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

At a Glance:As a Center Aide with Lower Columbia Colleges Head Start/ECEAP program you wont just be offering help and supportyou 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.

• 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 childrens 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 childs 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.

Physical Requirements

Seldom 1 10% of the time

Occasionally 11 33% of the time

Frequently 34 66% of the time

• Seldom sit for long periods of time (up to 7 hours) during mandatory trainings

• Seldom in emergency situations pick up children up to 80 lbs. (with assistance)

• Occasionally multiple uses of bleach solution for cleaning/sanitizing classroom and classroom supplies daily/weekly

• Occasionally classroom arrangement including moving furniture

• Frequently bend over to pick up items and/or assist children

• Frequently sit either on child-sized chairs or the floor

• Frequently squat

• Frequently extended periods of standing

• Frequently maintain sight and sound supervision of children

• Frequently walk during outside play

• Frequently lift/carrying classroom materials (up to 5 -10 lbs.)

• Frequently stack chairs
  

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities skills effort work conditions and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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)

Prior to First Day of Employment

• 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

The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting but we do consider candidates with relatable education experience and skills. We encourage you to apply.

How to apply:

An online application must be completed for consideration. Click Apply at the top of the page to get started. Paper submissions or emailed materials will not be accepted. A complete application must also include the following documents (attached or in the online application itself):

• Letter of Interest(cover letter) - describing your interest in Lower Columbia College and this position how your experience knowledge/skills education abilities etc. meet the qualifications for this position

• Resume

• References- please provide at least three professional references including one current or former supervisor

• Unofficial transcripts(if applicable)

Upon request accommodations are available for persons with disabilities for the Lower Columbia College hiring process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Residency Requirement

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. Please ensure your application reflects your current residency or intent to relocate if selected for the role.

Lower Columbia College Human Resources

For any questions regarding this job advertisement and/or department or campus culture please call our Human Resources office at or email us directly at.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin citizenship or immigration status age perceived or actual physical or mental disability pregnancy genetic information sex sexual orientation gender identity marital status creed religion honorably discharged veteran or military status or use of a trained guide dog or service animal as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington States Law Against Discrimination Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. All Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX access equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Kendra Sprague Vice President of Foundation HR & Legal Affairs 1600 Maple Street PO Box 3010 Longview WA 98632 Phone number Phone number/TTY .

• Learn more on ourNon-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.

• The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visitAbout Title IX.

• The college encourages qualified members of protected classes to apply.
  
  

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

LCC celebrates and embraces diversity of all kinds including differing beliefs cultures people and experiences. We commit to institutional and individual changes that recognize understand and challenge patterns of social inequity and systemic disparities within our ever-changing world. For more information seeDiversity & Equity.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998 and as a part of the Colleges commitment to safety and security on campus Lower Columbia College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues the required statistics and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Lower Columbia Colleges Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at Regarding Sexual Misconduct

Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or professional association or is currently being investigated for or have left a position during an investigation into a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicants current or past employers or professional association. By law post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.

Mission Vision & Values

Our Mission Vision & Values define our reason for being and provide the framework for planning and improvement efforts at LCC. For details on LCCs Mission Vision & Values see ourStrategic Plan.

Conditions of Employment

• If you are hired you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.

• Prior to a new hire a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• This position is part of a bargaining unit subject to the WFSE HE collective bargaining agreement.

• The College is committed to maintain an environment for teaching and learning which is free of drugs and alcohol.

• If you are hired and are proficient in Spanish you will have to take a Spanish proficiency test to receive the 5% assignment pay.

Anticipated Start Date

LCC offers two start dates for new employees - the 1st and 16th or the closest working day.