Mandan Little Learners Program Assistant

Mandan Public Schools; Mandan (ND); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Mandan Public Schools is seeking a part-time, 9-month position to assist in Mandan Little Learners programming. The role focuses on facilitating play-based early learning activities, engaging families, and supporting caregivers as the child’s first teachers.

Under supervision, the candidate will help set up activities, maintain a safe learning space, and coordinate family resources, contributing to child development and school readiness efforts.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or related field preferred.
• Experience with young children (0-5) and interacting with families in educational/community settings preferred.
• Understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice; ability to engage children and adults positively in a family-centered environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in creating and maintaining a high-quality play-based learning environment.
• Help prepare, set up, facilitate, and maintain hands-on activities and learning experiences.
• Welcome families and caregivers, connect them with resources, and encourage engagement through play-based learning.
• Support safe environments and developmentally appropriate activities in line with standards.

Skills

Engaging families

Hands-on learning

Classroom management

Clear communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Relevant degree preferred

Job description

Position Type:

Part-Time 9 month

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

This is a single year grand funded position, ending 10/31/2027.

Position Summary:

Under basic supervision of the Mandan Public School District Early Learning Coordinator, assists in facilitating Mandan Little Learners programming, including Family PlayGroup, PlayLab, and SPARK. Creates and maintains a safe, welcoming, engaging, and supportive educational environments that combines play-based skill development with family resources and supports. Fosters positive adult-child interactions, assists with hands-on early learning activities, models positive behavior guidance, and supports families/caregivers in their role as their child’s first and most important teachers.

Essential Functions:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Program & Early Learning Facilitation:
• • Assists in creating and maintaining a high-quality environment rooted in early learning and developmentally appropriate practices, supporting the belief that young children learn best through play and positive adult interaction.
  • Helps prepare, set up, facilitate, and maintain engaging hands-on activities and learning experiences that support early learning skills.
  • Welcomes families and caregivers, connects them with available resources, and encourages engagement with their children through play-based learning.
• Early Learning & Development Support:
• • Assists with facilitating developmentally appropriate early learning experiences, models positive adult-child interactions and behavior guidance strategies, and maintains awareness of the environment to support child safety and positive interactions.
  • Supports early learning activities aligned with North Dakota Early Learning Standards and MPS Kindergarten Readiness guidelines.
• Operational & Clerical Duties:
• • Assists with the planning, preparation, development, and distribution of learning materials, activity kits, and family resource materials.
  • Monitors program materials, equipment, and supplies, and ensures interactive equipment is sanitized, organized, and properly maintained.
  • Assists with participant check-in, event registration tracking, basic clerical duties, and record-keeping as needed.
• Communication & Community Engagement:
• • Communicates respectfully and effectively with parents, caregivers, children, staff, and community partners to share information, answer questions, and support family understanding of early learning and child development.
  • Supports families and caregivers in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher.
  • Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and district staff.
  • Enforces District policies and safety rules, reporting any behavior issues or facility concerns to the Early Learning Coordinator.

Reports To:

• Early Learning Coordinator

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with young children (ages 0-5) and interacting with families in an educational or community setting preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice and the ability to engage both children and adults positively in a family-centered environment.

Knowledge of:

• Child growth and development, including milestones and progressions of learning, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Play-based learning; strategies for supporting language/communication, concept development, problem-solving, social-emotional development, self-regulation, and positive behavior guidance.
• Family engagement practices that recognize and support families/caregivers as their child’s first teacher; inclusive practices for children with varying developmental needs and abilities.
• Developmentally appropriate learning environments, materials, health and sanitation practices, supervision and safety requirements, basic documentation and record keeping, and applicable MPS policies and procedures.

Skill in:

• Engaging warmly, patiently, and encouragingly with young children and their families/caregivers. Modeling developmentally appropriate interactions and supporting families/caregivers in engaging with children through play, conversation, and everyday learning experiences.
• Organizing and facilitating developmentally appropriate, hands-on early learning activities and experiences.
• Maintaining composure and flexibility in an active, family-centered environment.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with staff, parents, and community partners.
• Following verbal and written instructions reliably.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.

License and Certification Requirements:

A valid North Dakota State Driver's License may be required. CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire) preferred. Additional early childhood training certifications may be required by the district.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Work is performed in an interactive play-based early childhood environment. Requires physical agility to bend, stoop, sit on the floor, lift learning materials/equipment, and actively engage with young children at their eye level.

Employment requires satisfactory completion of the interview process and verifiable record of satisfactory performance in previous employment.

A state and federal background check will be conducted on the final candidate.