Infant Teacher; short-term

Job Title

Temporary Full-Time Infant Teacher

$30/hour
This is a temporary, full-time role (40 hrs/week) for a duration of approximately 8 weeks beginning in March 2026.

Portland Jewish Academy's Preschool program supports the development of young children in a vibrant, secure, inquiry-based environment. We promote confidence, curiosity, awareness, exploration, problem solving, and social growth.

It is our conviction that children are capable and independent, and this is reflected across all developmental domains of learning. Children are encouraged to make choices, practice individual decision‑making, and develop a sense of themselves as capable and as self‑advocates. Children are viewed as thinkers, reflecting on their world, and as empathetic individuals who care for and engage with their peers and contribute to the community.

It is because of our educators that our program thrives.

The Infant/Early Toddler Teacher is responsible for the direct care and supervision of infant children in the PJA Early Childhood Education Program. This position is responsible for maintaining a consistently safe and nurturing environment, and for providing developmentally appropriate activities that stimulate participants’ exploration of the world around them.

• Establish and maintain a safe learning environment that is responsive to the social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development of children in assigned classrooms. Plan each day’s activities to ensure a well-balanced program that includes individual and group play, and active and quiet time.
• Provide direct personal care to children, including changing diapers, supervising toileting, and preparing children to go home with parents. Supervise naps. Serve meals in accordance with proper hygiene standards; maintain a current food handler’s card. Maintain cleanliness of the childcare room.
• Observe and evaluate children over the course of the day; keep parents informed of daily issues and progress. Maintain confidentiality.
• Ensure that all associated records are complete and properly maintained. Compile and submit required written reports. Attend and participate in required staff trainings and meetings; participate in special programs as required.
• Lead and participate in play activities; monitor children to ensure safe play. Model appropriate problem‑solving behavior. Implement discipline and safety measures as necessary.

Any combination of experience and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying. This would typically include:

• One year of experience working with infants in a comparable state certified group child care program; AND
• High School Diploma or GED; AND
• Current First Aid, CPR, Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect, and Food Handler’s certifications; AND
• Enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry.

• Knowledge of early child development.
• Knowledge of appropriate practice and age‑appropriate activities for assigned age group.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate behavior management techniques.

• Ability to communicate effectively with children at their individual developmental levels.
• Ability to effectively execute activities.
• Ability to evaluate and record progress.
• Ability to organize and execute work independently.
• Ability to supervise and manage groups of varying sizes.
• Ability to meet and deal courteously and effectively with other employees, parents, and the public.
• Ability to remain calm and use good judgment during confrontational or high‑pressure situations that may arise.
• Ability to work assigned schedules.

Work is performed in an environment that is quite noisy and busy, and may include exposure to biological conditions including body fluids and waste, germs, and childhood illnesses. Physical requirements include lifting children or heavy items (up to 50 pounds unassisted), bending, stooping, reaching, standing, climbing and walking. Work requires vision and hearing within normal ranges. Work requires speaking ability sufficient to communicate effectively with students.

PJA is an Equal Opportunity…