ELP- Teacher Assistant/Health Advocate- SPSCC

Best to apply be 12/27/2025. Job open until filled.

This job is a union represented (Federation of Head Start Employees), non exempt position; 180 days per year, 8 hours per day. The position is located at South Puget Sound Community College center in Thurston County. The salary range includes the potential of a .70 cent bilingual differential as determined by program need.

Benefits include Medical/Dental/Vision, Life/AD&D insurance, FSA/DCAP, LTD insurance, Retirement/DCP, EAP, Sick/Personal Leave and Holiday Pay.

Required attachments: Cover Letter, Resume, and Transcripts.

Please see the job description below for additional Minimum Job Qualifications and a list of Essential Functions.

ELP Teacher Assistant/Health Advocate

Purpose Statement

The job of ELP Teacher Assistant/Health Advocate is done for the purpose of:

• Acting as a support and resource to families
• Assisting the teacher with classroom planning and management
• Attending home visits with teacher, as requested
• Providing health and nutritional information and education materials to parents
• Performing and documenting health screenings and providing referrals as needed
• Preparing, tracking and maintaining detailed health information for children
• Encouraging parent involvement in the program
• Documenting child progress/activities/outcomes
• Maintaining a safe classroom environment both physically and emotionally

Position Characteristics

This is a union represented position (Federation of Head Start Employees) and is distinguished from similar jobs per the essential functions and educational requirements listed below.

Reports to: ELP Center Director

Essential Functions

Assists families with basic health needs for the purpose of providing resources to the family as may be required.

Assists in enrolling families (e.g. reviews health information with family, determining child's health status, sharing immunization information, nutritional assessment, family needs assessment, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining and assembling children's health files and assisting families with basic health care.

Assists in the planning and implementation of classroom activities for the purpose of creating developmentally appropriate lesson plans to meet individual and group needs.

Assists in the instruction of children and parents (e.g. nutrition, self-care, social, motor skills, language skills, etc.) for the purpose of optimizing development of each child and helping to enhance parenting skills.

Assists the teacher in the assessment of each child's developmental level for the purpose of documenting progress and working with the teacher to support each child's development.

Assumes the lead role in the classroom and planning when the teacher is not present for the purpose of ensuring a conducive learning environment.

Attends community planning meetings when classroom teacher is unable to attend for the purpose of gathering and/or conveying information.

Attends various educational workshops, seminars, in-services on-going evaluation process, reviewing the position plan, etc. for the purpose of maintaining their professional knowledge.

Communicates with health providers for the purpose of completing children's health records and/or providing for their safety.

Conducts home visits with assigned families as per program requirements (e.g. reviewing status of medical and dental exams, etc.) for the purpose of sharing information and resources with the family.

Contributes to the team for the purpose of collaborating, defining and clarifying roles and expectations with coworkers and cooperating with other program staff to maintain quality.

Distributes supplies for the purpose of filling requests for first aid, dental and nutritional materials.

Implements lesson plans and assists staff for the purpose of helping to enrich and maintain a safe environment both physically as well as emotionally and working with parent(s) to identify child's focus areas and documenting progress.

Investigates new health resources in the community for the purpose of sharing information and resources with staff and family.

Maintains a variety of manual and electronic files and/or records (e.g. student files, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing reliable information, and complying with District, State and Federal requirements.

Monitors children's activities (e.g. classroom, snacks/lunch, playground, bus runs, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of providing for the safety and welfare of children.

Participates in various on site and off site work related program activities (e.g. family staffing, behavior plans, staff training, planning, communication and evaluation activities, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information related to program plans.

Performs health screens (e.g. vision, hearing, height/weight, strabismus, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that children who have not been fully screened by a health care provider are screened and/or referred as required.

Prepares health records for the purpose of documenting child's health history and conveying information as may be required.

Prepares records (e.g. classroom activities, individual child observations, program records, etc.) for the purpose of documenting family and child activities as described in the work plan.

Tracks ongoing detailed health information on children for the purpose of ensuring services are delivered in conformance with program standards.

Travels off site for the purpose of performing tasks necessary to support center and/or program operations.

Marginal Functions

Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly; and understand multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development; age appropriate activities; and safety practices and procedures.

Abilities

ABILITY is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with others; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Some problem solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with a variety of groups; adapting to changing work priorities; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; meeting deadlines and schedules; and working with constant interruptions.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include working under direct supervision using standardized routines, providing information and/or advising others, and operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to affect the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 40% sitting, 20% walking, and 40% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Required Qualifications

Experience

Job related experience is required.

Education (Minimum)

High school diploma or equivalent.

Equivalency

Must have ONE of the following:

• A CDA credential; OR
• Be enrolled in a program leading to an associate or bachelor degree in Early Childhood; OR
• Enrolled in a CDA program to be completed in 2 years; OR
• An Initial ECE Certification awarded by a WA state community college; OR
• Equivalent to an Initial ECE Certification by another state

Required Testing, Certificates, and Licenses

Required Testing

• Physical exam within 6 weeks of hire and periodic exams every 4 years

Certificates and Licenses

• First Aid/CPR certificate within 60 days of hire
• Food Handlers certificate within 30 days of hire

Clearances

• Criminal Justice and DEL Fingerprint/Background Clearance
• WA State Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Release
• MMR Clearance
• TB Clearance

Continuing Education/Training

• Willingness and ability to or currently enrolled in a course to obtain a CDA or in a degree program leading to an AA in Early Childhood
• Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses