Temporary Classroom Support – (ECEAP) – Multiple locations

Pierce County; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Pierce County is seeking a Part-time Classroom Support in the ECEAP preschool program. 10.5 hours per week, as needed, with a maximum of 69 hours per month, across Sumner, South Hill, Bonney Lake, Eatonville, and Buckley. Employment is grant-funded and seasonal, aligned with the K-12 academic year.

You will assist the preschool teacher, support children's growth, and engage with families to promote healthy development in a high-quality early learning environment.

Qualifications

• 6 months of preschool or childcare experience.

Responsibilities

• Food Service - meal/snack prep, heating, serving, setup and cleanup.
• Classroom - provide coverage for staff breaks, supervise students, support diverse needs.
• Site prep and maintenance - organize classroom and outdoor space, keep environment orderly.
• Attend and participate in required training annually.

Skills

Child care experience

Job description

Multiple Part-Time Positions – 10.5 hours per week, as needed, with a maximum of 69 hours a month - Sumner/South Hill/Bonney Lake/Eatonville/Buckley

This position is grant-funded. Employment is seasonal, generally consistent with the K-12 academic year.

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

As someone with some experience in child care or studying education, you will get hands-on experience working in the pre-school classroom. You will be that extra set of hands for the preschool teacher as they guide and lead activities for children. This could be corralling children, helping with lineup, or putting toys away. You'll observe how teachers work with children when big behaviors or challenges come up.

You will support the successful growth and development of children and their families participating in the ECEAP. The program provides comprehensive services designed to support healthy families, empowered individuals, and thriving communities through high-quality early learning and family-centered opportunities. By joining the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) team, you will have the opportunity to positively impact young children’s growth and development and provide support and encouragement to families of young children.

Why It's a Great Department:

Pierce County Human Services exists to ensure that every person in our community has the opportunity to live with dignity, stability, and hope. As the county’s community and human services department, we strengthen the local safety net by investing in programs that support people at every stage of life—from early childhood and youth development to housing stability, behavioral health, disability support, and services for seniors, veterans, immigrants, and refugees. Working alongside nearly 170 community-based organizations, local governments, and nonprofit partners, we respond to both urgent needs and long-term challenges with compassion, accountability, and collaboration. Whether helping families stay housed, supporting recovery and wellness, connecting people to food and transportation, or expanding access to opportunity, our work is grounded in the belief that strong communities are built when people are seen, supported, and empowered. Together with our partners, we are committed to creating an inclusive, responsive system of care that helps Pierce County residents not just survive—but thrive.

Learn more about the Human Services Department here.

How to be Successful in the Role:

Bring your energy and desire to make a difference. You'll need the ability to work as a contributing support member of a teaching team, providing excellent customer service and communicating effectively with families, children, and community partners. We need you to be reliable, prepared, and willing to multitask, ask questions plus take direction and feedback.

Your Future in this Role:

A temporary Classroom Support in the ECEAP preschool program fits into the mission of the Human Services Department and the Community Action Division by supporting high-quality Early Learning services to diverse families. You will learn and grow through observation and hands-on experience.

Part-time position – 10.5 hours per week, as needed, with a maximum of 69 hours a month.

This position is grant-funded. Employment is seasonal, generally consistent with the K-12 academic year.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Food Service- provide meal/snack preparation and service including light cooking, heating, serving, set-up, and clean-up. Follow Health Department and Puget Sound Educational Service District policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Classroom- provide coverage in the classroom for staff breaks, emergency, and substitute coverage. Interact positively and provide active supervision to students to support individual learning and emotional needs. Support an inclusive environment for children who may come with a variety of special needs.
• Site preparation and maintenance- assist in preparing and organizing the classroom, classroom materials, and outdoor space, perform daily classroom cleaning, and assist in maintaining an orderly and developmentally appropriate environment.
• Attend and participate in required training annually.

• Additional education or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements.
• 6 months of successful, relevant experience in a preschool or childcare setting.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

• A valid Washington State driver's license may be required when travel is required of the position.
• Pediatric First Aid/CPR card must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
• Food Handler's permit must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• TB skin test or for those individuals with a positive skin test a statement from a doctor or chest x-ray must be furnished upon hire.
• Proof of MMR or immunity.
• Successfully complete a Portable Background Check through the Department of Early Learning within 30 days of hire and kept current to have necessary unsupervised access to children.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

• Additional education or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements.
• 6 months of successful, relevant experience in a preschool or childcare setting.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

• A valid Washington State driver's license may be required when travel is required of the position.
• Pediatric First Aid/CPR card must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
• Food Handler's permit must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• TB skin test or for those individuals with a positive skin test a statement from a doctor or chest x-ray must be furnished upon hire.
• Proof of MMR or immunity.
• Successfully complete a Portable Background Check through the Department of Early Learning within 30 days of hire and kept current to have necessary unsupervised access to children.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.