Preschool Teacher Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Summary

The Teacher Assistant plays a crucial role in the success of the classroom. This position involves assisting teachers in planning and implementing safe, healthy, and high-quality learning experiences for children aged 3 to 5 years old, in collaboration with families.

We have over 65 classrooms across El Paso County, and staff assignments depend on the classroom needs and staff qualifications.

Our pay increases with your level of education, and we provide tuition assistance to support your educational goals. This is a 10-month position (typically August - May), and staff can apply for unemployment benefits during the summer.

We enroll a maximum of 16 children per classroom , and have 3 staff members assigned to each room. Our classrooms have many built-in supports such as behavioral health, nurses, and coaching.

We have over 65 classrooms throughout El Paso County, and staff assignments are based on the needs of the classroom and the qualifications of the staff member.

We offer competitive pay that increases with your level of education, and we also offer tuition assistance to help you further your education.

If you are passionate about working with infants and toddlers and want to make a difference in their lives, we encourage you to apply for this position.

Teacher Assistant Pay Scale :

• A High School Diploma / Equivalent and relative experience - $17.48 / hour
• Preschool CDA or Level II Credential - $19.18 / hour
• Colorado Director Qualification / PDIS Level 3 Credential - $20.15 / hour
• Colorado Director Qualification / PDIS Level 3 and 12 ECE credit hours - $21.15 / hour
• Associate degree in ECE or Related Field (AA + 24 credit hours in ECE) - $22.20 / hour

Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Assists lead teacher with duties as delegated and accepts supervision.
• Maintains classroom routine and safety protocols in the lead teacher's absence as directed by CD Supervisor and as based upon educational and experience level.
• Fully participates in the planning and implementation of appropriate children’s learning activities to enhance skill development in all domains of learning.
• Ensures that the classroom environment (including outdoors) is clean, safe and appropriate, in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, DHS Licensing, Health and Safety requirements, USDA food and sanitization requirements and CPCD’s policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates acceptance of all children (and their families) including those with special needs, behavioral challenges, diversity of culture, race, ethnicity and parental choices.
• Adheres to CPCD’s policy of confidentiality.
• Assists children with child safety restraints to ensure all straps are securely connected and adjusted and ensures that bus rules are followed.
• Follows all safety guidelines and curriculum while riding the bus, reports behavior challenges to the classroom teacher and collaborates with TT on solution strategies.
• Demonstrates positive attitude and uses common sense. Demonstrates sense of humor, flexibility and adaptability.
• Maintains interaction with children, families, staff and community partners that is warm, sensitive, honest, natural, calm, respectful, and appropriate.
• Presents self as a professional in appearance, speech, attitude, values and support of CPCD’s mission at all times.
• Maintains all required credentials, education requirements, and training per CPCD policies.

OTHER DUTIES / RESPONSIBLITIES

Other duties as assigned by the lead teacher / agency

Requirements

Required :

• CDA or the Early Childhood Professional Level II credential through the State of Colorado’s Professional Development Information System (PDIS), or plan to obtain within two years of hire.
• Must obtain First Aid, CPR, and medication administration certification within 90-days of employment and maintain as required.
• Must be able to lift / carry / manipulate up to 40 pounds.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to perform functions of the job including being able to go to another location during the workday if necessary.
• Must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screen and TB screening. In accordance with the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Must have access to reliable transportation and if using a personal vehicle must maintain minimum liability insurance as determined by the State of Colorado

CPCD is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. CPCD considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.

Please Note : The successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination, TB screen, back-ground screen and drug test (including marijuana) is required. EOE

Nice To Haves

Preferred :

• At least one year of successful work experience with children birth to age three and / or to age five.
• Bilingual in English / Spanish.

Benefits

Additional Benefits for Eligible Employees (25+ hours per week) :

CPCD offers paid vacation time, paid sick time, and paid holidays / Breaks.

• Paid Holidays include Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Presidents Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Paid Breaks include 1-week for Spring Break (March), 1-week for Fall Break (November), and 2- weeks for Winter Break (end of December / beginning of January).

Eligible employees receive a competitive benefits package including

Access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, Aflac supplemental insurance, and voluntary life insurance.

CPCD also pays for Basic Life, Long Term Disability, and ADD insurance at no cost to you.

Our 401(k) program offers traditional and Roth enrollment options with automatic enrollment in our profit-sharing after 1-year of employment.

Tuition Assistance is available after 60 days of employment

• $4,000 per year for Early Childhood Education Associates / Bachelor ’s Degrees.
• $2,500 per year for other degrees related to employment at CPCD.
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Employee Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Program provides 6 FREE sessions with a counselor or therapist per year
• Full well-being program to encourage and promote your well-being in the workplace, including 2 hours of paid time per month for wellness activities.
6 days ago