Teacher Assistant

Essex County College; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Essex County College is seeking a Teacher Assistant to support one or more Group Teachers at the Century Child Development Center. The role involves assisting with daily activities, ensuring a safe and developmentally appropriate environment, and maintaining open communication with families.

Requirements include a High School diploma and CDA certification, experience with preschool children, reliability, strong communication, and the ability to work in a multi-cultural setting.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• CDA certification required.
• Experience working with preschool children.
• Must demonstrate reliability and flexibility.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers planning and maintaining a safe, clean learning environment for children.
• Assist with developmentally appropriate activities per Center curriculum.
• Maintain open daily communication with parents; provide input for child development assessments.
• Observe and report suspected abuse or concerns; maintain records as required.
• Attend in-service and staff meetings; meet professional development requirements.
• Ensure adherence to licensing regulations and Center policies and procedures.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Reliability & flexibility

Multicultural environment

Education

High School Diploma

CDA Certification

Job description

Essex County College Human Resources Department

Under the supervision of the Director of Child Development Center or designee, the Teacher Assistant is to assist one or more Group Teachers with the daily activities of the Century as directed.
Please Note: Essex County College does not provide visa sponsorship of any kind. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.
Compensation:
This position offers a competitive starting salary of $15.95.

Join a collaborative, mission-driven college community dedicated to student success and academic excellence.

Supervisory Role

Oral and written instructions are received from the Director of the Child Development Center, or designee. The Teacher Assistant may supervise student workers.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist teachers in planning and maintaining a safe, clean learning environment that assures the safety and wellbeing of the children in his/her care.
• Assist with planning and implementing activities developmentally appropriate and in accordance with the philosophy, practices and curriculum objectives of the Center.
• Maintain on a daily basis open communication with parents. Provide input for bi-annual assessment of children’s development.
• Observe and report any suspect abuse or questionable behaviors and maintain anecdotal records and accident reports in accordance to established policies and procedures.
• Attend in-service and staff meetings. Adhere to professional development requirements of the Center.
• Ensure adherence with applicable licensing regulations, and compliance with institutional regulations, policies and procedures and the Center’s written work plan.
• Ensure adherence with basic principles of early childhood development as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children ( NAEYC ).
• Maintain strict confidentiality and security of student, staff, children and client records.
• Prepare routine, special and ancillary reports as required.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job. Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, while performing this job the staff member shall:

• Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
• Sit, stand and walk/move from place to place for required periods of time.
• Move between buildings.
• Speak and hear, communicate using telephone and/or walkie talkie.
• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
• Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary.
• Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, including but not limited to, computers, keyboards, telephones, calculators, and controls.
• Bend, twist, climb, push, pull, and lift.

Additional Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Experience (number of years), Knowledge and/or Abilities

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Child Development Associate ( CDA ) certification.
• Experience working with pre-school children.
• Must demonstrate a high degree of reliability and flexibility.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Minimum Education Requirements High School Diploma

Licenses and Certifications (including e.g., CPR, first aid, driver’s license, etc.)

CDA Certification

Preferred Qualifications

Experience (number of years), Knowledge and/or Abilities

• Earned crels or current enrollment in college courses in Early Childhood Education or related area.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the basic principles of early childhood development as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children ( NAEYC ).
• Ability to work an extended schedule, including evenings and weekends, according to demands of the role and tasks.

Education Requirements

Licenses and Certifications (including e.g., CPR, first aid, driver’s license, etc.)

Posting Information

Open Date

Open Date 08/25/2026

Open Until Filled No

Close Date

Close Date 06/30/2027

Special Instructions Summary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Essex County College is an Equal Opportunity Employer – All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).