Title: Center Assistant - Substitute

Program: Birth-5

Employment Status: Part-time - Full Time - Schedule could vary based on Program needs and your availability.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Center Director

Supervises: N/A

Offering New Employee Bonus! $300 after successful completion of 60 days of employment.

Benefits offered for Employees' who work 30 hours per week.

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Discounted childcare
• 401k with 2.5% match
• Employee Assistance Program
• $10,000 Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary STD, LTD, and additional life insurance
• Quarterly passes to Columbia Sportwear and Adidas employee store

SELF Mission:

Support for Early Learning and Families (SELF) convenes and mobilizes partners and stakeholders throughout Southwest Washington to promote community awareness and advocacy for early learning, kindergarten readiness and school success for all children.

How do we do this? We work in partnership with the Educational Service District (ESD) 112 to staff and facilitate numerous childcare centers in the southwest Washington area. Our programs are designed to support children at ages ranging from birth, to preschool, to school age. We have program types to support children of all backgrounds and needs.

You may be wondering what joining our team really means for you. Aside from getting to play with children all day, you go home at the end of the day knowing that your work is directly impacting the lives of those children by readying them for school and enriching their lives. You’ll be part of a team that values connection, accountability, and innovation. We pride ourselves on fostering a community that helps our mission by helping each other.

If you are passionate about uplifting young minds and wish to make an impact that expands outside of the classroom, we would love to have you join our team!

General Description of Position:

Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, and supervision of the Center Director, the Child Care Assistant Teacher is responsible for assisting in the creation of a learning environment which is safe, healthy, stimulating and caring, with activities designed around children’s interest and developmental needs.

Qualifications and Skills:

• High School Diploma or GED
• 18 years of age or older.
• Some child care experience

Employment Requirements:

• Successful completion of a portable background check (PBC) and clearance through the Department of Children Youth and Families prior to working in program.
• Participation in Washington’s State Training and Registry System (STARS) program required.
• Valid CPR/First Aid certification including child/infant with a hands on skill session in-person class prior to working in program.
• Valid Washington (Clark County) Food Handler’s Card required prior to working in program.
• Negative TB test completed within the previous twelve months prior to working in program. (We take care of scheduling this during your onboarding.)
• Initial health exam completed by medical provider showing you are free from communicable diseases. (We take care of scheduling this during your onboarding.)
• Documentation showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR), either vaccination records or results of a Titer test prior to working in program.
• Completion of HIV/Blood Borne Pathogens training prior to working in program.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate child centered curriculum, posted lesson plans and class schedules.
• Establish and maintain positive communication using collaborative methods to problem solve and interact with families, children, and staff.
• Maintain a positive, flexible, and professional attitude while working to meet the needs of the individual child.
• Supervise, interact, and play with children during assigned times of responsibilities.
• Plan and set up the environment of the room with well-defined interest areas. Set up toys and materials so that they are accessible to children.
• Follow established plans to meet the needs of the individual children with concerns for interests, disabilities, special talents, cultural background and individual styles.
• Support and follow the guidance techniques posted in the classroom.
• Lift children onto play equipment, changing table, and/or to hold or place on lap.
• Assist with toileting, diapering, and hygiene needs of the children.
• Help prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks following USDA guidelines (including meal counts and service procedures).
• Clean up after food preparation and after serving breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Provide general housekeeping tasks such as sweeping, laundering, and picking up toys and materials used in projects.
• Maintain a safe, orderly, clean and healthy center environment, including administering first aid and handling emergencies.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate regularly in staff meetings, in-service programs, and workshops. This may require the ability to work occasional nights and weekends.
• Assist with child assessments and conducting child-center observations as required throughout the program year.
• Follow the direction of the Center Director.
• Float through other center classrooms to provide lunches, breaks and support for other teaching staff. Includes supporting other centers in SW Washington.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical/Strength Requirements:

• Regular attendance during scheduled work hours.
• Requires the ability to move or traverse about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, center activities, etc.
• Moderate or frequent exposure to loud noises, outside weather elements, and temperature changes.
• Lifting requirements include the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects including, the human body.
• Job involves sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and/or pulling. Position involves physical mobility with or without reasonable accommodation to perform essential functions of the job.

SELF is an Equal Opportunity Employer