Teacher Assistant - Paid Work Experience Opportunity

READY TO LAUNCH YOUR CAREER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION?

The PACE Employment Social Enterprise (ESE) Program offers a paid, hands-on work experience opportunity for WIOA-eligible individuals seeking to enter the early childhood education field. Participants are placed in Head Start and other licensed early childhood centers serving children ages 18 months to 5 years. This is a great opportunity for those looking to jumpstart their career in early childhood education while making a difference in the community! See below on how to apply. ***Little to no prior experience in early childhood education is required.***

ABOUT PACE

Founded in 1975, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE) is a local community nonprofit dedicated to serving the region's diverse communities. What started as job training for the Asian Pacific Islander communities has grown into a full-service organization serving a diverse community of 40,000 people annually across programs including: Employment, Business Development, Early Childhood Education (Head Start) Affordable Housing, Weatherization and Energy Conservation Programs. With 350 staff, PACE is recognized as a leader in addressing problems of poverty and economic inequity in ethnic minority communities and has a reputation of being responsive to community needs. PACE is known for creating innovative solutions to the myriad of challenges faced by our clients. Learn more at https://pacela.org/

AT A GLANCE

Position: Teacher Assistant (ESE Program) – Paid Work Experience (PWE)

Program: Employment Social Enterprise (ESE) – Head Start / ECE Division

Funding: WIOA Title I

Placement Sites: Licensed Early Childhood Education Centers & Head Start Programs

Ages Served: 18 Months to 5 Years

Hours: Up to 150 Hours of Supervised Paid Work Experience

Stipend: $20.00 per hour. This position is not eligible for benefits.

Reports to: Site Supervisor / Lead Teacher

Deadline: Open until filled

WHAT WILL YOU GAIN?

PACE Employment Social Enterprise (ESE) Program participants will receive:

• Paid, supervised work experience in a real Head Start classroom
• Exposure to Head Start curriculum, child development best practices, and family engagement
• Mentorship from experienced Lead Teachers and Site Supervisors
• Up to 150 hours of structured Paid Work Experience (PWE)
• A foundation for pursuing ECE credentials, permits, and career advancement
• Potential employment opportunities for participants who demonstrate strong performance and commitment

This is an entry-level opportunity – little to no prior experience in early childhood education is required. This program is designed to help you build the skills and experience needed to launch your Early Childhood Education (ECE) career.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Under the direct supervision of classroom teaching staff, the Teacher Assistant (ESE Program) will:

• Assist teachers in the instruction and care of preschool children (ages 18 months – 5 years)
• Support children’s social, physical, cognitive, and emotional development
• Help maintain a healthy, safe, and nurturing classroom environment
• Assist with lesson plan implementation aligned with Head Start Performance Standards
• Support setup and takedown of indoor and outdoor learning environments
• Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate support to children and families
• Adhere to all host agency policies, procedures, and Head Start compliance requirements
• Participate in scheduled PWE check-ins, progress reviews, and required training sessions

Note: Participants are always under direct, on-site supervision of a Lead Teacher or Site Supervisor. Participants are never left alone with children.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

All participants must meet and satisfactorily pass the following prior to placement:

Background Clearances

• Sex Offender Registry Check
• Child Abuse and Neglect State Registry Check
• State/Tribal Criminal History Check (fingerprints required)
• FBI Criminal History Check (fingerprints required)

Health & Medical

• TB Test within the past 6 months prior to placement start
• Health Screening (LIC 503) within one year prior to start
• Proof of immunizations: Measles, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), and Influenza
• COVID-19 vaccination (exemption requests handled separately)
• Adult & Pediatric CPR/First Aid Certification – strongly desired

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

This program is open to individuals who:

• Are participants and currently enrolled in the PACE ESE Program (required)
• Have been unemployed for more than 6 months
• Are an English Learner or multilingual speaker – all language backgrounds are welcome
• Are seeking to enter the early childhood education field for the first time
• Have completed at least 6 ECE units or currently enrolled to obtain ECE units
• Are currently pursuing or planning to pursue an ECE credential or permit
• Are passionate about working with young children ages 18 months to 5 years
• Have strong interpersonal skills, a nurturing approach, and a team-player attitude

HOW TO APPLY

To be a participant in the PACE ESE Program, interested individuals MUST click on link to complete the ESE program questionnaire. You will be contacted by the program coordinator for further details. This is a requirement.

LINK: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/xbqsMY06T5

ESE Program Eligibility:

• Must be unemployed for at least 6 months or an English Language Learner
• Minimum 6 college credits in Early Childhood Education (12 credits preferred)
• Must be available to work at least 30 hours per week, Monday–Friday
• Willing to travel up to 15 miles
• Must be 18 years or older
• Social Security Card
• Valid CA ID/Driver’s License OR Valid U.S. Passport
• Valid Permanent Resident Card OR Valid Employment Authorization (if not U.S. citizen)
• Selective Service Registration (Males only born on/after 01/01/60)
• Additional documents may be requested depending on program requirements
• Must WIOA Title I eligible and enrolled in the PACE ESE Program prior to applying for this position.