Teacher Assistant (PT, Head Start)

Lower Columbia College; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Lower Columbia College is seeking a Teacher Assistant to join our Head Start team. You will support Lead Teachers in delivering a center-based program that builds readiness skills for preschool children, following the Creative Curriculum and school policies.

Responsibilities include assisting with activities, observing children, supporting transitions, and helping maintain a positive classroom environment. This role requires strong communication, teamwork, and a willingness to engage with

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Willingness to support a Lead Teacher and follow classroom procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist Lead Teacher in executing lesson plans to foster cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Help maintain an environment aligned with the Creative Curriculum.
• Observe and document child progress to inform planning.
• Assist with transportation duties as needed.
• Support a welcoming atmosphere and engage with families.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Adaptability

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

AA Degree in Early Childhood Education

Job description

At a Glance!

Join our Head Start team as a Teacher Assistant!

Are you passionate about Early Childhood Education and love working as part of a team? We're looking for a dedicated Teacher Assistant to provide vital support to our Lead Teachers in a Head Start classroom. In this role, you will help implement a high-quality, center-based program designed to build essential school readiness skills for preschool children.

The classification for this position is classified as a Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 under Washington State Classification Specifications. The workload for this position averages 17.5 hours per week, no more than 19 hours per week/ OR 75 hours per month, for 9.25 months per year. This position reports to the Area Manager.

Successful candidates start at the beginning of the salary range and will receive scheduled salary increases.

Follow Head Start: For more on Lower Columbia College Head Start, see our News & Reports and join our Social Media page.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Assists Lead Teacher in providing experiences through utilization of the lesson plan to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, directing children in educational activities as well as during lunch, free time, field trips, transitions between activities and playground periods.
• Assist Lead Teacher with providing and maintaining an environment in accordance with the Creative Curriculum.
• Uses positive guidance techniques such as redirecting challenging behavior, setting and maintaining limits, maintaining self-control in a respectful manner without being threatening or humiliating, following the Discipline Policy and Procedure.
• Observes and records behaviors of children to assist the teacher in the identification of each child's strengths, areas to grow and areas of progress.
• Manages the classroom in Lead Teacher's absence.
• Helps achieve a pleasant, inviting atmosphere in which the child feels comfortable and secure including reinforcing ethnic and cultural backgrounds of children.
• Assists the Lead Teacher in administering developmental screening tools on enrolled Head Start/ECEAP children.
• Assists as a bus monitor monitoring transportation of children to and/or from school daily, as needed.
• Establishes friendly cooperative relationships with parents and encourages parent participation in the classroom.
• Receive visitors and telephone inquiries, explain procedures and program routine.
• Respects the confidentiality of information about enrolled children and families, personnel issues and program operations as defined in the Confidentiality Policy. Discusses concerns directly and openly with appropriate staff persons.
• Administers prescribed medication and first aid; handle medical emergencies as they arise.
• Meets with team members to collaborate on planning and delivery of services.
• Attends appropriate workshops, classes and other professional development activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, work conditions, and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• 18 years old
• High School diploma or equivalent
• AA Degree in Early Childhood Education
• Demonstrated knowledge in early childhood development, including cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical growth in preschool-aged children
• A year or more experience in a classroom supportive role with children ages birth to 3 grade.
• Previous experience and/or willingness to serve low-income and/or underrepresented populations
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a team-oriented environment
• Strong communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• A year or more experience in a classroom supportive role with children ages three to five.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Prior to First Day of Employment

• Washington State Patrol Background Check
• Sex Offender Registry Check
• TB test completed within the last year
• Food Worker Card
• Valid Driver’s License
• Cleared Portable Background Check through MERIT (to include fingerprinting)
• Policy Council Approval
• Provide Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) or Acceptable Version of CIS in accordance with the Washington Department of Health, to include:
  1. MMR Vaccine or proof of immunity to measles

The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our Administrative Services Manager.

Upon request, accommodations are available for persons with disabilities for the Lower Columbia College hiring process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Residency Requirement

To be employed at Lower Columbia College, applicants must currently reside in Washington or Oregon, or be willing to relocate to one of these states. This is a condition of employment for all positions at the College. Please ensure your application reflects your current residency or intent to relocate if selected for the role.

Lower Columbia College Human Resources

For any questions regarding this job advertisement and/or department or campus culture, please call our Human Resources office at [phone], or email us directly at [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. All Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Kendra Sprague, Vice President of Foundation, HR & Legal Affairs, 1600 Maple Street, PO Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632, [e-mail], Phone number, [phone], Phone number/TTY [phone].

• Learn more on our Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.
• The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information, visit About Title IX.
• The college encourages qualified members of protected classes to apply.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Lower Columbia College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Lower Columbia College's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at lowercolumbia.edu/CleryASFR.

Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct

Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or professional association or is currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employers or professional association. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.

Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission, Vision & Values define our reason for being, and provide the framework for planning and improvement efforts at LCC. For details on LCC's Mission, Vision & Values, see our Strategic Plan.

Conditions of Employment

• If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• This position is part of a bargaining unit subject to the WFSE HE collective bargaining agreement.
• The College is committed to maintain an environment for teaching and learning which is free of drugs and alcohol.
• If you are hired and are proficient in Spanish, you will have to take a Spanish proficiency test to receive the 5% assignment pay.

Anticipated Start Date

LCC offers two start dates for new employees - the 1st and 16th or the closest working day.