Preschool Teacher Assistant, On-call - Head Start

Join our Head Start team! The Teacher Assistant works with Teachers and Family Educators to provide support in one or more of the following program areas: education riding the bus food service and cleaning.

This is a substitute Teacher Assistant position working up to 19 hours per week.

Candidates must submit applications by 6/11/25 to be considered for first-round interviews.

The Teacher Assistant works with Teachers and Family Educators to provide support in one or more of the following program areas: education riding the bus food service and cleaning.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED; and

  • Level I: Must obtain Child Development Associate (CDA) or Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college within two years from date of hire to maintain employment in the Program.
  • Level II: Child Development Associate (CDA) or Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college.

• Six months of experience working in a Head Start classroom or one year of experience working with preschool children in a classroom/childcare setting.

CERTIFICATES LICENSES REGISTRATIONS

• Driver qualification status is not required for this position.
• Successful registration with the Central Background Registry of the Child Care Division.
• CPR/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Food Handlers Card or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment physical examination renewable every two years.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated proficiencies in Microsoft Office (including Outlook) videoconferencing platforms and web tools.
• Effective communication skills in both written and oral form.

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

• Ensures safety in the classroom at all times with appropriate supervision of children utilizing the transition and counting form and procedure. Ensures children are released only to parent/guardians or authorized adults.
• Supports teacher in providing for the development of childrens cognitive physical social-emotional and language skills through implementation of curriculum lesson planning and individualization.
• Conducts and records child observations to utilize in setting goals.
• Utilizes lesson plans and a variety of curriculum to address childrens individual goals taking into account each childs characteristics strengths and needs.
• Maintains an acceptable and positive level of guidance in individual and group situations reacting to emergency situations with competence and a calm attitude.
• Prepares materials activities and projects for class.
• Maintains a clean sanitary safe and orderly classroom during and after class times.
• Participates in family style meals taking USDA required meal counts and leading conversation at the table to enhance the social and emotional growth of children.
• Participates in monthly classroom emergency drills to prepare children and staff for fires earthquakes secure campus and lockdown situations.
• Supports team by providing coverage for breaks lunches and illness at home site as well as other sites in the program.
• Works with parents whose children require potty-training support.
• Acts as a bus rider making the bus an extension of the classroom and supporting a positive environment during bus rides.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

There are no supervisory duties in this position.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to remain calm and quickly evacuate children from the classroom in an emergency.
• Requires basic planning and problem-solving with guidance from a supervisor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Mostly indoor classroom and bus riding environment.
• Frequent outdoor supervision of children and monitoring pick up/drop off.
• Occasional exposure to cleaning chemicals creative substances such as paints.
• Occasional exposure to body fluids/biohazards (such as saliva vomit and urine).

**Enrollment in the Central Background Registry is beneficial if you are even considering working with children in the State of Oregon since it will be required before you can start a position. Enrollment is free and it is recommended that you start now as the process can take time. Start enrollment online at:

MWVCAA is committed to promoting and achieving diversity equity and inclusion with employees and with those we serve. The agency strives to be an employer of choice with a vision for all people to be respected for their infinite worth and supported to envision and reach a positive future.

MWVCAA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race religion color national origin sex sexual orientation gender expression age veterans and people with disabilities or any other protected category. We welcome all people to join us in achieving our Mission. If you require any assistance in the application process or reasonable accommodations to perform the essential duties of the position please notify a member of our team at .

**This is a partial list of essential duties and responsibilities. To review the full job description download below.

If you need ADA accommodations to apply for MWVCAA job openings please contact Human Resources at or call to ask for a HR Team Member.

Child Care Division Central Background Registration and pre-employment drug screening is required.