VACANCY ANN#: STOI-24-061
TITLE: TEACHER ASSISTANT
DEPARTMENT: PSELC, 477/TANF
SUPERVISOR: PSELC MANAGER
STATUS: FULL-TIME, NON-EXEMPT
RATE OF PAY: $16.98 - $22.00 / PER HOUR
OPENING DATE: JULY 1, 2024
CLOSING DATE: JULY 14, 2024

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 classroom staff in planning, prepping, and implementing activities in accordance with developmentally appropriate practice and program philosophy.
• Work with classroom staff to ensure a variety of materials, resources, and activities for children to explore, manipulate and use.
• Assist classroom staff in meeting the unique individualized needs of each child.
• Assist in all classrooms, including infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age.
• Assist in providing 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, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
• Support children’s emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
• Support lead staff in utilizing positive discipline tactics with all 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.
• 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.
• Assist in supporting the children’s positive self-image
• Optimize all children’s learning opportunities through play.
• Perform as a team member to assure that productivity outcome measures are achieved.
• Maintain a friendly and constructive atmosphere with all co-workers and clientele.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and designated training programs.

• Assist in preparing food for children and serving meals and refreshments to children as required by the Minimum Licensing Requirements and/or the Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements.
• Assist in organizing, cleaning, and storing toys and materials
• Assist in maintaining 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.
• Assist in meeting all Federal, State, and Tribal regulations and policies with regards to the TANF and Childcare Programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Knowledge of American Indian culture, traditions, and language.
• Knowledge of working with low-income children and families.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences in ability, personality, and interests, learning and motivation.
• Knowledge of early childhood developmental stages and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Skills in observation and data collection.
• 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. Ability to work flexible hours, shifts and rotate between various classrooms and kitchen as needed.
• Ability and willingness to maintain absolute confidentiality of sensitive information for both external and internal systems.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or GED.
• Previous experience working with Native American clientele and understanding of their cultural needs.
• Successful clearance of Criminal History and Background inquiry—Tribal, State and Federal.
• Successful clearance of National Child Abuse Registry and Neglect Data System.
• Successful clearance of National and State Sex Offender Registry; AND maintain clearance at all times.
• Successful clearance of National Child Abuse Registry and Neglect Data System. Additional checks will be utilized to determine retention.
• 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.
• 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.). Ability to pass a bi-annual health examination to ensure the ability to safely perform job duties.
• Employee must be willing to complete all assigned trainings pertinent to their position annually.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· Previous experience working with children 6 weeks – 6 years

CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Initial Basic STARS 30-Hour Training required within three 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)

*Indian Preference grants preference to any enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe.

*Safety Sensitive Background – requires a higher standard of performance and behavior.

*FBI Background – criminal and character background investigation. 101-630

APPLY ON-LINE;

C ontact: Sabrina McCoy

509-458-6583 or 458-6527

E-mail: hrfrontdesk@spokanetribe.com

Applications must be received in the Human Resource Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date.

The Spokane Tribe reserves the right to hire according to its Indian Preference Policy

All Applicants are subject to a Pre-Employment Drug Test

All Positions with the Spokane tribe of Indians are subject to a 90-day orientation period