PSELC TEACHER’S ASSISTANTS
VACANCY ANN#: STOI-23-060
POSITION: TEACHER’S ASSISTANTS
DEPARTMENT: 477/TANF – PAULINE STEARNS ELC
LOCATION: WELLPINIT, WA
SUPERVISOR: PAULINE STEARNS ELC PROGRAM MANAGER
STATUS: REGULAR, FULL-TIME
SALARY LEVEL: $15.74 – $21.84 / PER HOUR, DOE/DOQ
OPENING DATE: JULY 11, 2023
CLOSING DATE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED
The Spokane Tribe of Indians is a great place to work! We offer competitive Benefits, matched 401K, & incentives that include generous paid time off! Twenty-two paid holiday/wellness days off per year, plus bi-weekly Personal Time Off (PTO) accrual and cash-out ability!
INTRODUCTION:
The Pauline Stearns Early Learning Center provides a safe and developmentally appropriate environment that is culturally relevant to children and families which reside, work, or attend school on the Spokane Indian Reservation. The primary emphasis of the program is to provide Early Childhood learning in an educational setting. The Early Learning Center promotes competence in our children, parent alliances, community collaboration and proficiency in our staff.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Assist in planning, coordinating, and implementing activities in accordance with developmentally appropriate practice and program philosophy;
• Provide a variety of materials, resources, and activities for children to explore, manipulate and use; both in learning activities and imaginative play which develop questioning, probing, and problem solving appropriate to developmental levels and learning styles of the children;
• Assist in scaffolding language throughout the day and in a variety of activities with children;
• Assist in all classrooms, including infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age;
• Organize, plan, and maintain records of required data concerning children and families;
• Utilize space, materials, and routine as resources for constructing an interesting and enjoyable environment that encourages exploration and learning;
• Provide a safe environment to prevent and reduce injuries of the children; observe and monitor children’s play activities;
• Promote an environment that contributes to good health and prevention of illness; instruct children in health and personal habits; such as eating, resting, and toilet habits;
• Attend to children’s basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers;
• Support children’s emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts;
• Positively discipline children and recommend or initiate other measures to control behavior in accordance with program policy and individualized care plans as determined by classroom teaching teams;
• Actively participate in ALL quality improvement endeavors, including but not limited to meeting Washington State Early Achievers minimum Operating Guidelines;
• Serve as a resource person to parents and families in supporting and enhancing the parental role as the principle influence on their child’s education and development;
• Observe and monitor children’s play activities;
• Read to children and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts, and songs;
• Provide the children opportunities to understand and acquire communication skills through their thoughts and feelings;
• Positively interact with the children assisting them in selecting or participating in developmentally appropriate activities;
• Maintain an open, friendly and informative relationship with children and families; and encourage their participation in the program;
• Engage the children in appropriate language development through conversation and vocalization;
• Support the children’s positive self-image through appropriate conversations and positive guidance techniques including negotiating skills; utilizing positive guidance techniques and recommending or initiating other measures to control behavior in accordance with program policies;
• Optimize all children’s learning opportunities thru play;
• Perform as a team member to assure that productivity outcome measures are achieved;
• Facilitate a friendly and constructive atmosphere in regards to relationships with all co-workers and clientele;
• Attend monthly staff meetings and designated training programs;
• Assist in preparing food for children and serve meals and refreshments to children as required by the Minimum Licensing Requirements and/or the Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements;
• Organize, clean and store toys and materials to ensure order in activity areas;
• Maintain classroom upkeep and sanitization on a regular basis;
• Collaborate with lead staff members in providing education to the children including working with parents;
• Support children’s learning by assisting lead teachers in planning and implementing learning opportunities based on child interest;
• Enforce all Federal, State, and Tribal regulations and policies with regards to the TANF and Child Care Programs;
• Perform all work related duties as required, and assist with other duties in the Early Learning Center as assigned by the Director.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Knowledge of child development;
• Positive interpersonal skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Current computer skills;
• Successful clearance of National Child Abuse Registry and Neglect Data System;
• Be of good character;
• Demonstrate an understanding, ability, personality, emotional stability, and physical health suited to meet the cultural, emotional, mental, physical, and social needs of the children in care;
• Knowledge of American Indian culture, traditions, and language;
• Knowledge in working with low-income children and families;
• Knowledge of program requirements for early childhood/child care services;
• Knowledge of public assistance laws, rules, regulations, service programs and child care programs preferred;
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences in ability, personality and interests, learning and motivation;
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication;
• Ability to maintain positive communication among parents, co-workers, Tribal staff, public and private agencies in serving the customers;
• Ability to handle conflict, complaints and disputes;
• Ability to practice tact, courtesy and discretion;
• Ability to work under stressful conditions;
• Ability to maintain dependable and punctual shiftwork in order to sustain a well-structured environment for the children served by the ELC;
• Ability to work flexible hours, shifts and rotate between various classrooms and kitchen as needed;
• Ability and willingness to change the way children are cared for in congruence with program policy and all quality improvement endeavors.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
• Must be 18 years of age or older, and have a high school diploma or GED.
• Washington State Short State ECED Certificate of Specialization or equivalent OR willingness to obtain within two years of hire date is required. A signed educational agreement will be required.
• Two years (2) experience working with children 6 weeks – 6 years in a group setting is preferred (or a combination of work and education pertaining to Early Childhood Education);
• Initial Basic STARS 30-Hour Training preferred OR ability to complete within six months of hire date and ability to complete 10 hours as required on an annual basis;
• Ability to obtain the following certificates and licenses within the specified time frame:
o Blood Borne Pathogens (1 Month),
o Food Handlers Certification (2 months),
o First Aid and CPR Certification Infant and Child (2 months).
• Ability and willingness to maintain absolute confidentiality of sensitive information for both external and internal systems;
• Previous experience working with Native American clientele and understanding of their cultural needs;
• Ability to lift and maneuver small children on an ongoing basis and the necessary physical dexterity to work with small children 30-50 lbs. on average (bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, lifting, etc.).
OTHER:
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and ability to be Tribally insured preferred.
• Biennial physical evaluation to assess ability to meet the demands of position required.
• Current and up-to-date immunizations including a current negative TB skin test, annual influenza vaccine, TDap in lieu of Tetanus vaccine, Hepatitis B Vaccination—preferred and required within one month of hire date.
• Successful clearance of National Child Abuse Registry and Neglect Data System;
• Successful clearance of National and State Sex Offender Registry
• Successful clearance of Criminal History and Background Inquiry—Tribal, State and Federal. Employee is required to obtain a portable background check through Washington State Department of Children Youth and Families within one month of hire date and renew every three years. Employee is required to retain clearance for the entire term of employment—additional checks will be conducted on an as needed basis.
*Safety Sensitive Position
*101.630 – This position will have regular contact with and/or control over children as part of their job duties.
Must Apply On-Line for Consideration: https://spokanetribe.bamboohr.com/careers/215?source=aWQ9MjA%3D
Contact: Sabrina McCoy or Empero Corral
(509) 458-6583 or (509) 458-6527, Fax: (509) 458-6556
E-mail: hrfrontdesk@spokanetribe.com
Applications Must Be Received In The Human Resources Department by 4:30 PM On The Closing Date
The Spokane Tribe Reserves The Right To Hire According To
Its Indian Preference Policy
All Applicants Will Be Subject To A Pre-Employment Drug Test
Positions Considered Safety Sensitive Will Also Test For Marijuana
All Positions With The Tribe Are Subject to a 90-Day Probationary Period
