TEACHER ASSISTANT TRAINEE

Neighborhood House Association; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Neighborhood House Association in San Diego, CA, is hiring a Child Development Assistant to support preschool instruction under supervision. The role involves implementing Head Start-aligned lesson plans and helping create a safe and nurturing learning environment that fosters physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth.

The position requires basic computer skills, a high school diploma or GED, and willingness to participate in training and ongoing development.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of computers and related software; ability to use basic office equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the instruction of pre-school children; implement weekly lesson plans aligned with Head Start curriculum and standards.
• Maintain a safe, engaging classroom environment supporting physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Assist in child screenings using appropriate tools and support routine hygiene and mealtime safety.
• Support staff with day-to-day activities, attendance tracking, and reporting; participate in required training.
• Observe development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and assist with documentation and home visits as needed.

Skills

Computers

Education

HS Diploma / GED

Job description

POSITION PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Site Supervisor (or designated teaching staff) aids in the instruction of children.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position.

• Assists in the instruction of the pre-school aged children;
• Assist in implementing weekly lesson plans, which integrate activities that are developmentally appropriate for preschool children; that reflect Head Start curriculum and philosophy, and comply with the Performance Standards;
• Aid in developing and maintaining a safe and pleasing environment for the children which facilitates their ability to grow physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually;
• Assists in administering the screening of each child using appropriate assessment tools but not the translating/interpreting of those assessments:
• Assists in ensuring that daily hygiene needs are met by modeling such routines as tooth brushing, hand washing, use of the bathroom, and meal times;
• Assists in ensuring the safety of the classroom as well as the outdoor playground;
• Assist in providing emotional support and encourages high self-esteem in the children;
• Participates in required training;
• Administers first aid when needed;
• Participates in center level case management meetings as needed;
• Observes the development of IEP’s for children with special needs;
• Assist with the preparation of monthly reports on attendance, excused absences, daily sign in/put sheets, in-kind and CCFP meal count;
• May help with conducting home visits and parent/teacher conferences;
• Participates in cross-component tasks; works with community resources to identify child/family needs and refer to proper resources for assistance;
• Helps in the supervision of outdoor play environment and field trips;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Computers and related software programs. Must be computer literate.

Ability to:

• Assist in creating and maintaining a safe learning environment for children and others;
• Work effectively with children, parents, family, and community;
• Have regular, consistent attendance;
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills;
• Be sensitive to the needs of culturally and ethnically diverse groups;
• Speak a second language desirable.

Education and/or experience:

High School Diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or High School Proficiency Certificate required. Child Development or Early Childhood Education units from an accredited college/university or ROP Training in a Child Development Program preferred.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Reasoning Ability:

While performing the duties of this job, an employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; observe; and interact with program management, staff, clients and others encountered in the course of work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, LICENSES & CERTIFICATES:

Certification in pediatric first aid and CPR must be met within 90 days of employment. Must meet and maintain state law and county licensing requirements regarding employment in a childcare center (fingerprints, TB, physical, immunizations).

1) All persons hired in this position will be required to take (on their own) and successfully complete (with at least a “C”) a minimum of six (6) units of Child Development (CD) or Early Childhood Education (ECE) at an accredited college or university within 12 months of employment. This is a 2-year position. After 2 years, the employee must promote to a higher position or vacate the position.

2) Will assist in breaks and planning time for teacher and associate teacher, as needed. This position may not be left alone supervising children unless person has at least 12 units of child development (CD) or early childhood education (ECE) at an accredited college or university.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

Employee is required to stand, bend or stoop for long periods of time; sit, stand, talk or hear in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and other standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may be required to lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus to view documents.

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new skills and information; perform work on multiple, concurrent tasks; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with Association staff and others encountered in the course of work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee regularly works under typical childcare conditions; the noise level varies from quiet to loud.