Teacher Assistant- Baker Early Learning Center Head Start

Full-Time Teacher Assistant – Baker Early Learning Center Head Start

This position is for the  school year. The Teacher Assistant will help provide a learning environment and experiences appropriate to the needs of preschool children, supporting the teacher in delivering high‑quality, safe learning experiences across all developmental domains for children ages 3 to 5 in a full‑day program. Responsibilities include collecting ongoing child observations and assessments, implementing activities to support individual child goals, fostering positive connections with students and families, encouraging self‑regulation and school readiness strategies, and supporting transitions to kindergarten.

The Assistant will help maintain a sanitary and healthy environment for children, develop good relationships with parents, and provide the support directed by the Teacher and family service staff.

Child Contact Time – Help the Teacher maintain a safe, healthy, and emotionally secure learning environment; implement daily lesson plans and a consistent schedule featuring one‑on‑one time, small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, gross and fine motor activities, skill development, two meals, and smooth transitions between activities; encourage language use, experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice‑making;

contribute to an atmosphere promoting parental involvement; supervise and monitor children at all times.

Written Documentation and Communication – Under the Teacher’s direction, maintain accurate written records, including screening and assessment, special‑education documentation, anecdotal observations, and documents for transition to public schools; maintain open communication within the direct service team, with enrolled families, and with consultants and service providers.

Family Partnerships – Develop working relationships with parents under the Teacher’s direction and the Family and Community Partnership Manager; support family partnership activities as requested; accompany the Teacher on home visits when requested.

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must obtain a CDA of AA in Early Childhood or Child Development within two years of hire.
• Good oral and written communication skills; experience working with children in a calm, gentle manner, and a willingness to learn appropriate classroom techniques and strategies.
• Enrollment in the Oregon Child Care Division Central Background Registry.
• Completion of a background check and fingerprinting through the Oregon Child Care Division Central Background Registry; communicable disease verification from a qualified healthcare provider; documentation of identity verification (passport, driver’s license, official , birth certificate, or Social Security card).
• Within 30 days of hire, obtain Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification and a current Oregon Food Handler’s Card.
• Compliance with federal law: verification of identity and eligibility to work in the United States and completion of the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Eastern Oregon University will not sponsor applicants for employment visas.

• Certified in Early Childhood Education or Child Development (transcripts required if hired).

• Paid holidays (10 days/year) and paid sick time‑off (8 hours/month).
• Individual and Family Healthcare Insurance (95%+ employer‑paid medical, dental, vision).
• Generous Oregon Public Employee Retirement System benefits.
• Employer‑paid life insurance.
• Discounted tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents.
• Discounted athletics facilities membership.