Classroom Assistant, Early Childhood Education; U

Classroom Assistant, Early Childhood Education (4127U) #87101 Departmental Overview

Residential and Student Service Programs (RSSP) is a complex “cluster” of student service and residential housing auxiliary services departments with an aggregated operating budget of approximately $145 million and over 2,500 employees.

The Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP) is a department in RSSP that provides early education and child care for 262 infant, toddler, and pre‑school children of students, faculty, staff and community families in five centers across campus and the surrounding community. Our program teaches UC Berkeley’s youngest students in a safe, nurturing, stimulating environment that sparks curiosity and provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

We focus on developmentally appropriate activities and care‑giving interactions that support emotional, social, physical, and cognitive growth and health. Our staff provide UC Berkeley affiliated parents peace of mind – whether they are pursuing academic, research or administrative excellence on campus or in the surrounding community – by ensuring their young children receive research‑based best practice care and education support close by.

The program serves children as young as 3 months old up until they attend kindergarten.

The Classroom Assistant will have the opportunity to help teachers in a wide variety of activities including care‑giving, supervision of children and carrying out curriculum. The position will include but is not limited to assisting in maintenance of a safe and healthy environment. Meal preparations and housekeeping duties will vary upon time of day spent in the classroom. Some staff meetings and trainings with supervising teachers may be required.

The Classroom Assistant will also have the chance to complete administrative tasks and special projects on an as‑needed basis. Positions are available on or near the Berkeley campus as well as University Village in Albany. This is a part‑time position spanning all aspects of the ECEP Center and classroom operation. A regular commitment of at least 3–4 consecutive hours for 3–4 days a week is required.

Under the general direction of the Center Director, this position will assist in the day‑to‑day operations of the ECEP Center as needed. This role will support the professional teaching staff in all areas of responsibility assigned. In general an assistant helps plan, organize, set‑up and clean‑up curriculum activities.

• Interacts with children and classroom staff in a positive manner.
• Assists in providing developmentally appropriate learning experiences and activities for children under the direction and supervision of professional teaching staff.
• Assists in maintenance of the center as a safe, clean, and supportive environment for children.
• Assists in maintaining standards of student behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the center.
• Participates in meetings with supervising teacher to discuss concerns and to plan curriculum.
• Provides care‑giving functions when appropriate, i.e. diapering, napping, feeding, nurturing, etc.
• Develops knowledge of teaching methods, techniques and skills through continuing education.
• Participates in required professional development activities.

• Observes and interacts with children respecting their rights as individuals and shares observations with staff.
• Escalates concerning observations quickly and appropriately to ensure the safety of all children.
• Functions as a Mandated Reporter under California Child Abuse and Neglect Act (CANRA) to report observed/suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults and elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies.

• Participates in in‑service meetings, staff meetings, workshops, and other program activities as requested.

• Verbal and written communication skills in the English language, active listening, and dynamic flexibility in adapting to the needs of clients.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and…