weather; may be required to attend meetings beyond the work day.

Education and Experience

Be at least eighteen years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent; at least 12 college quarter credits in early childhood education credential is required; and at least one of the following: one year certificate in ECE; or an AA in ECE or be enrolled in a program leading to an AA or a BA in an education-related field; or a current CDA (Child Development Associate) credential or enrolled in a Child Development Associate Program (CDA program) to be completed within 2 years; with one year of post-secondary experience working in a preschool or child care setting; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

Beginning with the 2020-2021 SY, the following are mandatory state minimum qualifications: HS diploma or equivalent; Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or receive qualifying score (455) on Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment; or earned seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits at the one hundred level or higher at an accredited college or university; or completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Current First Aid and CPR certifications and Food Handler’s permit or required to obtain within the first three months of employment.

Physical exam and TB test required within 60 days of employment and periodically thereafter for some early learning programs.

CDA credential is required to be kept current throughout period of employment.

Valid Washington State driver’s license and access to personal transportation.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance; may include Portable Background (DCYF) clearance for some early learning programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of applicable Early Learning program and ability to support the philosophy and components of the program.

Knowledge of childhood academic, social, emotional, and physical development.

Knowledge of early childhood education and child development.

Knowledge of child assessment and observation methods.

Knowledge of community resources related to family needs.

Skill in problem solving and handling crisis situations.

Skill in obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information.

Skill in basic computer word processing.

Skill in effective child and group management strategies.

Ability to relate positively with families and small children.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.

Ability to plan preschool curriculum to meet individual and group needs.

Ability to support the philosophy and components of the program.

Ability to lift and carry students, sit, stoop, bend, and run.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to produce and maintain documentation and records.

Ability to work with special needs students and adapt curriculum.

Ability to organize and promote parent education.

Ability to prioritize, coordinate, and multi-task.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.

Ability to work as a cooperative team member.

Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate activities.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.