Instructional Assistant-Early Learning #26-27

Newport-Mesa Unified School District; Newport Beach, Costa Mesa (CA, CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Newport-Mesa Unified School District is seeking several Preschool/ TK assistants to support early learning classrooms across district sites. Positions are 6.25 hours per day, five days a week, for 10 months.

Minimally, a high school diploma with six semester units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development is required; transcripts must be provided. Immunization requirements apply under California law.

Qualifications

• Six (6) semester units of Early Childhood Education or Child Development required.
• Transcripts must be attached with the application.
• Ability to reinforce instruction to preschoolers in a classroom setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher by reinforcing instruction to individuals or small groups as directed.
• Prepare instructional materials and assist in early learning activities.
• Provide care and supervision for pre-kindergarten children in the district program.
• Monitor health and safety and maintain a clean classroom and play areas.
• Attend meetings and participate in training workshops as required.

Skills

Early childhood support

Classroom supervision

Data collection

Preschool support

Education

High school diploma + 6 ECE/Child Development units

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

THE VACANCY: Open Until Filled

This recruitment is open and promotional, meaning all are welcome to apply and current employees in permanent positions are eligible to receive seniority credit and promotional placement once passing all exams.

There are six openings supporting our traditional preschool classrooms and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program. The openings are at various school sites throughout the district and will work 6.25 hours per day, 5 days per week, 10 months per year.

Special Requirement

Effective September 1, 2016, California Health and Safety Code Section 1596.7995 requires that no person shall be employed at a preschool if they have not been immunized against influenza (flu), pertussis (whooping cough) and measles. Persons may be employed conditionally, for a maximum of 30 days, if they need time to obtain/provide their immunization records and they submit a written statement attesting they have been immunized. Otherwise, they must be immunized (or meet the exemption requirements) before commencing employment.

BASIC FUNCTION

Under the direction of assigned Administrator, assist assigned teacher in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of students in a classroom or other learning environment; assist instructional staff and teachers in conducting early learning and child development activities and in the preparation of instructional materials; provide care, supervision and learning activities to pre-kindergarten age children enrolled in a District early learning program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and six (6) semester units, or equivalent quarter units, of early childhood education or child development core classes at an accredited college, university or occupational program.

NOTE

Six (6) semester units of Early Childhood Education or Child Development are required. Transcripts must be included with application. Please make sure to attach transcripts to your application or they can be faxed to [phone]. If faxing, be sure to include a cover page that indicates your name, position title applying for and posting number. Regardless of method, transcripts must be received before posting closes.

THE EXAMINATION

Exam Weight

• Supplemental Questions:Qualifying
• Transcripts:Qualifying
• Written Examination*:50%
• Qualifications Appraisal Interview: 50%

*Holding a credential does not exempt you from this testing process.

An eligibility list will be established for successful candidates which will be used to fill substitute and regular positions during the life of the list.

Examinations and interviewing for creating the eligible list will be conducted virtually using different online/internet platforms that require video recording or conferencing capabilities, as well as access to a computer with an internet connection and basic Microsoft Office Suite Software.

The virtual written examination is tentatively scheduled for the week of November 9th. All who are successful on the written examination will be invited to the qualifications appraisal interview (oral exam) which has been tentatively scheduled for the week of November 16th. You will be notified via email, as indicated on your application, regarding your ability to participate in the examination phase of the recruitment.

Applications will be reviewed for minimum requirements. However, Newport-Mesa Unified School District reserves the right to hold a competitive screening based on the number of applications and the needs of the District.

If you elect to have Newport-Mesa Unified School District contact you via email regarding your application and the hiring process, please be aware that the District is not responsible for any contacts you may have blocked on your email service. Unclaimed emails to applicants are not the responsibility of the District. In an effort to allow our emails through your personal spam filter, you can try to add the @nmusd.us and @governmentjobs.com domains to your safe senders list.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Facilitate individual or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher; direct group activities of students as assigned.
• Assist assigned teacher with the implementation of lesson plans and conducting early learning and child development activities; assists in preparing materials used in instructional activities; collect assessment data; maintain student files as assigned.
• Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating equipment and distributing and collecting paper, supplies and materials.
• Assist teacher in collecting and organizing data on student learning; follow-up on student absences.
• Assist in monitoring lunchroom, recess and other playground activities; lead indoor and outdoor activities planned by the teacher; accompany students on field trips as assigned.
• Observe and manage behavior of students in the classroom and during outdoor activities according to approved procedures; guide students into safe play activities; report progress regarding student performance and behavior.
• Perform a variety of clerical duties in support of classroom activities such as preparing, typing, copying and filing instructional materials.
• Operate a variety of classroom and office equipment including a copier, printer, laminator, computer and assigned software.
• Assist children with toileting and changing those who have experienced toileting accidents; may assist students to develop self‑help skills.
• Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; maintain learning environment in a safe, orderly and clean manner; administer basic first aid as needed and seek assistance for non-routine illnesses and injuries.
• Perform minor housekeeping tasks in maintaining a neat, clean, orderly and safe classroom and playground atmosphere.
• Perform special projects and prepare materials on behalf of the teacher.
• Attend meetings and participate in training workshops, conferences, courses and a variety of professional growth activities as required.

OTHER DUTIES: Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF

• General principles and practices of early childhood development.
• Concepts of child growth, development and behavior characteristics of pre-kindergarten age children.
• District policies, rules and regulations.
• Basic instructional methods and techniques.
• Basic subjects taught in District schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language and reading.
• Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct.
• Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and arithmetical concepts.
• Routing, filing and record keeping procedures.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Operation of a variety of office and classroom equipment.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Basic recordkeeping techniques.

ABILITY TO

• Provide care, supervision and learning activities to pre-kindergarten age children enrolled in a District early learning program.
• Monitor, observe and report student behavior and progress according to approved policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a patient, receptive, and empathic attitude toward children.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with children and adults.
• Maintain a clean, safe, attractive and positive learning environment.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity and respect.
• Observe health and safety regulations.
• Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment.
• Perform clerical duties related to classroom activities.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Reinforce instruction to individual or small groups of students as directed by the teacher.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Operate of a variety of office and classroom equipment.
• Maintain records and files.

WORKING CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENT

• Classroom and playground environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations.
• Seeing to read a variety of materials and observe children.
• Standing, sitting or walking for extended periods of time.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to assist children.
• Lifting and carrying moderately heavy objects or children.
• Reaching overhead, above the shoulders or horizontally to reach supplies.

HAZARDS

• Potential contact with body fluids.

Personnel Commission Updated May 19, 2022 Ewing Consulting, Inc. August 2016