Teacher Assistant Infant-Toddler-Two (IT2)

Chicago State University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago State University in Chicago, IL seeks a Teacher Assistant IT2 to join the Office of the Dean of Education. The role supports infants to toddlers in a collaborative co-teaching setting, assisting with curriculum, screenings, and family engagement.

Applicants should have a high school diploma, DCFS credentials, and early childhood coursework. The position is full-time with hourly pay, and opportunities to work with a developmentally appropriate program.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Possession of credentials required by Illinois DCFS for employment as a Child Care Assistant.
• 60 semester or 90 quarter hours (ECE coursework) with IL Gateway Level 4 IT credential or working toward it.
• Alternative: High School/GED with Infant Toddler CDA and IL Gateway Level 2 IT credential; 1 year experience with birth–5 years.
• Associate Degree in ECE or Child Development with IL Gateway Level 4 IT credential.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with lead teacher to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum for ages 3 months to 3 years.
• Support high-quality early care and learning experiences that promote children’s development.
• Observe children and document developmental progress for assessments and screenings.
• Contribute to child development screenings and assessments with the teaching team.
• Foster warm, responsive relationships with children through nurturing interactions and caregiving routines.
• Assist with daily classroom routines including feeding, diapering, toileting, napping, and transitions.
• Maintain a safe, clean, developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Ensure classroom practices comply with licensing regulations, funding requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Support family engagement through conferences, home visits, and family events.
• Communicate respectfully with families to support learning and development.
• Prepare and organize classroom materials and activities reflecting the curriculum.
• Collaborate with team to maintain consistent practices and a positive learning environment.
• Participate in trainings and professional development opportunities.
• Follow program policies related to health, safety, supervision, and child protection.

Skills

Infant-Toddler development

Early childhood education

Collaborative teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

DCFS credential for Child Care Assistant

Associate Degree in ECE or Child Development with IL Gateway Level 4 IT credential

Job description

Teacher Assistant Infant-Toddler-Two (IT2)

Working Title Teacher Assistant Infant-Toddler-Two (IT2)

Salary Range

Salary Range $20.51 Per Hour

Employee Class

Department

Department Office of the Dean of Education

Full-time/ Part-time

Full-time/ Part-time Full-time

Early Childhood Education Infant-Toddler development, care and teaching knowledge and experience.

The Teacher Assistant IT2 position works in a collaborative co-teaching team model to provide high quality early care and learning experiences to children 3 months – 3 years old. In this role the person under the guidance of the teams lead plans and implements curriculum. Supports the implementation and completion of child development screenings and assessments. Engage in all family engagement activities such as home visits, conferences, etc. Adhere, to all licensing, funding and accreditation standards and compliance. Maintain, a safe, health nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment.

Job Description

Job Duties – Assistant Teacher (Infant/Toddler/Two-Year-Old Classroom)

• Collaborate with the lead teacher and co-teaching team to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and daily learning activities for children ages 3 months to 3 years.
• Support the delivery of high-quality early care and learning experiences that promote children’s social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.
• Assist in observing children and documenting developmental progress to support ongoing assessments and child development screenings.
• Contribute to the implementation and completion of required child development screenings and assessments in collaboration with the teaching team.
• Foster warm, responsive relationships with children through nurturing interactions, positive guidance, and attentive caregiving routines.
• Assist with daily classroom routines including feeding, diapering, toileting, napping, and transitions while promoting children’s independence and well-being.
• Maintain a safe, clean, healthy, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment that supports active learning and exploration.
• Ensure all classroom practices comply with licensing regulations, program funding requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Support family engagement by participating in activities such as parent conferences, home visits, and family events as directed by the teaching team.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with families to support children’s learning and development.
• Prepare and organize classroom materials, learning centers, and activities that reflect the planned curriculum.
• Work collaboratively with team members and program staff to maintain consistent classroom practices and a positive learning environment.
• Participate in required trainings, meetings, and professional development opportunities to enhance early childhood teaching practices.
• Follow program policies and procedures related to health, safety, supervision, and child protection.
• May be assigned as the temporary team lead in absence of the lead.
• Other duties as assigned an appropriate to the overall success of the program.

Minimum Qualifications

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Possession of credentials required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for employment as a Child Care Assistant.

Preferred Qualifications

60 semester or 90 quarter hours (from accredited college or university) With 6 semester or 9 quarter credit hours in ECE , child development ot related course work. Must have or be working towards a IL Gateway Level 4 IT credential as indicated on IL Gateway PDR . Have at least 1 year experience working with children birth – 5 years old

Alternatively:Have a High School/ GED with a valid Infant Toddler CDA . Must have or be working towards a IL Gateway Level 2 IT credential as indicated on IL Gateway PDR . 1 year experience working with children birth – 5 years old.

Associate Degree in ECE or Child Development with a Level 4 IL Gateway IT credential.

3 years experience in working with children birth – 5 in a child care or school setting.

1 year experience as an Early Head Start teacher.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Meet all University and DCFS hiring requirements, including background check and -Physical Examination
• Follow all DCFS licensing guidelines and Head Start Performance Standards
• Attend required training and professional development

Additional Applicant Information

Physical Requirement/ Demands

The role requires significant physical stamina, with long periods of standing, walking between the kitchen and classrooms, and regularly lifting and moving items. Must be able to physically interact with children, including talk, hear, sit, stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch,or crawl and lift and or move items of up to 50 pounds

Typical early childhood center classroom environment. Classroom are designed to be child centered with child size furnished and equipment per developmentally appropriate per age group. Outdoor spaces with child size equipment and campus walks as permissible per weather and/or safety conditions.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• What is the highest level of education attained?
  • GED
  • High School Diploma
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Masters Degree
  • PHD
• How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
  • 0-1
  • 1-3
  • 3-5
  • 5-7
  • 7+
• Do you have an Illinois Gateway Infant-Toddler credential?
  • Yes
  • No
• Do you agree to a IL DCFS background check that includes finger printing, criminal history, child abuse and neglect, sex offender and possible FBI check?
  • Yes
  • No
• Do you have experience working with young children birth-3 years old?

  (Open Ended Question)