CHILDREN’S CENTER TEACHER ASSISTANTS
VACANCY ANN#: STOI-22-131
POSITION: CHILDREN’S CENTER TEACHER ASSISTANTS
SUPERVISOR: CHILDREN’S CENTER MANAGER
DEPARTMENT: TANF/477
LOCATION: SPOKANE, WA
STATUS: REGULAR/FULL TIME, NON- EXEMPT
RATE OF PAY: $15.73 – $23.59/ PER HOUR
OPENING DATE: FEBRUARY 24, 2023
CLOSING DATE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED
INTRODUCTION:
The Spokane Tribal TANF Children’s Center provides a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for young children. We value, accept and welcome all children and families. The primary emphasis of the program is to provide Early Childhood learning in a positive, educational setting.
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;
• Utilize available resources to ensure effective delivery of services;
• Ensure services are implemented to meet each child’s individualized needs thru active collaboration with classroom teaching teams;
• 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 American Indian culture, traditions, and language;
• Knowledge in working with low-income children and families;
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing services to children and families;
• Knowledge of program requirements for early childhood/child care services;
• 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;
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum and associated assessment materials;
• Skill in observation and data collection;
• Skill in submitting reports in a timely fashion;
• 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.
SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
• Initial Basic STARS 30-Hour Training preferred OR ability to complete training within six months of hire date (if education does not substitute), and 10 hours annual STARS training required;
• Ability to obtain the following certificates and licenses within the specified time frame:
Blood Borne Pathogens (1 month)
Food Handler’s Certification (2 months)
First Aid and CPR certification Infant and Child (2 months) and any other requirements necessary to meet Spokane Tribe of Indians licensing standards; if not met upon hire, within first three months of hire date.
Employee will be required to maintain all certifications and keep them current.
MINIUMUM REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Washington State Short State ECED Certificate of Specialization or equivalent OR willingness to obtain within two years of hire date is required. Washington State ECED Certificate is preferred. A signed educational agreement will be required if educational mandates are not currently met;
• Full-time employees must be able to work a steady full-time workload (minimum 32 hours, maximum 40 hours per week);
• Part-time employees must be able to work a steady workload not to exceed 29 hours per week;
• Previous experience working with Native American clientele and understanding of their cultural needs is preferred.
• Current and up-to-date immunizations including a current TB skin test, annual influenza vaccine, TDap in lieu of Tetanus vaccine (preferred), Hepatitis B vaccination;
• Must be able to perform the job duties; bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting of small children on a regular basis. Biennial physical required.
• Must successfully clear and maintain in good standing all criminal background checks; Tribal, Federal, WA State portable, and National Child Abuse Registry and Neglect Data System. Any findings of child abuse or neglect will result in termination of employment.
*Safety Sensitive
** PUBLIC LAW 101.630 **
This position will have regular contact with and/or control over children as part of their job.
2023-287 Public Law, Pursuant to 3.1.1, this position requires Application Form (3.1.2), and Background and Character Investigation (3.1.3) to be submitted at the time of application.
Authorization and Consent National Credit Reporting Form
Spokane Tribe Compliance Application Form
Contact: Sabrina McCoy or Empero Corral
(509) 458-6583 or (509) 458-6529, Fax (509) 458-6556
E-mail: hrfrontdesk@spokanetribe.com
All Applications Must Be Received in the HR Department No Later
Than 4:30pm on the Closing Date
The Spokane Tribe of Indians Reserves The Right To Hire According To Its Indian Preference Policy
All Applicants Are Subject To A Pre-Employment Drug Test
Safety Sensitive Positions Will Also Test for Marijuana
All Positions With The Spokane Tribe Are Subject To A-90 Day Orientation
