HS Classroom Aide

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 120 years, offering a safety net to ensure that our community has the support they need to thrive.

About the role

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.

This position aids the teaching team in fostering a positive classroom climate through the utilization of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) strategies to support effective classroom management, while supporting in the execution of Creative Curriculum activities, 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.

Responsibilities

• Support and uphold a positive classroom climate.
• Supervise all students actively to ensure their mental, physical, and emotional safety.
• Assist in the organization of classroom supplies and learning materials for accessibility and engagement.
• Support in the implementation of a consistent routine.
• Support exploration, problem-solving, and positive socialization through thoughtful engagement.
• Engage actively in child-led play and meaningful conversations to support individual development.
• Leverage mealtimes and outdoor activities to reinforce positive social skills and healthy habits.
• Tend to daily tasks such as setup, cleanup, diaper changes, and potty training according to protocols.
• Adhere to positive behavior management and safety procedures.

Education Services Development, Implementation, and Assessment

• Collaborate with the teaching team in the development of weekly lesson plans.
• Support identified individualized learning goals through thoughtful interactions.
• Regularly communicate with families regarding child progress, classroom updates, and celebrations.
• 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 all programmatic all-staff meetings and trainings and Neighborhood House all-staff meetings when able.
• Attend and actively participate in required trainings and appropriate professional development opportunities.
• Participate in program and agency committees when available.
• Participate in the program’s annual self-assessment as required.
• Assist in the maintenance and cleaning of workspace and communal areas, as needed, and/or assigned.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Experience working directly with parents preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and handle sensitive information.
• Capacity to work independently and within a team, demonstrating problem-solving skills.
• Physical ability to meet the demands of the role, including lifting up to 50 pounds.

Certificates, Licenses, and Credentials

• Successful registration with the Oregon Central Background Registry is mandatory prior to commencing employment.
• Acquisition of an Oregon Registry Online account within 30 days from the date of hire.
• Possession of valid First Aid and CPR certification is mandatory. If not already certified, candidates must obtain certification within 30 days from the date of hire.
• Acquisition of a Food Handler's card is required within 30 days from the date of hire.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to effectively communicate with colleagues, children, and families.
• Frequently sit or stand for extended periods while utilizing a computer monitor and keyboard.
• Manual dexterity to handle or feel objects and equipment.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, kneel, or crouch as part of daily duties.
• Occasional to frequent lifting and/or moving of up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Environmental Working Conditions

The employee is occasionally exposed to high noise levels typical of a classroom environment.

Benefits

• 26 days of PTO (increases with tenure) per year
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Kaiser health, vision, and dental insurance with low employee premiums
• 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

Pay

Hourly Rate: $19.13

Schedule

35 hours per week (benefits eligible), part-year position with an unpaid 9-week summer break.