Instructional Assistant (IA)

Position Summary

The Instructional Assistant supports the Teachers and the Director by helping to create a caring and safe environment for the children and assisting in activities to improve the overall care and quality of education. S/he must be able to communicate, listen and work well with others in a team environment. Assisting the staff in implementing a quality educational program and in developing positive relationships with the children and their parents, the Instructional Assistant observes and documents children's interest and progress, and relays that information back to parents and staff. Instructional Assistants are responsible for implementing developmentally appropriate activities based on children's interests and needs under the direction of the Teacher and the Director.

Per Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14.1, employees at MARS Early Learning Academy must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or be approved for a medical or religious exemption prior to being allowed to work.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive Pay

• 401K (Employer Matching contribution)

• Professional Development Opportunities

• Referral Program

• Sick Leave

• Vacation

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assists in developing and implementing lesson plans, and activities that are appropriate to the age group involved
• Always maintains interaction with children during small and whole group interactive learning.
• Assists parents during arrival and departure time.
• Always maintains a safe and clean atmosphere for the children, always following all safety procedures
• Supervises children in classroom and on the playground
• Follow daycare's schedule for children's set meal and snack periods
• Assists parents in following daycare procedures and policies (i.e. labeling children's belongings follow through with daycare schedule
• Encourage self-help and good hygiene through behavior modeling.
• Help ensure smooth, daily transition from home to childcare center.
• Follow all center policies and state regulations.
• Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement
• Implements philosophy of positive reinforcement and redirection of children's behavior.
• Informs parents of any information relating to their children, behavior, and development as needed in oral and written form
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Be at least 18 years old; have a High School Diploma or equivalent; Have a ECE Initial Certificate (12 credits) or Short Certificate (20 credits). AA in ECE preferred.
• Have at least 1 year experience working in an early learning environment.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate using proper English grammar
• Must clear full background check and must pass health screening.
• Have a MERIT account including a STARS ID number.
• Child Care Basics Initial Training (via MERIT)
• Infant/child CPR and First Aid certification and Bloodborne Pathogens certification.
• Must clear full background check and must pass health screening including TB Test.
• Provide proof of Vaccination
• Food Handlers Permit.
• Safe Sleep (https://dcyftraining.com).
• Engage in Professional Development to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.
• Good oral and written communication
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with wide range of individuals, including, staff and parents
• Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.