Teacher Assistant (Head Start, Part Time)

At a Glance! Teacher Assistants are a vital support to the Lead Teachers in Head Start classrooms. We are looking for Teacher Assistants that have a passion for working in Early Childhood with children and thrive as part of a team. Teacher Assistants' main role is to help implement an appropriate Early Childhood center-based program for preschool children with a focus on school readiness skills and goals.

The classification for this position is Early Childhood Program Specialist Early Childhood Program Specialist 2. Average 17.5 hours per week, no more than 19 hours per week, 75 hours per month, for 9.25 months per year. This position is paid at $19.40 for meeting minimum qualifications and $19.85 for desired qualifications.

Apply early! This recruitment will stay open until filled with an initial screening date of March 11th, 2024. To be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before March 10th, 2024.

Follow Head Start: For more on Lower Columbia College Head Start, see our News & Reports and join our Social Media page.  You will have the opportunity to:

• Assists Lead Teacher in providing experiences through utilization of the lesson plan to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, directing children in educational activities as well as during lunch, free time, field trips, transitions between activities and playground periods.

• Assist  Lead Teacher with providing and maintaining an environment in accordance with the Creative Curriculum.

• Uses positive guidance techniques such as redirecting challenging behavior, setting and maintaining limits, maintaining self-control in a respectful manner without being threatening or humiliating, following the Discipline Policy and Procedure.

• Observes and records behaviors of children to assist the teacher in the identification of each child's strengths, areas to grow and areas of progress.

• Manages the classroom in Lead Teacher's absence.

• Helps achieve a pleasant, inviting atmosphere in which the child feels comfortable and secure including reinforcing ethnic and cultural backgrounds of children.

• Assists the Lead Teacher in administering developmental screening tools on enrolled Head Start/ECEAP children.

• Assists as a bus monitor 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.

• Receive visitors and telephone inquiries, explain procedures and program routine.

• 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.

• Administers prescribed medication and first aid; handle medical emergencies as they arise.

• Meets with team members to collaborate on planning and delivery of services.

• Attends appropriate workshops, classes and other professional development activities.

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.   To be successful in this role, you will need:

• 18 years old

• High School diploma or equivalent

• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate or commitment to achieve ECE certificate within 3 years of hire

• One year of experience in an early childhood education program ages prenatal to five

• Knowledge of child development including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical

• Ability to work as part of a team

• Previous experience and/or willingness to serve diverse, low-income and/or underrepresented populations

• Strong communication skills

Desired Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education

Physical Requirements:

Seldom = 1 - 10% of the time

• Lift up to 50lbs

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

Occasionally = 11 - 33% of the time

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

• Classroom arrangement including moving furniture

Frequently = 34 - 66% of the time

• Bend over to pick up items and/or assist children

• Stack chairs

• Sit either on child-sized chairs or the floor

• Squat

• Extended periods of standing

• Maintain sight and sound supervision of children

• Walk - during outside play

• Lift - carrying classroom materials (up to 5 -10 lbs.)

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

• Valid Driver's License

• Cleared Portable Background Check through MERIT (to include fingerprinting)

• 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 even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our HR team. 

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, 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. All Inquiries regarding compliance with access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Vice President of Foundation, HR & Legal Affairs,1600 Maple Street, PO Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632, Phone number, (360) 442-2120, Phone number/TTY (800) 833-6388. Learn more on our Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.

• The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information, visit About 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, see Diversity & 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 College's 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 College's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at lowercolumbia.edu/CleryASFR.

Declaration 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 associations or is currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant's current or past employers or professional associations. 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 LCC's Mission, Vision & Values, see our Strategic Plan.

Application Procedure and Requirements

An online application must be completed for consideration. 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):

• Resume

• Cover Letter (Letter of Interest)

• 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.

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 applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

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

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

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 (360) 442-2120, or email us directly at hr@lowercolumbia.edu.