TEACHER ASSISTANT II, Children's Center

VACANCY ANN #:  STOI-25-020

TITLE:                       TEACHER ASSISTANT II

DEPARTMENT:      477 / CHILD CARE CENTER

LOCATION:              SPOKANE, WA

STATUS:                  REGULAR, FULL-TIME

SALARY LEVEL:    $18.00 - $26.12 / PER HOUR

OPENING DATE:    MARCH 3, 2025

CLOSING DATE:    MARCH 17, 2025

SUMMARY:
The Spokane Tribe of Indians Tribal 477/TANF Program promotes and supports Tribal children and their families reaching their full potential of becoming healthy, productive, and self-sufficient.  This is done in a way that protects and benefits the Tribal children, respects, and preserves their culture, values traditions, gives families access as well as input into the full range of programs and services to promote their self-esteem, independence, self-sufficiency, and their educational experiences.

The TANF Children’s 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.

All active investigations resulting in removal of any minor child under custody/guardianship of employee will result in immediate suspension.  Following completion of active investigation, any findings of child abuse or neglect will result in immediate termination of employment.

Employee is required to disclose any active investigations of crimes listed on the Secretary’s List of Crimes and Negative Actions (WAC 110-06-0120) during the interview/hiring process and throughout term of employment.

JOB DUTIES:

• 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; both in learning activities and imaginative play which develop questioning, probing, and problem solving appropriate to developmental levels and learning styles of the children are utilized.
• Assist in language development by communicating thoughtfully throughout the day and in a variety of activities with children.
• 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 maintaining all learning space to ensure it is an enjoyable environment that encourages exploration and learning.
• 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 them, 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.
• 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.

·         Assist in supporting 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 through play.

·         Perform as a team member to assure that productivity outcome measures are achieved.

·         Maintain a friendly and constructive atmosphere regarding relationships 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 to ensure order in activity areas.
• 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.

This position has no supervisory control

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

·         Knowledge of American Indian culture, traditions, and language.

·         Knowledge of working with low-income children and families.

·         Knowledge of public assistance laws, rules, regulations, service programs and childcare programs preferred.

·         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 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 maintain absolute confidentiality of sensitive information for both external and internal systems.

·         Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.

·         Prepare, organize, and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development.

·         Teach basic skills to children.

·         Observe and evaluate children’s performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

·         Read books to the entire class or small groups of children.

·         Attend to children’s basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, etc.

·         Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and imaginative play.

·         Assimilate arriving children to the school environment by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear, and selecting activities of interest to them.

·         Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines and program regulations.

·         Teach proper eating habits and personal hygiene.

·         Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students and the program. 

·         Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.

·         Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to children.

·         Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children’s progress and needs, determine their priorities for their children, and suggest ways that they can promote learning and development.

·         Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests.

·         Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.

·         Arrange indoor and outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities, and safety.

·         Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, policies, and administrative regulations. 

·         Demonstrate activities to children.

·         Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students’ needs and progress. 

·         Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula. 

·         Organize and label materials and display students’ work in a manner appropriate for their ages and perceptual skills.

·         Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence. 

·         Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.

·         Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of preschool programs.

·         Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guests, or other experiential activities and guide students in learning from those activities.

·         Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.

·         Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.

·         Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities.

·         Administer screenings, evaluations, or other instruments to help determine children’s developmental levels, needs, and potential.

·         Prepare and implement individualized programs for students requiring extra help.

·         Perform administrative duties, such as bus monitoring, bus driving, and bus loading and unloading.

• Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for use during small, and large group activities with children.

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years (2) experience working with children 6 weeks – 6 years in a group setting (or a combination of work and education pertaining to Early Childhood Education).

CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Washington State Food Handlers Certification required prior to start date.
• 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.
• Initial Basic STARS 30-Hour Training preferred OR ability to complete within six months of hire date and ability to complete 15 hours as required on an annual basis.
• Ability to obtain the following certificates and licenses within the specified time frame:
  • Blood Borne Pathogens (1 Month)
  • First Aid and CPR Certification Infant and Child (2 months)

Employee will be required to maintain all certifications and keep them current

MUST APPLY ON-LINE: https://spokanetribe.bamboohr.com/careers/407?source=aWQ9MjE=

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

*FBI Background – Positions involving regular contact with, or control over, Indian Children in accordance with the Federal Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, Public Law 101-630

Confirmation receipt of on-line submission and interview status will be sent to the applicants e-mail address used when applying. Applicants are responsible to regularly monitor their e-mails.

Contact: Empero Corral HR Generalist, or Kammi Rosenbaum

509-458-6576 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

Salary : $18 - $26