Preschool Education Assistant

Childswork Learning Center is growing, and we are excited to announce multiple openings across our three Preschool for All (Multnomah County) campuses:

• Cherry Blossom — 10525 SE Cherry Blossom Dr
• Tabor — 6161 SE Stark St
• Hosford-Abernethy (NEW location!) — 1920 SE 28th Ave, near SE 28th & Hawthorne

We are seeking passionate, dedicated early childhood professionals to join our stable, mission‑driven organization. Learn more about us at https://www.childswork.org/employment-opportunities

FLSA & PAY STATUS

Current FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Current Pay Status: Hourly (see pay schedule)

Full time [30-40 hours a week]

Part Time [25 hrs a week]

Work Location: Onsite

About Us

We are a Reggio-inspired, constructivist early childhood center. Our non-profit school is located at three beautiful campuses in Southeast Portland, Oregon. Since 1984, our early childhood education center has served a diverse population of children and families, focusing on the development of the whole child with respect and compassion.

Our programs are rooted in developmentally appropriate practice, emergent constructivist pedagogy, and child‑initiated environments that support confident, capable, and creative learners. We believe each young child is inherently curious and able to take an active role in their learning.

As we continue to grow—including our expansion through Multnomah County’s Preschool for All initiative—we are seeking experienced educational leaders to help support our staff, children, and families across three campuses.

Play is a child’s work. Play is a child’s response to life. It is the way children discover themselves and the world around them.

Position Summary:

Education Assistants provide direct assistance and support to PreK students (ages 3-5), their families, the classroom team, inclusion specialists, program staff, and school community. They are responsible for maintaining a positive classroom environment, developing positive adult child and peer interactions, supporting Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP), MECP or behavioral plans, and facilitating child-centered, developmentally appropriate, and playful learning experiences for young children.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Work in the program under the guidance and instruction of Lead Teachers
• Assist in ensuring the safety of all the children
• Assist Lead Teacher with preparing activities
• Assist in ensuring the school complies with the DELC licensing guidelines
• Engage with children
• Engage with families, volunteers, interns, classroom support personnel, and counselors
• Attend staff meetings and school-related events
• May be required to assist in daily lessons when asked
• Keep the classroom, and storage areas, neat, clean, and orderly
• Maintain campus cleaning duties as outlined in policy and expectations
• Provide break and meal periods for lead teachers
• In the absence of the Lead Teacher responsible to guide and direct classroom support, counselors, volunteers and interns
• May be required to assist in other classrooms to maintain classroom ratios, operational needs, or other licensing requirements
• Supports children’s physical well-being and safety; models positive health and hygiene habits
• Performs daily responsibilities related to nutrition and meal service preparation, in classroom family style meal delivery, and individual student meal and snack support
• Assist Food Program with meal preparation, delivery and dishwashing, when asked or scheduled

Training, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Bias Commitment:

• Attend 15 hours of documented training per year (8 hours in child development).
• Attend staff meetings, in-service training, and professional growth.
• Complete all work using a Racial Equity and Anti-bias lens as outlined in school policies
• Participate in staff development, in-service trainings related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in early childhood education
• Model appropriate behaviors

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current enrollment in the Oregon Criminal Registry
• Current Food Handler's card (within the first 30 days of employment)
• Current First Aid and CPR cards (within the first 90 days of employment)
• Participate yearly in at least 15 hours of training or education related to child development or early childhood education
• Education:
• Associate’s degree or higher. OR
• The two (2) years of college completed (72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits earned)

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrate standards of moral character and behavior as required of teachers (e.g., to serve as an effective role model for students)
• Ability to work with children and families from a low-income background and with who English is a second language
• Ideal candidate will have a strong literacy background
• Awareness of gender and equity issues

Childswork provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender expression and identification, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, age, amnesty, or status as covered veteran or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws. QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of color) and/or those with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

BENEFITS:

There is a 30-day waiting period, then the employee enrolls in benefits on the first of the month following the 30-day waiting period.

• 50% Employer-paid medical (for employees)
• 100% Employer paid vision and dental insurance (for employees)
• Retirement plan 403b with employer contribution
• 2 weeks PTO- available after 90 days
• Bereavement and Sick leave
• 11 paid holidays

WORKING CONDITIONS

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Persons with certain disabilities may be capable of performing the essential duties of this class with or without reasonable accommodation, depending on the nature of the disability.

Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with extensive student, parent and public contact and frequent interruptions.

Hazards: Potential conflict situations.

Physical Demands: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; kneeling, bending at the waist, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying children, office equipment, supplies and materials weighing up to 50 pounds; repetitive hand movement and fine coordination to use a computer keyboard; hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone; seeing to read, prepare and assure the accuracy of documents.

Pay Range

Pay is associated with years of direct experience teaching preschool, and steps in the Oregon Registry, active CBR, and reference checks. The range for this position is $23.16-$24.93. This is an hourly non-exempt position that requires 30-40 hours per week, including meetings, professional development trainings, and special events including some weekend work.

Childswork provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender expression and identification, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, age, amnesty, or status as covered veteran or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws. QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of color) and/or those with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Pay: $23.16 - $24.93 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Central Background Registry (CBR) (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $25