Substitute Assistant Teacher

Catalyst Family Inc.; Fairfield (CA); Hybrid; USD 23,281 - 33,227; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Education Reimbursement Program

Discounted childcare

Continuous learning and growth

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

A childcare educational organization in California is looking for Assistant Teachers to support children's learning and development. The ideal candidate will facilitate age-appropriate activities, ensure a safe environment, and maintain positive relationships with children and families. Applicants should have a minimum of 6 months experience in group care and educational qualifications in Early Childhood Education. Full-time/part-time positions with flexible scheduling and benefits available. Join a supportive team dedicated to quality education.

Qualifications

• 6 months of experience in a group care environment preferred.
• Current adult and infant/child CPR certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of curriculum for children's activities.
• Maintain safe and healthy learning environments.
• Provide excellent customer service through positive interactions.

Skills

Effective problem-solving

Conflict resolution

Classroom management

Communication with children and families

Bilingual/multilingual skills

Education

6 postsecondary semester units in Early Childhood Education

Regional occupation program certificate in childcare

Job description

Pay or shift range: $16.90 to $24.12 USD. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job‑related reasons.

Description

Catalyst teaching staff support the planning and implementation of Catalyst's programming for children ranging in age from infant, toddler, pre‑school, kinder, and school age, depending on the location. Assistant Teachers must be able to facilitate a variety of age‑appropriate activities, support children’s social‑emotional development, and ensure children are supervised at all times in a healthy and safe environment.

Essential Functions:

• Support the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum supported by learning foundations that are directly connected to children’s interests and promote positive child development.
• Support and maintain intentional, enriched, and supportive learning environments and quality experiences that are age appropriate for all children.
• Provide excellent customer service by establishing authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and the center/classroom team.
• Keep children healthy and safe by ensuring proper supervision, positive interactions, healthy habits, and excellent compliance.
• Work collaboratively with fellow staff by connecting workplace values, education, and experience to provide the highest quality programs and creative workplaces.

All teaching staff are expected to demonstrate behaviors that are essential for successful programs and environments, including the following:

• Positive interactions with children and youth.
• Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional/physical environments for children.
• Be on time and present on a regularly scheduled basis.
• Be physically and mentally capable of interacting with children up to 13 years of age, meeting all their needs and ensuring their safety.
• Be aware of and implement safety guidelines; report any health & safety issues or incidents to management, and remain calm if providing first aid (as needed) during emergency situations.

Physical & Environmental Conditions

Teaching staff are responsible for various program elements on a daily basis and will be exposed to indoor and outdoor elements. Staff hired in the Assistant Teacher position may be required to:

• Visually inspect the environment for hazards to children; identify hazards and implement preventative actions (i.e., set up cones to limit play area) to maintain a safe environment for children.
• Be comfortable with occasional loud noise in our outside classroom during activities.
• Be comfortable with frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Push, lift, carry, and hold various objects up to 15 lbs. (by individual or team effort) such as equipment carts, emergency backpacks, food coolers, classroom furnishings, and other similar program materials.
• Work inside the classroom or outside the room in all weather conditions which are safe for children.
• Traverse various terrains (grass, blacktop, dirt) and heights (ladders, playgrounds) depending on the school outdoor environment.
• Adapt to the physical level of children (i.e., sitting on the floor, kneeling, squatting) for activities and problem‑solving interactions.
• Supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks.

Qualifications & Experience

Assistant Teachers support the needs of the classroom under the direction/supervision of another staff. In general, the Assistant Teacher position is intended as an entry‑level role. Center teaching staff qualifications include education, specialized training, and job experience.

Education

Education and permit requirements may vary by center needs/require age group specific units depending on the program, such as Infant, Toddler, School‑Age, Title 5 or Title 22 status.

• 6 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field with passing grades of C‑ or better.
• Regional occupation program certificate of training in child‑care issues accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Experience & Skills

• 6 months of experience in a group care environment where care/teaching was provided for a consistent age group is preferred.
• Effective problem‑solving, conflict resolution, classroom management, and communication with children and families.
• Effective organization, time management, curriculum, and assessment documentation (lesson plans, portfolios, and anecdotal notes).
• Ability to work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment.
• Current adult and infant/child CPR & First Aid certification is preferred.
• Bilingual/multilingual language preference based on individual center needs.

Shift Type

Full Time / Part Time

Schedule

Flexible Substitute Schedule with minimum two days availability per week.

What We Offer

• 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program.
• Personal Health Advocate.
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Discounted childcare (for staff working 25 hours or more per week).
• Access to the Calm app.
• Tickets-at-Work employee discounts.
• Continuous learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.