Early Head Start Assistant Teacher - Infant Classroom

Compensation: $22.89 per hour

Classroom: Ages 0-3

Status: 40 hours per week, part-year*

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Location: NW Portland - Lincoln High School Teen Parent Center

*This is a part-year position with an unpaid 9-week summer break, which begins on June 15th, 2026.

About Neighborhood House

Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency providing social services for children, families, seniors, and people experiencing food and housing insecurity. We have been engaging in anti-poverty work for a 120 years, offering a safety net to ensure that our community has the support they need to thrive. 

Our Head Start Program

Neighborhood House’s Head Start program provides an opportunity for participants to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that emphasizes parents as primary teachers, a co-operative environment between families, teachers, family advocates, home visitors, and other staff, connection to community resources, and learning through child-led play. Our program is designed to meet the needs of and to provide school readiness skills to all eligible children, including those with special needs and disabilities, so our community’s children and families are stronger for life.  

About this Role

This position is responsible for collaborating with the teaching team to support students’ learning and healthy development, under the direction of the Head Teacher. The Assistant Teacher is responsible for developing and leading various small group activities each day, as well as for leading the classroom when the Head Teacher is on break or out.

This position assists in fostering a positive classroom climate through the utilization of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) strategies to support effective classroom management, while assisting in the effective implementation of Creative Curriculum activities to support students’ learning and healthy development, and adhering to the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care licensing requirements and Head Start Performance Standards, under the leadership of the Head Teacher.

Primary Responsibilities

The Assistant Teacher models positive and appropriate interactions with children and other adults, fostering effective communication with individuals from diverse communities and cultures, including communicating effectively with those whose English language skills are limited. The Assistant Teacher works with the guidance and support from the Head Teacher, assuming a degree of responsibility and autonomy, working both independently and collaboratively in a team setting. 

Responsibilities are generally categorized as follows: 

Classroom Management – 75%

• Assist the lead teacher in establishing and upholding a positive classroom climate utilizing the PBIS framework.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of children while maintaining an environment conducive to learning.
• Supervise all students actively to ensure their mental, physical, and emotional safety.
• Take necessary precautions to safeguard students, staff, and facilities both indoors and outdoors.
• Assist in the organization of classroom supplies and learning materials for accessibility and engagement.
• Assist in implementation of a consistent routine comprising various activities to promote holistic child development.
• Foster exploration, problem-solving, and positive socialization through thoughtful engagement.
• Engage actively in child-led play and meaningful conversations to support individual development.

Development, Implementation, and Assessment of Education Services – 15%

• Collaborate with the lead teacher in developing and executing developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with program goals.
• Assist in the implementation of individualized learning goals within the lesson plan through thoughtful engagement.
• Support developmental screenings and assessments as needed by the teacher.
• Collaborate with families to ensure continuity between home and classroom learning experiences.
• Assist in parent-teacher conferences and home visits as needed.
• Regularly communicate with families regarding child progress, classroom updates, and celebrations.

Other – 10%

• Meet weekly with the classroom team.
• Meet monthly with supervisor for reflective supervision, regular self-assessment of job performance and to track goals and work.
• Attend and actively participate in required trainings and appropriate professional development opportunities.

Required Qualifications:

• Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) Preschool or Infant/Toddler; or documentation of at least step 7 in the Oregon Registry Online (ORO)
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with children
• Must have knowledge of early childhood development and general principles of early childhood education and developmentally appropriate, child-led, multi-cultural, anti-bias curriculum for children under the age of 5
• At time of hire must be enrolled in the Oregon Child Care Division Central Background Registry (CBR) and maintain active enrollment during employment
• Obtain within 30 days of employment: Adult and Pediatric CPR & First Aid Certification and Food Handlers Card (paid by the organization)
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical exam and TB test prior to start date
• Basic-intermediate proficiency of Microsoft Office

Benefits

Neighborhood House offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package including:  

• Generous PTO and 10 paid holidays
• Affordable health insurance with 95% of the cost paid by NH
• 403b retirement plan
• Company-paid life insurance. Voluntary life, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free counseling