Teacher Assistant - Temporary

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington•Yakima, WA

3d•$17 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

The Teacher Assistant supports the Lead Teacher with classroom care and planning for the classroom and individual children, including the learning environment and volunteers. Under the Lead Teacher’s direction, the assistant provides and implements developmentally and culturally appropriate early childhood experiences for children. This is a temporary, full-time position in Yakima, Washington, anticipated to run from approximately November 16, 2026, through May 31, 2027. The role supports children’s health, education, and social-emotional development; helps establish a classroom environment aligned with the Creative Curriculum and applicable Early Achievers and ECEAP standards; and implements the Second Steps Personal Safety Curriculum in preschool classrooms. The assistant also fosters a positive classroom climate, supports communication and relationships with children and families, and helps maintain a safe, healthy learning environment. The position includes participation in required training, supervision and teacher meetings, learning groups, center activities, and other assigned duties. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The stated wage range is $17.20–$18.20 per hour, depending on education and experience. Employment is conditional upon clearance of a criminal background check and fingerprinting.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
ECE Certificate or Professional Development Plan.
At least 2 years of experience in an Early Childhood program.
Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills.
Good judgment.
Basic computer skills.
Skills in adult supervision, classroom planning, and classroom management.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff.
Valid First Aid and CPR certification.
Valid Food Handlers Card.
Clearance through a criminal background check and fingerprinting is a condition of employment.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including standing, walking, bending, lifting or other medium physical exertion, talking, hearing, and adequate vision on a regular basis; these demands apply up to 95% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Under the Lead Teacher’s guidance, implement activities and experiences supporting children’s health, education, and social-emotional development.
Establish a learning environment according to the Creative Curriculum and Early Achiever quality standards, and ECEAP standards if applicable.
Implement the Second Steps Personal Safety Curriculum in preschool classrooms.
Provide activities and opportunities that encourage an individualized approach to each child’s developmental level and learning style.
Under the Lead Teacher’s guidance, foster a positive emotional classroom climate based on licensing standards.
Provide guidance and support through positive interactions between children and adults.
Encourage open communication through back-and-forth conversations, warm and nurturing tones, and interacting at the child’s level.
Provide opportunities and support for children to understand, acquire, and use verbal and non-verbal ways to communicate thoughts and feelings.
Under the Lead Teacher’s guidance, create a partnership with families that encourages engagement according to ECEAP and/or Early Achiever quality standards.
Communicate with parents daily by greeting them and discussing events of the children’s day as needed.
Communicate with parents about classroom-to-classroom transitions, as applicable.
Maintain an accurate, up-to-date timesheet by consistently clocking in and out.
Schedule a substitute when planning time off.
Under the Lead Teacher’s guidance, create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.
Maintain classroom supplies and materials inventory and upkeep.
Report needed repairs and maintenance to the Early Learning Site Supervisor.
Provide a safe, developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor learning environment using the Safety and Sanitation Checklist.
Apply health standards and care for children and the classroom according to licensing, Early Achiever, and ECEAP standards.
Participate in required training according to ECEAP and/or licensing regulations.
Participate in scheduled supervision meetings, Lead Teacher meetings, teacher learning groups, and other assigned meetings.
Participate in center activities and perform other duties as requested.

Benefits

Seven paid holidays and one paid personal day.
15 days of Paid Time Off per year.
Health insurance including medical and prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision plans; Catholic Charities pays the majority of premiums.
Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions begin upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions after six months of employment.
Basic life insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities.
Flexible Spending Account eligibility after six months of employment.
Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after six months of employment.
Additional voluntary insurance options, including supplemental life, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, long-term disability, accident, and identity theft coverage.
Employee Assistance Program, including three counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other well-being tools.
Annual longevity awards beginning at five years of employment.