Assistant Teacher
**This is a full-time, 40 hr/week position that works from September through mid-June each year. We may also have part-time position(s) available**
Edmonds Community College is looking for qualified individuals with a passion for working with children to apply for the position of Assistant Teacher in our Head Start & ECEAP programs. We are looking for people who personify our values by building trusting relationships with children that honor individual differences, cultural & linguistic backgrounds, and current circumstances. Successful candidates display a commitment to open communication and teamwork and are eager to work in a fast-paced, quality preschool environment. This is a great opportunity for organized and dependable ECE professionals with strong work ethics and a desire to grow.
The Assistant Teacher instructs children aged three to five in a classroom setting, implements individual child educational programming and prepares curriculum materials as directed by the Teacher/Family Advocate. In the absence of the Teacher/Family Advocate, the Assistant Teacher takes the lead in managing the classroom.
This is a full-time, 40 hour/week position, September through mid-June. Assistant Teachers enjoy their summers off, along with winter and spring breaks that align with local school districts. Other benefits include:
- Paid federal holidays during the school year (including two days at Thanksgiving)
- Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave
- Tuition waivers for college classes
- Full health insurance packages, including vision and dental
- State retirement plan
KEY COMPETENCIES (specific knowledge, skills or skill sets, and/or abilities necessary to perform work activities):
- Be able to perform all the essential functions of the position
- Ability to work independently, but also be a team player
- Ability to problem-solve and handle sensitive information and difficult situations tactfully and confidentially
- Must be knowledgeable of and work in accordance with Head Start/ECEAP Performance Standards, Federal, State, and College policies and regulations, and negotiated agreements
- Must be able to use a computer for written communication
- Must be able to respond to and initiate communication with program employees and enrolled families
- Must be able to prioritize unplanned but required duties with ongoing confirmed deadlines. Must be flexible and able to negotiate priorities according to program needs while considering rules and process requirements
- Must be able to work under stressful situations and manage stress appropriately
- Must be able to accomplish repetitive tasks while maintaining a high level of accuracy
- Must be able to work independently and exercise appropriate judgment
- Must be able to exhibit cultural humility when working with staff and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
- Must be able to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on the floor, lift approximately 50 pounds, sit in a child's size chair, and move quickly from multiple positions and levels
- Must consistently adhere to an established work schedule and maintain a 95% attendance rate
- Ability to perform regular sanitation/cleaning of the classroom that may require the use of a broom, carpet sweeper, mop, vacuum, and the use of cleaning products
- Must be able to transport self to off-site trainings and meetings
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
100%: Assisting in a Preschool Classroom
- Instruct children in a classroom setting
- Implement individual child educational programming and prepare curriculum materials as directed by the Teacher/Family Advocate
- Record anecdotal observations, conduct screenings and assessments according to standardized instructions
- Maintain paper and electronic documentation and records
- Execute classroom snack and meal service
- Set up a preschool classroom (including moving of child's size furniture, tables, chairs, shelves, and regular sized shelving units)
- Perform regular sanitation and cleaning of the classroom
- Maintain the health and safety of all children and their environment
- Ensure that no child is ever left alone or unsupervised
- In the absence of the Teacher/Family Advocate, take the lead in managing the classroom
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
One of the following is required:
- Washington State Initial Early Childhood Education Certificate, or
- 12 credits in early childhood education, leading to an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or
- a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or
- enrollment in a CDA credential program, to be completed within two years of hire
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associate's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education
- Experience working in a preschool classroom
- Experience working with children who have special needs and/or disabilities
- Fluency in a language other than English
Additional Information
COMPENSATION
Salary range: Beginning salary is $2781 per month for 40 hours per week, with incremental increases to $3122 per month plus a full state benefits package, which includes tuition waivers for college classes, medical, dental, retirement options and more. Vacation and leave package includes 9 sick days per year, 8 scheduled holidays, 1 personal holiday, 2 personal leave days, and 10.5 vacation days per year (incremental increases to 18.75 vacation days per year). Leave and holiday accruals and pro-rated for positions with less than 1.0 FTE.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Hiring for this position is on the condition that candidates meet the following requirements:
Before Starting Work:
- Submit paperwork indicating negative TB Test or clear chest x-ray within one year of hire date
- Show proof of Tdap booster vaccination
- Show proof of MMR (measles) vaccination
- Submit proof of a cleared Portable Background Check from the Washington State Department of Early Learning (NOTE: if you do not have a current PBC, you must first create an account in the DEL's MERIT system by clicking here. The fees for obtaining a PBC are your responsibility. The entire process of obtaining a PBC takes 3-4 weeks. You may not start working until we have a copy of your cleared PBC.)
- Present a current Food Worker Card from the Snohomish County Health District
- Submit proof of US Citizenship or ability to work in US (must show original social security or Alien Registration Card/Work Permit, as well as one piece of picture identification)
- Completion of all pertinent personnel/payroll forms
- Begin Hepatitis B series, show proof of Hep B immunity, or sign Hep B vaccination waiver
- Submit official education transcript and/or CDA certificate showing employee meets the minimum requirements of the position
- Signed statement by a health provider that the employee is free from communicable diseases and physically able to perform job responsibilities.
- Obtain pediatric/adult 1st Aid/CPR certification (must be maintained in current status)
- Successfully complete a nine-month probationary period
- Keep all certifications and clearances in current status
- Complete 15 hours of Professional Development Training each year
EEO / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT
Edmonds Community College is an equal opportunity employer and assures equality of treatment in educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), disability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.