Preschool Teacher Assistant

Oregon Child Development Coalition; Hermiston (OR); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer contrib.

Paid time off, holidays, and sick time

Employer paid life and disability

Flexible Spending Accounts

EAP and wellness resources

Pet insurance (optional)

Job summary

Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) is seeking a Preschool Teacher Assistant CE to support the classroom teacher and help deliver a developmentally appropriate Head Start-aligned curriculum. The role focuses on fostering social, emotional, language, and cognitive growth while maintaining a safe, inclusive learning environment.

Candidates must have Oregon Registry steps and a CDA or related credential and be enrolled or on track to complete an associate/bachelor's program in early childhood

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with Oregon Registry Step 8+.
• Preschool CDA certificate within 6 months of hire.
• One-year college cert in early childhood development with preschool focus.
• Enrolled in ECE program to be completed within 2 years.

Responsibilities

• Support the classroom teacher in maintaining a safe, positive, and engaging learning environment
• Supervise children indoors and outdoors using positive guidance and behavior-management techniques
• Assist with classroom setup, organization, cleaning, and inventory of materials and supplies
• Support implementation of individualized curriculum and daily classroom activities
• Help balance teacher-directed and child-directed learning experiences
• Assist with observations, assessments, and maintaining children’s portfolios and documentation
• Communicate regularly with the teacher regarding children’s health, behavior, and development
• Support family engagement, including newsletters, conferences, and home visits
• Promote healthy practices related to nutrition, wellness, and child development
• Maintain confidentiality and follow all safety policies and procedures
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills

Classroom support

Positive guidance

Child supervision

Communication with teacher

Organization

Confidentiality

Attendance

Education

High School Diploma/GED or ESL

Preschool CDA certificate (within 6 months)

Oregon community college cert in ECE (within 1 year)

Enrolled in an associate/bachelor's in ECE within 2 years

Job description

About Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC): Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) is a nonprofit organization serving children and families across Oregon through early education and family support programs. At OCDC, our work has purpose. Every role contributes to creating stronger families, healthier communities, and brighter futures for children across Oregon.

Position Summary:

Collaborates with the teacher in providing a positive learning environment and curriculum that support children’s social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive development, consistent with Head Start Performance Standards, OCDC policies and procedures, USDA, CCD Licensing regulations and/or other applicable standards.

Essential Functions:

• Support the classroom teacher in maintaining a safe, positive, and engaging learning environment
• Supervise children indoors and outdoors using positive guidance and behavior-management techniques
• Assist with classroom setup, organization, cleaning, and inventory of materials and supplies
• Support implementation of individualized curriculum and daily classroom activities
• Help balance teacher-directed and child-directed learning experiencesAssist with observations, assessments, and maintaining children’s portfolios and documentation
• Communicate regularly with the teacher regarding children’s health, behavior, and development
• Support family engagement, including newsletters, conferences, and home visits
• Promote healthy practices related to nutrition, wellness, and child development
• Maintain confidentiality and follow all safety policies and procedures
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Education and Experience Requirements:

Preschool Teacher Assistant CE –$20.95-$23.28 hourly ($23.05-$25.61 hourly in Metro locations)

• High School Diploma, GED, or Diploma de Educacion Secundaria with an Oregon Registry Step equal to or greater than 8 AND
• Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate within 6 months from date of hire Or
• One year Oregon community college certificate2 in field WITH training or coursework in early childhood development with a focus on preschool development within 1 year from date of hire Or
• Enrolled in an associate’s or bachelor’s program in early childhood education or child development to be completed within 2 years from date of hire.

1. PTA-E who meet the education requirements and are on Oregon Registry Step 7 or higher are paid at PG E5 starting on step A-1 2. Oregon Registry Step 8 or higher per certificate or college coursework pathway 3. Oregon Registry Step 9 or higher per degree or college coursework pathway

Metro locations include Washington County and Multnomah County sites. Placement within the range is determined by factors such as relevant experience, skills, certifications, and internal equity.

Benefits:

OCDC offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well‑being, and work‑life balance. Eligible employees (20+ hours/week) may receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Paid time off, sick leave, holidays, and paid leave programs
• Employer paid life and disability coverage, with voluntary options available
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources
• Optional benefits including pet insurance

At OCDC, employee well-being is a priority and an essential part of supporting our mission and communities.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

OCDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We strongly encourage individuals from historically underrepresented communities to apply. OCDC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation. If you need an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please let us know.

Join Our Team:

At Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC), we’re passionate about helping children and families thrive. As a statewide nonprofit delivering Head Start and early learning programs across Oregon, our work is powered by dedicated educators, social service professionals, and support teams who believe in creating stronger communities—together.

Benefits That Support You:

OCDC offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well‑being, and work‑life balance. From medical coverage and retirement savings to paid time off and wellness resources, our benefits are built to support you- at work and beyond- while you make a meaningful impact in your community.