POSITION:  Educational Assistant - Preschool (3 Positions Available)

LOCATION:  Powell Butte Elementary School

HOURS:  6 Hours Per Day (8:35am - 3:05pm)

DAYS:  190 Days Per Year (Approximately); September - June

SALARY:  Range 5 ($18.36 - $19.71 Per Hour for 2023-2024; 2024-2025 Hourly Rate Pending Union Negotiations)

BENEFITS:  PERS, Medical, Dental, Vision, Optional Insurances, Paid Leaves, Holiday Pay, etc.

START DATE:  September 2024

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Open until filled

JOB PURPOSE STATEMENT(S):  The job of Educational Assistant – Preschool is to assist a certificated teacher in the planning and implementation of instructional programs for students who are not in categorical programs (e.g., special education, Title, ELL, etc.).  Employees in this job group perform paraprofessional duties in settings where instructional programs and teaching techniques are used to address the needs of all students who are not in special programs that may require IEPs and are not federally funded.  Assistants will facilitate one-on-one and small group instruction, tutoring, developmentally and culturally appropriate skill building and performing a variety of clerical duties.  Some positions may be associated with Federal NCLB paraprofessional requirements.  Methods of performing tasks are usually left to the judgment of the employee with their team giving occasional instructions, advice, or direction; work is reviewed occasionally while in progress and upon completion.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in the planning and implementing of developmentally and culturally appropriate learning experiences of students enrolled in the preschool program that develop the whole child; emphasize social-emotional, physical, approaches to learning, language and literacy and cognitive skills. Initiate activities and discussions that build a positive self-identity. Demonstrate support of children and families meeting their goals and prepare the child for academic success.  Spend one-on-one time with children developing skills and the bond between the teacher and child.
• Develop caring and trusting relationships with parents and demonstrate a culturally responsive practice. Greet parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition into the classroom, a positive home-classroom connection and a family partnership.  Participate in home activities and assist the teacher by demonstrating activities parents can do at home with their children to support the curriculum and the child’s learning and developmental needs.
• Confer with teacher(s) to provide feedback on student performance in tutorial and testing activities.
• Work with the teacher to create a classroom environment conducive to learning. Utilize instructional methods and materials that are developmentally and culturally appropriate for meeting objectives.  Maintain a clean, safe learning environment and teacher to child ratio at all times.
• Interpret instructional plans, within guidelines set by a certificated teacher.
• Instruct students in small group and one-on-one settings, with direct teacher oversight.
• Assist the teacher with set up and maintenance of an appropriate classroom environment, including organization of space and material storage. Help supervise the classroom, field trips and recreational activities.
• Maintain ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents. Support parent partnership through workshops, training and other school and district activities.
• Help students develop positive interpersonal relationships with peers and adults.
• Promote safety of the students by helping them develop self-confidence.
• Interpret and implement a behavior management program; train and assist students in behavior management.
• Provide education regarding appropriate interpersonal actions; respond to discipline problems; act as a role model.
• Report to work at scheduled time, time to be determined by supervisor. Maintain good attendance. Perform all duties in a safe, timely, and professional manner.  Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Attend in-service and workshop training related to area of assignment and apply training to instructional responsibilities.
• Perform a variety of general clerical duties, including writing attendance reports, grading papers and maintaining accurate files.
• Assist, as requested, in communication between students, teachers and parents.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS – QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience Preferred: Prior job-related experience in working with young children.
• Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities Required:

General skills in English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.  Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

General knowledge in modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, including computer hardware and software, as required by specific assignment.  The principles, practices and techniques of instruction related to the area of assignment.  Proper developmentally appropriate practices and techniques and the techniques and methods of student supervision and classroom management.

General abilities include working effectively in an environment which can be both physically and emotionally fatiguing. Deal in a developmentally and empathetic manner with students within the learning environment.  Learn basic first aid and safety requirements.  Work in a team setting.  Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.  Perform physical job tasks.  Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

• Education Required:  High school diploma or equivalent.  Any employee, who working in a school classified with a School-Wide Title program through “No Child Left Behind Act”, will be required to have earned an associate’s (or higher) degree; completed at least two (2) years of study at an institution of higher education; or met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment (a) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or  (b) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing and readiness, and mathematics readiness as appropriate.
• Licenses, Bonding, and/or Testing Required: Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance (applicant agrees to assume cost upon offer of employment). 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Salary and work year to be established by the Board.

EVALUATION:  Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board’s Policy on Evaluation of Support Staff Personnel.  Reports to appropriate Principal.

5/2/2024 - Revised posting from one (1) position to three (3) positions.