Preschool Substitute Teacher

About the role

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit established in 1976 that serves immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Its mission is to welcome, serve, and empower refugees, immigrants, and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. The Preschool Substitute Teacher will support the wellbeing and development of children in IRCO’s Preschool for All program while following Oregon state licensing guidelines and early childhood best practices.

Responsibilities

• Support the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of students under the guidance of the Preschool teaching team.
• Maintain a welcoming, clean, organized, and safe environment for all children.
• Promote a multilingual/multi-background, family-engaged environment.
• Adhere to all Preschool Promise and Oregon Child Care Center licensing requirements and guidelines.
• Assist children with activities of daily life (e.g., restroom use, feeding, dressing) and support independence and healthy habits.
• Promote health and safety by following cleaning and sanitizing procedures throughout the day and when closing the classroom.
• Observe strict confidentiality with records of children’s health, development, and medication administration per IRCO Preschool Policies and Procedures.
• Establish a professional rapport with each family to provide quality care and friendly service.
• Support the teaching team to complete necessary paperwork, including archiving weekly lesson plans and student/staff attendance.

Requirements

• High level proficiency in written and spoken English; bilingual preferred.
• Registration in the Central Background Registry.
• Completion of required health and safety trainings before working with children.

Education & Experience

• Minimum: High School or GED; less than one year of experience required.
• Preferred: Enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry; some coursework or community-based training in child development and early education theories and practices; at least 6 months of experience working with young children.

Skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge and understanding of immigrant and refugee cultures and local populations.
• Bilingual in English and a second language preferred; experience working in multi-background environments and communicating clearly orally and in writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).
• Compassionate with the ability to adapt to stressful conditions and manage time efficiently.
• Strong intercultural communication skills; ability to communicate positively verbally, in writing, and by phone with varied communities and personality types.
• Punctuality, good attendance, and flexibility to meet changing schedules and program needs.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• In-person classroom setting with daily time outdoors.
• Some physical effort or manual labor such as lifting, carrying, or constant movement.
• Duties are mostly routine and repeated tasks.
• Moderately low level of personal risk; occasionally uncomfortable conditions related to noise, temperature, inside/outside work, or interactions with upset individuals.

Wage

Starting at $21.63 per hour, non-exempt.