Early Childhood Assistant Pool: Spring and Fall 2026

About the role

This position supports efficient classroom operations to promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of Head Start children. It involves classroom support, interacting with children and family members, and assisting with various activities.

Responsibilities

• Gather and prepare materials for classroom use.
• Follow a consistent schedule including small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, two meals, and effective transitions between activities.
• Maintain a developmentally appropriate and safe environment.
• Support an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
• Work with and guide children in a supportive, positive, and consistent manner.
• Provide supervision for small group activities.
• Work with individual or small groups of children.
• Perform classroom and center cleaning tasks as needed and as directed.
• Interact with children and family members to nurture positive relationships and provide support in a professional manner.
• Monitor and assist with meals, nap time, clean-up, and hygienic care (toileting, handwashing, etc.).
• Create and maintain a safe, healthy, culturally appropriate, emotionally secure learning environment.
• Encourage and participate in activities that foster an environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and fosters a sense of belonging for both students, families and co-workers.
• Monitor playground activities to ensure compliance with safety.
• Attend and participate in program meetings as requested by supervisor.
• Complete all areas of responsibility in compliance with program code of conduct and confidentiality policies.
• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner.
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values and policies in the performance of daily duties.
• May be asked to assist in providing substitute lead teacher coverage throughout the center in alignment with program requirements and children ratios or other tasks as assigned by the lead teacher or director.

Requirements

• A minimum of twenty semester hours (thirty quarter hours) of college courses in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Special Education; OR a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; OR one year of full-time experience in a certified day care center or comparable child care program.
• Willingness to participate in on-the-job training.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; problem-solving skills.
• Organizational skills including a demonstrated ability to do detailed work, prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents, staff and public.
• Sensitivity to individual and group needs.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a teaching team and follow directions.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in the Child Care Divisions Central Background Registry upon hire.
• OCC approved health and safety training (within 30 days of hire date).
• A demonstrable ability to implement a culturally appropriate learning environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a manner that shows respect and inclusivity for all co-workers and internal customers.
• Must have or obtain Blood Borne Pathogen training and infant/child First Aid/CPR certification within 90 days of hire.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
• Demonstration of self-initiative.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Experience working with 3–5-year-old children and/or in a preschool.
• Knowledge of Head Start.
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of Oregon licensing requirements and rules regulating childcare centers.
• Teaching experience in early childhood settings.
• Knowledge of community resources in support of families, i.e. health, nutrition, educational, medical, etc.
• Training and experience with multicultural populations.
• Demonstrated ability to design and/or implement trauma-informed care.

Pay

• Hourly Pay Period: 16th - 15th of the following month
• Pay Date: Last working day of the month
• Min Salary: $17.53
• Max Salary: $22.17