On Call Teacher Assistant - Head Start - Part-time

Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency•Salem, OR

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Teacher Assistant supports Head Start classroom operations by working with Teachers and Classroom Aides in education, food service, and cleaning. The role helps provide a safe classroom environment and supports children’s cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and language development through curriculum implementation, lesson planning, and individualized support. The position is part-time and benefitted, working 20–29 hours weekly. Locations include Salem, Woodburn, Dallas, Independence, Stayton, and Jefferson. The role offers opportunities for growth and professional development through hands-on experience and education. It has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Level 1: Obtain a Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college within two years of hire to maintain employment in the program.
Level 2: Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college.
For Level 2, six months of experience working in a Head Start classroom or one year working with preschool children in a classroom or group setting; qualifying combinations of college Early Childhood Education practicum hours, three months of preschool classroom or childcare experience, and/or participation in a high school Early Childhood Preparatory program may be considered.
Valid driver’s license, an insured vehicle available for work use, and a satisfactory driving record for the previous three years.
Successful registration with the Child Care Division’s Central Background Registry.
CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain it within 60 days of hire.
Food Handler’s Card or ability to obtain it within 30 days of hire.
Pass a pre-employment physical examination, renewable every two years.
Pass pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.
Demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and empathy when communicating with clients, staff, and community partners.
Demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Office, videoconferencing platforms, and web tools.
Ability to remain calm when staff or clients are escalated and to manage stress associated with a busy office and regular deadlines.

Responsibilities

Ensure children’s safety through appropriate classroom supervision and use of transition and counting forms and procedures.
Ensure children are released only to parents, guardians, or authorized adults.
Support teachers in children’s cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and language development through curriculum implementation, lesson planning, and individualization.
Conduct and record child observations to inform goal setting.
Use lesson plans and a variety of curricula to address individual children’s goals, characteristics, strengths, and needs.
Support program areas that may include education, food service, and cleaning.
Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.