Preschool Special Education Associate

Des Moines Public School District; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Young World Physical Education in Des Moines is seeking an Early Childhood Associate for the 2026-27 school year. The role involves supervising preschool children, contributing to curriculum planning, and assisting with personal care duties.

Candidates should have an associate's degree or be willing to obtain a Childhood Development Associate credential. The position offers a salary of $17.78 to $22.61 per hour.

Qualifications

• Educated in early childhood education or related field or willingness to become certified.
• Experience with preschool children in an early childhood program.
• Basic computer skills necessary.

Responsibilities

• Supervise students during assigned activities, including meals.
• Contribute to curriculum planning and implementation.
• Assist with record keeping and monitoring progress.

Skills

Experience working with preschool children

Basic computer skills

Education

Associate's degree or higher in early childhood education or related field

Willingness to obtain Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential

Job description

Early Childhood Associate-For the 2026-27 School Year

Starting Date: Aug 14, 2026

Job Description

This position will be .5 JFTaylor Pre-School and .5 Woodlawn Pre-School

JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Special Education Associate

POSTION TYPE: Non Exempt

DEPARTMENT:Teaching & Learning

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Associates degree or higher in early childhood education or related field or willingness to obtain certification listed below.
• Work Experience: N/A
• Licensure or Certification: If the education requirements above are not met, candidate must be willing to obtain a Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential
• Experience working with preschool children in an early childhood program.
• Basic computer skills.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

BASIC FUNCTION:

Assistteachers in the instruction,supervisionand care of all students. The essential functions as shown below represent only the key areas of responsibility; specific position requirements will vary depending on the needs of the students and department.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Supervise students in all assigned areas, including bus loading and unloading.
• Contribute to curriculum planning and implementation.
• Supervise meals or snacks with children, modeling appropriate etiquette and mealtime conversations.
• Under teacher direction, follow behavior management plans for individual students and implement specific strategies to maintain behavior and de-escalate inappropriate behavior.
• Assist in record keeping, instruction, monitoring progress, and data collection.
• Perform personal care duties such as feeding, toileting/diapering, and positioning.
• Participate in all district and department required trainings, including first aid, CPR, and mandatory child and adult abuse training.
• Participate in family orientation and parent or Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings as required.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to create an environment that is safe, nurturing, and child centered.
• Ability to clarify and reinforce teacher directions.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Attend work on a prompt and regular
• Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other

EVALUATES: Not Applicable
POSITION INVENTORY:B21

FLSA STATUS:Full Time

FT/PT:Full Time

DAYS: 190 HOURS: 7.5

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Constant Demands: Inside working conditions

Lifting 20 lbs for 25 feet, telephone, computer

OccasionalDemands: Bending/stooping, Reaching/pushing/pulling,Driving.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Constant indoors,Occasional outside, Occasional extreme temperature/humidity.

The Des Moines Independent Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. If you have questions, concerns or a complaint related to this policy, please contact Carol Wynn-Green,2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone: [phone]; email:[e-mail] . Complaints can also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission,400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004, [phone], or Region VII Office for Civil Rights, Citigroup Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475 Chicago, IL 60661-4544

All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check. Certain positions may require fingerprinting, a drug and alcohol test, a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check.

Early Childhood Associate-For the 2026-27 School Year

Des Moines Public School District Multiple Schools - Des Moines, Iowa Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Des Moines Public School District , and TeachIowa, Iowa's Marketplace for education jobs

Job Details

Job ID: 5778550
Application Deadline: Jun 22, 2026 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time)
Posted: Jun 12, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 14, 2026

Job Description

This position will be .5 JFTaylor Pre-School and .5 Woodlawn Pre-School

JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Special Education Associate

POSTION TYPE: Non Exempt

DEPARTMENT:Teaching & Learning

REPORTS TO:Building Principal

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Associates degree or higher in early childhood education or related field or willingness to obtain certification listed below.
• Work Experience: N/A
• Licensure or Certification: If the education requirements above are not met, candidate must be willing to obtain a Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential

Desired:

Experience working with preschool children in an early childhood program.

Basic computer skills.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

BASIC FUNCTION:

Assistteachers in the instruction,supervisionand care of all students. The essential functions as shown below represent only the key areas of responsibility; specific position requirements will vary depending on the needs of the students and department.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Supervise students in all assigned areas, including bus loading and unloading.

Contribute to curriculum planning and implementation.

Supervise meals or snacks with children, modeling appropriate etiquette and mealtime conversations.

Under teacher direction, follow behavior management plans for individual students and implement specific strategies to maintain behavior and de-escalate inappropriate behavior.

Assist in record keeping, instruction, monitoring progress, and data collection.

Perform personal care duties such as feeding, toileting/diapering, and positioning.

Participate in all district and department required trainings, including first aid, CPR, and mandatory child and adult abuse training.

Participate in family orientation and parent or Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings as required.

Other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to create an environment that is safe, nurturing, and child centered.

Ability to clarify and reinforce teacher directions.

Maintain confidentiality.

Attend work on a prompt and regular

Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other

EVALUATES: Not Applicable
POSITION INVENTORY:B21

FLSA STATUS:Full Time

FT/PT:Full Time

DAYS: 190 HOURS: 7.5

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Constant Demands: Inside working conditions

Frequent Demands:Standing, Walking,Sitting,telephone,

Lifting 20 lbs for 25 feet, telephone, computer

OccasionalDemands: Bending/stooping, Reaching/pushing/pulling,Driving.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Constant indoors,Occasional outside, Occasional extreme temperature/humidity.

The Des Moines Independent Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. If you have questions, concerns or a complaint related to this policy, please contact Carol Wynn-Green,2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone: [phone]; email:[e-mail] . Complaints can also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission,400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004, [phone], or Region VII Office for Civil Rights, Citigroup Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475 Chicago, IL 60661-4544

Approved By:

Date:

Employee Benefits Information

All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check. Certain positions may require fingerprinting, a drug and alcohol test, a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check.

Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $17.78 to $22.61 Per Hour
Job Categories:

Classroom Teacher > Preschool

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Special Education > General Special Education

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Please do NOT contact this employer regarding job postings that have closed.

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