Center Aide (Head Start, 11.5 months, 40 hours)

Lower Columbia College•Longview, WA

58d•Onsite

About The Position

At a Glance: As a Center Aide with Lower Columbia College's Head Start/ECEAP program, you won't just be offering "help and support"-you will be an integral pillar of our team, directly enhancing early childhood development. Your contribution is highly valued as we work to transform lives and build stronger communities. Lower Columbia College is accepting applications for a full time opening at our LCC West location working in our Teen Parent Pathways classroom, infants to age three. The schedule for this position will be from 7:30- 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. This position is categorized as an Early Childhood Program Specialist 1, under State of Washington Class Specification. This position is a permanent classified position and is for 11.5 months out of the year working 40 hours per week, with benefits. This position reports to the Area Manager. This position will be open until 11/30/25. Successful candidates typically start towards the beginning of the salary range and will receive scheduled salary increases. Check us out on social media, Facebook & Instagram!

Requirements

18 years or older
Child Care Basics or approved DCYF trainings or willing to complete prior to working in the classroom or with families (employer paid)
Interest in infant/toddler/preschool child development, including cognitive, language, social/emotional, and physical
Ability to work as part of a team
Previous experience and/or willingness to serve low-income and/or underrepresented populations
Excellent communication and time management skills
Washington State Patrol Background Check
Sex Offender Registry Check
TB test completed within the last year
Food Worker Card
Cleared Portable Background Check through MERIT (to include fingerprinting)
Unofficial Transcripts
Policy Council Approval
Provide Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) or Acceptable Version of CIS in accordance with the Washington Department of Health, to include:
MMR Vaccine or proof of immunity to measles
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.

Nice To Haves

High School Diploma
Early Childhood Initial Certification (3 college courses)
Previous experience in a licensed childcare or early learning environment
Bilingual preferred (assignment pay may be available)

Responsibilities

Supports lead teacher and/or assistant with implementing activities from the lesson plan with children.
Responsible at all times for the active supervision of children. Complete regular counts of children present: in the classroom, on playgrounds, on buses, and during transitions in and out of the classrooms.
Assists children with daily routine and follows the planned daily schedule.
Guide children in activities which promote physical, intellectual, emotional and social development under the supervision of a teacher or assistant.
Assist children with toileting, meal times, nap time (if applicable) and provide supervision of the children during these periods.
Prepare and assist with preparing supplies and materials in advance for use by children and prepare the classroom for children's use when transitioning from one activity to another.
Assist in maintaining the classroom and keep all areas in a neat, sanitary and organized manner.
Uses positive guidance techniques: acknowledging feelings, redirecting challenging behavior, setting/maintaining limits, and teaching problem solving skills. Maintains self-control and approaches children with respect.
Encourages individual work, experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making. Listens and asks open ended questions to extend interactions.
Works as part of the classroom team to ensure teacher child ratios are met (1:4 or 2:8 for 0-3 year olds ).
Maintains a clean and safe environment; and sets up the classroom by assisting in rotating materials and equipment.
Helps achieve a pleasant, inviting atmosphere in which the child feels comfortable and secure including reinforcing ethnic and cultural backgrounds of children.
Make every effort to communicate with families in their home language, i.e., utilize interpreters or complete a college provided Spanish language skills test to communicate directly with Spanish speaking families.
Support dual language children development through use of English language and visual supports.
Assists with bus 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.
Is able to plan and work cooperatively within a teaching team and with other adults in the center.
Greets visitors; answers telephone inquiries; and refers to appropriate staff.
Ensures the sign in/out forms for each child's individual record is completed accurately.
Assists with meal count during meal time.
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.
Arrives at work on time, punctually attends and participates actively in trainings, staff meetings, and Professional Learning Communities (PLC).
Follows program policies and procedures, federal, and state regulations.
Reports suspected child abuse in accordance with Washington State Law and following program procedures.
Exhibits acceptable ethics and positive professional behavior, such as: reliability, enthusiasm, initiative, resourcefulness, self-confidence, control, flexibility and honesty.
Maintains constructive team relationships and coordinates effective goals by identifying and planning ways to work together successfully.
Effectively manages conflict situations by using conflict resolution skills and effective problem solving.
Is aware of the potential impact of own attitudes and behaviors, and makes appropriate adjustments to assure that services are purposeful and appropriate.
Prep formula, breast milk, and baby food.
Perform related duties as required.