Assistant Teacher - ECEAP

Title: ECEAP Assistant Teacher 

Employment Status: Part- Time

Schedule: School Year

FTE: 0.5 | 127 days

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Center Director 

Supervises: - 

Offering New Employee Bonus! $300 after successful completion of 60 days of employment.

Benefits - Benefits are for employees who work 30 hours per week. 

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance  
• PTO  
• Paid Holidays
• Discounted child care
• 401k with 2.5% match 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• $10,000 Basic Life Insurance 
• Voluntary STD, LTD, and additional life insurance 
• Quarterly passes to Columbia Sportwear and Adidas employee store 

Who are we:  

We’re a nonprofit organization founded in response to the question, “How can we work to improve opportunities for our community’s children?”. This question is at the heart of the work that we do. We believe that the answer to this question is through building environments where children can learn and develop themselves through play. By playing, our children learn about the world and how they relate to it, giving them the foundation needed to thrive. 

How do we do this? We work in partnership with the Educational Service District (ESD) 112 to staff and facilitate numerous childcare centers in the southwest Washington area. Our programs are designed to support children at ages ranging from birth, to preschool, to school age. We have program types to support children of all backgrounds and needs. 

You may be wondering what joining our team really means for you. Aside from getting to play with children all day, you go home at the end of the day knowing that your work is directly impacting the lives of those children by readying them for school and enriching their lives. You’ll be part of a team that values connection, accountability, and innovation. We pride ourselves on fostering a community that helps our mission by helping each other. 

If you are passionate about uplifting young minds and wish to make an impact that expands outside of the classroom, we would love to have you join our team! 

General Description of Position:

Under the direction of the ECEAP Lead Teacher and the supervision of the Center Director, the ECEAP Assistant Teacher assists in preparing the classroom materials and plans providing quality learning experiences for preschool children ages 3-5, assisting in the implementation of methods that promote independence, curiosity, decision-making, cooperation, persistence, creativity, and problem solving in young children. Assists in encouraging parental involvement in educational planning, goal setting, and center activities. Responsibilities include providing direct services and engaging with children in the classroom, as well as regular collaborative planning and follow-up, using program databases and tools. 

Qualifications and Skills: 

• 18 years of age or older. 
• High school diploma or GED. 
• Must meet upon hire OR be willing and able to complete one of the following within 5 years of hire. 
  • At least 12 college quarter credits in early childhood education 
  • Initial or higher Washington State Early Childhood Education Certificate 
  • A current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential awarded by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition.

Employment Requirements: 

• Successful completion of a portable background check (PBC) and clearance through the Department of Children Youth and Families prior to working in program. 
• Participation in Washington’s State Training and Registry System (STARS) program required. 
• Valid CPR certification including child/infant prior to working in program. 
• Valid Food Handler’s Card required prior to working in program. 
• Negative TB test completed within the previous twelve months prior to working in program. 
• Initial health exam completed by medical provider showing you are free from communicable diseases. 
• Documentation showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR), either vaccination records or results of a Titer test prior to working in program. 
• Completion of HIV/Blood Borne Pathogens training prior to working in program. 
• Provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or have an approved medical/religious exception on file. 

Essential Functions: 

• Must be present during all hours per year of child direct service hours, whenever needed to ensure a safe learning environment. 
• Demonstrates competency to implement program activities under the direction of a lead teacher.
• Assist in planning and implementing curriculum, posted lesson plans, and class schedules. 
• Establish and maintain positive communication using collaborative methods to problem solve and interact with families, children, and staff. 
• Assist in maintaining all required records and child files in an accurate and timely manner. Assist teacher in daily observations and the collecting and assembling of child portfolios. 
• Assist in setting up the environment of the room with well-defined interest areas. Set up toys and materials so that they are accessible to children. 
• Follow established plans to meet the needs of the individual children with concerns for interests, disabilities, special talents, cultural background and individual styles. 
• Support and follow the guidance techniques posted in the classroom. 
• Maintain confidentiality. 
• Participate regularly in staff meetings, in-service programs, and workshops. This may require the ability to work occasional nights and weekends. 
• Assist with child assessments and conducting child-center observations as required throughout the program year. Includes supporting other centers throughout SW Washington.  
• Follow the direction of the Center Director. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: 

• Regular attendance during scheduled work hours. 
• Must present a professional and positive demeanor in behavior and dress.
• Requires the ability to move or traverse about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, center activities, etc.
• Moderate or frequent exposure to loud noises, outside weather elements, and temperature changes.
• Lifting requirements include the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects including, the human body.
• Job involves sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and/or pulling. Position involves physical mobility with or without reasonable accommodation to perform essential functions of the job.

SELF is an Equal Opportunity Employer