Substitute Preschool Teacher Assistant - Head Start

OUR MISSION

MWVCAA invests in people and their futures to reduce the impacts of poverty. Our Vision:
We envision a just future, where our communities are empowered to reach positive outcomes and everyone is respected for their infinite worth.

The Substitute Teacher Assistant works with Teachers and Classroom Aides to provide support in one or more of the following program areas: education, food service, and cleaning.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• High School Diploma or GED; and
  • Level 1: Must obtain Child Development Associate (CDA) or Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college within two years from date of hire to maintain employment in the Program.
  • Level 2: Child Development Associate (CDA) or Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college.
• Six months of experience working in a Head Start classroom or one year of experience working with preschool children in a classroom/childcare setting.

• Driver qualification status is not required for this position.
• Successful registration with the Central Background Registry of the Child Care Division.
• CPR/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Food Handlers Card or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment physical examination, renewable every two years.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.

• Demonstrates tact, diplomacy, and empathy when communicating with clients, staff and community partners.
• Demonstrated proficiencies with Microsoft Office (including Outlook), videoconferencing platforms, and web tools.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills, in both oral and written form.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

• Ensures safety in the classroom at all times, with appropriate supervision of children, utilizing the transition and counting form and procedure.
• Ensures children are released only to parent/guardians or authorized adults.
• Supports teacher in providing for the development of children's cognitive, physical, social-emotional and language skills through implementation of curriculum, lesson planning and individualization.
• Conducts and records child observations to utilize in setting goals.
• Utilizes lesson plans and a variety of curriculum to address children's individual goals, taking into account each child's characteristics, strengths, and needs.
• Is positive when working with children talking playing, laughing and singing.
• Maintains an acceptable and positive level of guidance in individual and group situations, reacting to emergency situations with competence and a calm attitude.
• Prepares materials, activities, and projects for class.

There are no supervisory duties in this position.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to remain calm and quickly evacuate children from the classroom in an emergency.
• Requires basic planning and problem-solving with guidance from a supervisor.

• Mostly indoor classroom and bus riding environment.
• Frequent outdoor supervision of children and monitoring pick up/drop off.
• Occasional exposure to cleaning chemicals, creative substances such as paints.
• Occasional exposure to body fluids/biohazards (such as saliva, vomit and urine).

Enrollment in the Central Background Registry is beneficial if you are even considering working with children in the State of Oregon, since it will be required before you can start a position. Enrollment is free and it is recommended that you start now as the process can take time. Start enrollment online at:

MWVCAA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, veterans, and people with disabilities or any other protected category. We welcome all people to join us in achieving our Mission. If you require any assistance in the application process, or reasonable accommodations to perform the essential duties of the position, please notify a member of our team at .

This is a partial list of essential duties and responsibilities. To review the full job description, download below.

If you need ADA accommodations to apply for MWVCAA job openings, please contact Human Resources at HR or call  to ask for a HR Team Member.