2026-2027 Childcare Specialist - Birth to 5 years (Educational Assistant)(TEMP)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Educational Assistant – Childcare Specialist works cooperatively with supervisor, licensed staff, colleagues, and parents to implement a high-quality program of early learning activities for children in a formal setting.

Because of the collaborative nature of this position, maturity and an ability to relate well with both children and adults is important. Applicants must also have experience with working in a diverse childcare setting, knowledge of trauma-informed care, and working with students with disabilities. Applicants will have strong collaboration skills and ability to be flexible and a team-player.

The positions are located within the Childhood Development Center at Gresham-High School.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience Required: Prior job-related experience, paid or volunteer, with children ages birth to 5 years in a formal setting.
• Education Required: High School diploma or equivalent.
• Education Preferred: A Child Development Associate's Degree (CDA), Early Childhood Education AA degree, or completion of continuing education courses. Two years of post-secondary education (72 college quarter hours or more), an Associate's or higher degree, or an Instructional Assistant Certification from an Oregon community college.
• Educational Equivalents: Equivalent job experience in formal child care settings will also be considered.
• Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, and/or Testing Required: Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance, Child Care Division Criminal Background Check, Food Handler's Card, and First Aid and CPR Cards.

Knowledge

• Of principles of child development.
• Instructional practices.

Skill

• In operation of basic computer applications, (e.g. email, word processing, etc.).
• Communicating effectively in English, both verbally and in writing (e.g. correct spelling, grammar and punctuation).

Essential Job Functions

• Maintains a professional and collaborative attitude at all times.
• Treats all children with dignity and respect with developmentally appropriate guidance techniques.
• Attends all staff meetings and recommended training programs.
• Affords support to parenting teens in a supportive and inclusive manner while their child is at the center.
• Assists in the development and implementation of an educational plan for each child.
• Performs tasks associated with toileting, including diapering and toilet training when appropriate as well as any personal care needs of children being served including physical movement and/or lifting of students.
• Recognizes an escalating/emergency situation, calls for help, and defuses/assists with the situation until help arrives.
• Evaluates situations to take appropriate action and/or directs the situation to the appropriate personnel for resolution.

Other Job Functions

• Assists with taking daily attendance and monitoring records.
• Helps with general housekeeping tasks and keeps storage areas neat and orderly.
• Performs other tasks as assigned within scope of job description and range.
• Carries out tasks according to Gresham High School Child Development Center and Early Head Start procedures and routines.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to: sit, stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.
• talk and hear conversations in a potentially noisy environment.
• use precise control of fingers and hand movement, often in a repetitive motion such as keyboarding.
• reach for and handle objects.
• use close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• lift and carry young children.

Workplace Expectations

• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding information relating to staff, students and parents.
• Dress in a professional and appropriate manner for the assignment and the work setting.
• Exercise prudent judgment.
• Follow all District policies and work procedures.
• Utilize the District's electronic systems and applications related to the position.
• Participate in required meetings and trainings related to the position.
• Successfully complete required trainings for the position.
• Demonstrate professionalism when working and communicating verbally and nonverbally with students, parents, and school personnel from diverse cultures and/or backgrounds.
• If employee is bilingual, interpretation, translating documents, and/or communicating orally in the second language may be requested.
• Cultivate and model a respectful working and learning environment.