Description

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. 

At Pacific University we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and Eugene. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, acquire and share knowledge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Classrooms in the elementary grades at the ELC are blended, meaning that two grade levels are combined so that students have the chance to dig deeply into topics over the course of two years, to work at their level regardless of calendar age, and to practice leading the younger students. The Assistant Teacher plays a vital role in this rich learning environment to ensure that all children’s needs are met.

The Assistant Teacher coordinates with the Lead Teacher to provide a supportive learning environment so that children acquire connected, meaningful knowledge about themselves and the world. The Assistant Teacher also supports the delivery of a high quality aftercare program for elementary students. The Assistant Teacher collaborates with all staff in responding to the developmental needs of young children and in nurturing their well-being, employing best practices which express the educational philosophy and goals of the ELC and College of Education.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the Elementary Lead Teachers to facilitate learning experiences using a project-based approach.
• Assist in the implementation of lesson plans designed to meet curricular goals and support the development of language, literacy, mathematics, scientific understanding, and social-emotional skills in all learners.
• Working in concert with the teaching team, identify and respond to issues in the classroom without explicit instruction to ensure the successful functioning of the classroom community.
• Interact with children in ways that respect each child’s individuality and nourish growth in intellectual, socio-emotional, artistic, and physical domains.
• Lead groups of children during unstructured times such as outdoor learning and lunch as well as times suggested by the Lead Teacher’s instructions and the daily schedule of activities. Assistant Teacher regularly leads half of the classroom in math and literacy using lessons that are created by the Lead Teacher or are part of a third party curriculum.
• When working with the children, promote constructive play, positive group interaction, social-emotional skill development and respect for the school environment.
• During aftercare (approximately 2:45 - 4:00), assist the Elementary Aftercare Lead in implementing high quality activities for children and responding to the needs of children and parents.
• Assist in identifying and meeting the developmental, health, safety, and security needs of each child. During the aftercare hours, maintain awareness of overall building safety and security.
• Create and maintain positive relationships with parents, observing appropriate boundaries in the communication of information and feedback about children.
• Assist throughout the facility with the maintenance of orderliness and positive aesthetic. General housekeeping tasks include tidying up classroom spaces at the end of the day, cleaning tables and putting up chairs, retrieving and folding completed laundry, and running dishes through the sanitizer at the end of the day.
• Maintain and nurture positive and effective relationships with guests of the Early Learning Community.
• Communicate regularly and appropriately with Lead Teacher on classroom activities and child progress, ask Lead Teacher for direction in any uncertainty about teaching approaches, be receptive to feedback and suggestions for improvement, and work cooperatively with all staff.
• Communicate as needed with the Head of School/CLDC Director about any questions or concerns about activities or behaviors in aftercare and reflections on program effectiveness.
• Demonstrate a willingness and openness to take on duties as needed for the smooth operation of school and well-being of the children.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: Perform other related duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE: Performs duties with little direction given, operating from established ELC policy, Lead Teacher guidance, and collaborative decisions reached by the teaching team. Decisions are made within general university policy constraints but occasionally require independent decision making.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position does not have any supervisory responsibility. 

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Must be professionally prepared to be a teacher in child care settings and meet the requirements of the Office of Child Care for a Teacher who is qualified to independently supervise children.

• Candidates must be able to successfully enroll in the Oregon Central Background Registry and complete upon hire:
  • Pediatric CPR / First Aid certification.
  • Food Handler’s certificate
  • Safety Set trainings: Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect, Intro to Child Care Healty and Safety, Foundations for Learning

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS:

• Familiarity and experience with project-based, constructivist educational approaches. Previous experience with K-4th grade students strongly preferred.
• Experience leading small groups of children independently for at least 30 minutes of time in a school, camp, or child care setting. Ideal candidates have experience leading groups of 10-20 children.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain pleasant, effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff and the general public.
• Strong oral English communication skills required to lead break-out groups in literacy and math. Ideal candidates are bilingual in English and Spanish.
• High degree of reliability and commitment to work hours scheduled.
• Flexibility of hours in response to needs of the school for optimal staffing.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work independently with a high degree of confidentiality.
• Understanding of, and ability to meet Pacific University employee standards and expectations, as follow:
• Communicates with students, faculty, staff and the public appropriate to the age of the individual served.
• Builds on basic learning and carries it from one situation to another.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision-making.
• Asks questions and seeks assistance.
• Takes responsibility to eliminate the source of problems.
• Demonstrates confidentiality regarding information pertaining to all students, faculty and staff.
• Maintains proper appearance and personal conduct for the employee’s particular job.
• Uses effective communication skills taking into consideration body language, filters, listening, paraphrasing, and questions with customers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrates ability to work in a team environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Classroom and outdoor playground environment, in all weather conditions.
• Position involves a public interface and continual interaction with parents, children, university students and faculty.
• Work hours between approximately 8:30 and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, depending on position.
• Annual schedule will closely follow the public school calendar, September through mid-June with optional summer camp hours available during July.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES/REQUIREMENTS: x Light work x Medium work Moderate and continuous physical activity, including standing, walking, quick movements in response to needs of children, lifting (up to 50 pounds), getting up and down from floor, bending, squatting, kneeling, crawling, reaching, speech and hearing, light housekeeping.

At Pacific University we are dedicated to providing experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. We continue to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

For qualifying employees, our benefits include generous paid time off for vacation, holidays (including winter break) and sick leave. We offer medical coverage with alternative care (in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction), comprehensive dental, vision plans, 9% contribution to retirement after one year of service with no match required, free mental health appointments, and tuition remission for employees and their dependents. We cover employer paid life, short term disability, and long term disability insurance. On campus benefits include free access to our sports facility and library, with discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and gear rentals through our outdoor program (kayaks, snow shoes, bikes and more).

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, provost@pacificu.edu.

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by telephone. The hiring process normally consists of several interviews and can last several weeks depending on the position. All applicants will be notified once the position is filled. Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.