Preschool Classroom Assistant: Head Start to Success (Temporary*)

Clackesd; Happy Valley (OR); On-site; USD 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

PERS retirement

Paid time off & holidays

Professional development reimburseS

Job summary

Clackamas Education Service District seeks a Preschool Classroom Assistant to support the Head Start to Success program. This temporary position trains with a Lead Teacher to foster safe, developmentally appropriate learning for preschoolers in Clackamas County.

Starting hourly wages range from $22.20 to $25.38, with potential for extension. Benefits include medical/dental/vision, PERS retirement, paid time off, and professional development reimbursement. Contact [e-mail] for details.

Qualifications

• Must have one of four pathways to qualify or a plan to complete one within two years.
• Ability to work cooperatively with families, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to obtain a Central Background Registry number and CPR/First Aid credentials.

Responsibilities

• Support Lead Teacher in creating a safe, developmentally appropriate preschool environment.
• Assist with curricula, small/large group activities, transitions, and supervision.
• Encourage exploration, problem solving and social development in children.
• Prepare classroom materials and adapt learning centers as needed.
• Promote family involvement and open communication with caregivers.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Cooperation with families

Computer skills

Education

CDA credential

Oregon Registry Step 7+

Associate's degree pathway

Bachelor's degree pathway

Tools

Word processing

Database usage

Job description

Preschool Classroom Assistant: Head Start to Success (Temporary*) JobID: 1603

*TEMPORARY: This is a temporary position anticipated to last through December, with the possibility of extension through the remainder of the 2026-27 school year. While we cannot guarantee permanent employment, we are committed to helping you find new opportunities within our organization as they become available.

Clackamas ESD strives to infuse equity in all our programs and bodies of work by maintaining an inclusive, barrier-free environment in which everyone participates and fully benefits.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be the one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources at [e-mail] to discuss your application.

Find your "why" with Clackamas ESD

At Clackamas Education Service District, our mission is to lead, serve and innovate for learning. Clackamas ESD provides services in early learning, special education, technology and teacher/staff support to Clackamas County school districts. We ensure students and families in all of our communities -- big and small -- have access to equitable education services. Learn more about CESD here.

About the program

Our Head Start to Success and Preschool Promise programs provide free comprehensive preschool to three- and four-year-old children who are experiencing poverty. We work in partnership with the Canby, North Clackamas and Oregon Trail school districts and have classrooms at the Clackamas Early Learning Center to provide preschool services for children and families throughout Clackamas County.

About this position:

The Preschool Classroom Assistant supports the Lead Teacher in providing a successful, safe, and supervised learning environment for children in the school district preschool setting. With guidance from the Lead Teacher, promotes the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of enrolled children through age-appropriate instruction and progress monitoring/assessment of each child. The Classroom Assistant follows program requirements consistently.

Essential functions:

• Follows curriculum plans, which reflect developmentally appropriate practice, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of enrolled children
• Supports the lead teacher in providing a consistent schedule, to include small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, snacks, and effective transitions between activities
• Encourages experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice-making; asks open-ended questions and listens respectfully to the answers
• Assists in preparing classroom materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans; assists in changing learning centers as needed
• Supports family involvement by promoting and reinforcing parental participation in the classroom, parent meetings, and open communication
• Assists in providing a safe learning environment in which children are supervised and monitored at all times
• Supports the lead teacher in documentation of children's progress
• Must have one of the following pathways to qualify for the position:
  • a) Child Development Associate (CDA) credential;
  • b) Currently at a Step 7 or above on the Oregon Registry;
  • c) Enrolled in a program that will lead to an Associate's degree;
  • d) Currently enrolled in a program that will lead to a Bachelor's degree.
  • If one of the four pathways are not met, the candidate will meet the qualification by being placed on an approved plan to complete one of the pathways within two years of hire, according to DELC guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with families, program staff, the district, Clackamas ESD and community resource personnel
• Ability to manage time, prioritize, and schedule multiple activities across settings, and to coordinate these activities with others
• Ability to obtain a Central Background Registry number
• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid first aid and infant/child CPR card
• Demonstrated skills in communication, collaboration, and cooperation with other disciplines, community based professional teams, and families
• Ability to acquire computer skills for word processing and use of database
• Physical and mental attributes sufficient to perform the essential functions
• Written and oral communication skills sufficient to perform essential functions

Preferred qualifications:

• Bilingual. Bilingual candidates must pass a language proficiency assessment at an intermediate high to advanced level per CESD guidelines to be eligible for bilingual salary placement

Salary:

Range 13/14* of the Classified Salary Schedule. New hires are eligible to start at up to Step 4depending on experience, per the Classified Collective Bargaining Agreement. Starting salary between $22.20 - $25.38 per hour, depending on experience.

CESD Classified Salary Schedule 2026-27

Range Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8

13

13 $22.20 $22.57 $23.29 $24.09 $24.90 $25.74 $26.76 $27.60

14*

14* $23.24 $23.63 $24.47 $26.22 $27.12 $28.07 $29.10

*Range 14 is for bilingual candidates who pass a language proficiency assessment at an intermediate high to advanced level in any of the major languages of our service communities (Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, and American Sign Language).

• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous district-paid contribution
• Retirement through the Oregon Public Retirement System (PERS) includes pension and individual account program
• Paid time off, including paid holidays, sick leave, and other personal leave
• Opportunities to g row with us with generous professional development expense reimbursements
• Clackamas ESD covers the full cost of fingerprinting for new employees, saving you $82.50 - a benefit not offered by most other districts

Retirement plan contributions:

Clackamas ESD employees working 600 or more hours in a calendar year are eligible for the Oregon Public Employee Retirement, or PERS. There are two components to PERS, including the pension, which is primarily funded by CESD and The Individual Account Program, or IAP, which is funded by a six-percent deduction from your paycheck. If you are new to PERS, your PERS deduction will begin automatically after a six-month waiting period.

Postings current as of 9/16/2026 4:49:37 AM CST.

Need Help?

We're here to help! For questions regarding position qualifications or application procedures, please contact Clackamas Education Service District directly at [e-mail] or [phone].

For technical questions regarding the Applicant Tracking system, please contact the Applicant Tracking help desk using the Request Technical Help link below.