Center Aide

Details

At a Glance: Join our team as a Center Aide and play a vital role in shaping the lives of children ages 0–5 in a safe, joyful, and inclusive environment. Working hand-in-hand with lead teachers, you’ll provide essential supervision, support daily learning activities, and build meaningful, culturally responsive relationships with families. If you are a proactive, empathetic team player looking for a high-impact role where your reliability and care directly foster a child’s growth and security, we’d love to have you help us build a community where every learner belongs.

Lower Columbia College is accepting applications for multiple openings, with several shifts available between the hours of 7:15 am and 6:00 pm. This is a non-permanent, classified position, requiring in-person work for nine months of the year, up to 19 hours per week.

This position is categorized as an Early Childhood Program Specialist 1, under State of Washington Class Specification. This position will require in person work. This position will report to the Head Start Operations Manager. The pay for this position will start at step A, with scheduled salary increases.

Follow Head Start: For more on Lower Columbia College Head Start, see the Annual Report and join our Social Media page.

Example of Duties & Responsibilities

• Supports lead teacher and/or assistant with implementing activities from the lesson plan with children.
• Responsible at all times for the direct supervision of children. Complete regular counts of children present: in the classroom, on playgrounds, on buses, and during transitions in and out of the classrooms.
• Uses positive guidance techniques in accordance with the Discipline Policy and Procedure.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment.
• Assists Teacher in the identification of each child's strengths, areas to grow and areas of progress.
• Helps achieve a pleasant, inviting atmosphere in which the child feels comfortable and secure including reinforcing ethnic and cultural backgrounds of children.
• Assists as a bus monitor when needed.
• Establishes friendly cooperative relationships with parents and encourages parent participation in the classroom.
• Ensures parent fully and appropriately completes the sign in / out forms on their child's individual record.
• Ensures USDA guidelines are being followed.
• Respects the confidentiality of information about enrolled children and families, personnel issues, and program operations as defined in the Confidentiality Policy.
• Report suspected child abuse in accordance with Washington State Law following program procedures.
• Exhibits acceptable ethics and positive professional behavior, such as: reliability, enthusiasm, initiative, resourcefulness, self-confidence, control, flexibility and honesty.
• Travel between different Head Start centers in the area to assist where coverage is needed.
• Performs related duties as required.

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, work conditions, and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 16 years of age or older.
• Must have high school diploma or equivalent, or be working toward high school completion.
• Demonstrated interest or background in early childhood development, including cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical growth in. infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
• Completed Child Care Basics training OR the ability to complete within 30 days of hire (No cost).
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Previous experience and/or willingness to serve low-income and/or underrepresented populations.
• Excellent communication and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma.
• Driver's License.
• Early Childhood Initial Certification (3 college courses).
• Previous experience in a licensed childcare or early learning environment.

Physical RequirementsSeldom = 1 – 10% of the timeOccasionally = 11 – 33% of the timeFrequently = 34 – 66% of the time

• Seldom – sit for long periods of time (up to 7 hours) during mandatory trainings
• Seldom – in emergency situations, pick up children, up to 80 lbs. (with assistance)
• Occasionally – multiple uses of bleach solution for cleaning/sanitizing classroom and classroom supplies daily/weekly
• Occasionally – classroom arrangement including moving furniture
• Frequently – bend over to pick up items and/or assist children
• Frequently – sit either on child-sized chairs or the floor
• Frequently – squat
• Frequently – extended periods of standing
• Frequently – maintain sight and sound supervision of children
• Frequently – walk during outside play
• Frequently – lift/carrying classroom materials (up to 5 -10 lbs.)
• Frequently – stack chairs

Prior to First Day of Employment

• Washington State Patrol Background Check
• Sex Offender Registry Check
• TB test completed within the last year
• Food Worker Card
• Cleared Portable Background Check through MERIT (to include fingerprinting)
• Policy Council Approval
• Physical exam
• Provide Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) or Acceptable Version of CIS in accordance with the Washington Department of Health, to include:
• MMR Vaccine or proof of immunity to measles

The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our Administrative Services ManagerSupplemental Information

How to apply:

An online application must be completed for consideration. Click “Apply” at the top of the page to get started. Paper submissions or emailed materials will not be accepted. A complete application must also include the following documents (attached or in the online application itself):

• Letter of Interest (cover letter) - describing your interest in Lower Columbia College and this position, how your experience, knowledge/skills, education, abilities etc. meet the qualifications for this position
• Resume
• References - please provide at least three professional references including one current or former supervisor
• Unofficial transcripts (if applicable)

Upon request, accommodations are available for persons with disabilities for the Lower Columbia College hiring process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Residency Requirement To be employed at Lower Columbia College, applicants must currently reside in Washington or Oregon, or be willing to relocate to one of these states. This is a condition of employment for all positions at the College. Please ensure your application reflects your current residency or intent to relocate if selected for the role.

Lower Columbia College Human Resources For any questions regarding this job advertisement and/or department or campus culture, please call our Human Resources office at (360) 442-2120, or email us directly at hr@lowercolumbia.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. All Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Kendra Sprague, Vice President of Foundation, HR & Legal Affairs, 1600 Maple Street, PO Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632, title9@lowercolumbia.edu, Phone number, (360) 442-2120, Phone number/TTY (800) 833-6388.

• Learn more on our Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.
• The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information, visit About Title IX.
• The college encourages qualified members of protected classes to apply.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Lower Columbia College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Lower Columbia College's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at lowercolumbia.edu/CleryASFR.

Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or professional association or is currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employers or professional association. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.

Mission, Vision & Values Our Mission, Vision & Values define our reason for being, and provide the framework for planning and improvement efforts at LCC. For details on LCC's Mission, Vision & Values, see our Strategic Plan.

Conditions of Employment

• If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• This position is part of a bargaining unit subject to the WFSE HE collective bargaining agreement.
• The College is committed to maintain an environment for teaching and learning which is free of drugs and alcohol.
• If you are hired and are proficient in Spanish, you will have to take a Spanish proficiency test to receive the 5% assignment pay.

Anticipated Start Date LCC offers two start dates for new employees - the 1st and 16th or the closest working day.

Benefits

Non-permanent Part-time Employees Paid Leave Paid leave is accrued in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Leave is accrued based on the same proportional basis that the non-permanent part-time appointment bears to a full-time schedule. Non-perm employees accrue prorated vacation, sick leave, one personal holiday, and two personal leave days. Non-perm employees may also participate in leave sharing. Holiday Credit Holiday credit is provided to non-perm part-time higher education employees and is proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the same month of the holiday of that required for full-time employment excluding all holiday hours.

Temporary Part-time Employees Paid leave Temporary employees accrue sick leave at a rate of 1 hour for every 40 hours worked. A sick leave balance not to exceed 40 hours will be carried over into January each year. Other benefits for part-time employees

Other Benefits for Part-time Employees Retirement After 5 consecutive months of 70 or more hours worked, part-time employees are eligible for retirement and required to participate. Employees participate in either PERS Plan 2 or PERS Plan 3 administered through the Department of Retirements Systems. Both plans are matched by LCC. On-site Childcare Center The Early Learning Center is a state licensed program that offers high quality childcare for children ages 1 month through kindergarten entry to students, staff and faculty. The center is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The program is a participant of the Washington State Early Achievers quality rating and improvement system and rated a level 4-Quality Level of Excellence. Our teachers are trained in the Early Childhood Education field. Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system. Red Devil Wellbeing Red Devil Wellbeing is LCC's employee wellness program that strives to help employees improve and maintain their wellbeing enabling them to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.