Teacher Assistant

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 23,694 - 25,072; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Education assistance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization in Yakima seeks a Teacher Assistant to support the Lead Teacher in delivering a positive learning environment. The role involves implementing developmentally appropriate activities, maintaining classroom supplies, and fostering communication with families. Candidates should have an Initial ECE Certificate, 2+ years of experience in early childhood programs, and the ability to effectively communicate in both English and Spanish is preferred. Competitive wages range from $17.20 to $18.20 per hour.

Qualifications

• 2 or more years’ experience in an Early Childhood program.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly.
• Effective communication with children and families.

Responsibilities

• Support the Lead Teacher with classroom activities.
• Foster positive interactions and communication with children.
• Maintain a safe learning environment.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Judgment in classroom management

Basic computer skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Initial ECE Certificate or Professional Development Plan

Tools

First Aid and CPR certifications

Food Handlers Card

Job description

The Teacher Assistant position is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher with the overall care and planning for the classroom and individual children, including the learning environment and volunteers. The Teacher Assistant under the direction of the Lead Teacher provides and implements a developmentally and culturally appropriate early childhood experience for children.

Responsibilities

• Implement activities and experiences supporting children’s health, education, and social‑emotional development under the guidance of the Lead Teacher.
• Establish a learning environment according to the Creative Curriculum and Early Achiever quality standards, and ECEAP if applicable.
• Implement the Second Steps Personal Safety Curriculum in preschool classrooms.
• Provide activities and opportunities that encourage an individualized approach to the developmental level and learning style of each child.
• Foster a positive emotional climate in the classroom based on licensing standards.
• Provide guidance and support through positive interactions between children and adults.
• Maintain an atmosphere that encourages open communication with children and adults through back‑and‑forth conversations, warm, nurturing tones, and being down at the child’s level.
• Provide opportunities and support for children to understand, acquire, and use verbal and non‑verbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings.
• Create a partnership with families that encourages engagement according to ECEAP and/or Early Achiever quality standards.
• Communicate with parents on a daily basis by greeting them and discussing, as needed, events of the children’s day.
• Communicate with parents regarding classroom transitions, as applicable.
• Maintain an accurate and up‑to‑date timesheet by clocking in and out consistently; schedule a substitute when planning for time off.
• Maintain inventory and upkeep of classroom supplies and materials.
• Report needed repairs and maintenance to the Early Learning Site Supervisor.
• Provide a safe, developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor learning environment through use of the Safety and Sanitation Checklist.
• Apply health standards and care for the children and classroom according to licensing, Early Achiever, and ECEAP standards.
• Participate in required training according to ECEAP and/or licensing regulations.
• Participate in scheduled supervision meetings, lead teacher meetings, teacher learning groups, and other assigned meetings as required.

Qualifications

• Participate in Center activities and other duties as requested.

Job Requirements

The following requirements are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the requirements, but can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements

Standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 50 lbs, and other medium physical exertion activities, talking and hearing, and adequate vision on a regular basis are required up to 95% of the time.

Non-Physical Requirements

(None listed.)

Education

• Initial ECE Certificate or Professional Development Plan.

Experience

• 2 or more years’ experience in an Early Childhood program.

Special Skills

• Demonstrate professional and effective verbal and written communication.
• Use good judgment.
• Basic computer skills.
• Supervision of adults, classroom planning, and management skills.
• Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required.

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid First Aid and CPR.
• Valid Food Handlers Card.

Employment Is Conditional Upon

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting.

Wage Range

$17.20 to $18.20 per hour, depending on education and experience.

Work Schedule

Monday — Friday, 9 am to 6 pm.

Benefits

• 7 paid holidays, 1 paid Personal Day, 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year.
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities.
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment.
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities.
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment.
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment.
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long‑term disability, accident, and ID theft.
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools.
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment.

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.