Teacher's Aide/Food Prep

Who we are looking for: The ideal candidate will be mission-driven with a desire to make a difference for families and communities served by LCS Northwest. The Role: This position serves to support the therapeutic early childhood classroom and Parent Education classes through duties such as meal preparation, classroom assistance and driving.  The ideal candidate will have the ability to work effectively with team members as well as with children.  This is a part-time position working about 20-24 hours per week. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  Apply principles of diversity, equity, and racial justice for all familiesAssist Relief Nursery Staff as needed including tasks such as assistance with child guidance and set up and clean-up of classroomMenu plan adhering to USDA guidelines, providing detailed menus for each age group to include item and quantityPurchase food weekly staying within budget guidelines for the Relief Nursery classrooms and ongoing Parent education classes Preparing food for classroom and parent education classes, adhering to USDA guidelines, and dietary restrictions for individual childrenAssist with the transportation of children as neededAssist in documenting classroom notes and progress and maintaining daily attendance, status reports, USDA meal counts and all required tracking and reporting forms.Provide a calm demeanor in crisis situationsMaintain open, positive communication and promote individual/group problem solving skills with children, families, co-workers and the communityModel and encourage direct, professional communication among staff members and facilitate development of a positive staff support networkDemonstrate awareness and sensitivity in the delivery of client services as it relates to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the populations servedAttend all-staff meetings, team meetings, other meetings, and trainings as requested by supervisorAdhere to guidelines for mandated reporter statusComplete other tasks as assigned by supervisorQUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Excellent communication skills, written, verbal, and non-verbalAbility to work effectively with data and computers systems, work independently, and work closely as a team memberAbility to adapt, work effectively under pressure, and work with children who have a variety of stresses/challenges Ability to work with parents and their children in a warm, calming, respectful, encouraging and patient mannerMust be able to work in a multicultural settingRequires strict adherence of HIPAA standards in the office workspace to ensure client confidentialityEDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High School Diploma or GED required.  Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, or another related field is preferred.  Ability to attain an Oregon Food Handler’s card and valid Oregon Driver’s License required. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: A current clearance from the Central Background Registry.  Ability to obtain current CPR card, Oregon Food Handler’s Card, Annual Mandatory Reporter/Child Abuse, and Neglect training.  Must have a current driver’s license, car insurance, and access to a vehicle. BENEFITS: We offer Vacation Leave, with up to 2 weeks per year (based on hours worked). Up to 2 weeks of Sick leave for you or to take care of your immediate family ( based on hours worked). 10 Paid Holidays plus 2 Floating Holidays each year. A 403(b) Retirement plan with matching after meeting eligibility requirements. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help and support you. Mileage and expense reimbursement is also provided.