The Head Start / ELC Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting a Lead Teacher in the planning and providing of high quality educational experiences for preschool children in the center’s educational program, while maintaining compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and/or WA State Licensing regulations. Recognizing parents as the primary educator of their children, the Teacher Assistant also helps involve parents with all aspects of center planning and activities. This position will work under two separate grants: Head Start and CCDF at different hours of the day, and is expected to understand and follow all applicable Performance Standards and WAC regulations.

Why work for Samish?

The Samish Indian Nation provides a very competitive compensation package, which includes medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, Life Insurance, optional supplemental coverage plans, a 401(k) Plan, paid vacation and sick leave, and approximately 16 paid holidays. Best of all, we offer a great environment with passionate and caring staff!

Benefits Summary

• Health insurance including medical, dental & vision
• Life, AD&D, STD and LTD insurance
• Annual & Sick Leave
  
• Paid holidays (up to 16+ days per year)
• Paid jury, bereavement & cultural leave
• Wellness & Employee Assistance Plan
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Wage increases at 6 months, 1 year and annually (based on performance evaluation and available funds)

1. Assists in planning and implementing daily lesson plans under the guidance of the Lead Teacher. Planned activities and experiences should be developmentally appropriate, engaging, exploratory, and in line with the early childhood philosophy of the program  
2. Maintains an understanding of Head Start regulations and WA State licensing WACs and supports the center by understanding the importance of all regulations, implementing systems to comply with all regulations, and striving for full compliance every day
3. Assists in health and developmental screenings as appropriate and utilizes all screening results to plan for and meet the individual needs of all children
4. Assists in establishing a successful classroom environment including room arrangement with proper zoning, child-accessible materials to include sensory, open-ended, creative, and exploratory materials, an orderly set up/clean up system, a visual schedule of daily activities, meaningful child work on display throughout the classroom, and a focus on natural elements, calming décor, and cultural relevance
5. Assists in classroom documentation, may include regular child observations, portfolios of developmental progress, individualized learning plans, lesson planning, and regular, ongoing assessments as guided by the Lead Teacher
6. Establishes supportive and respectful relationships with all families, demonstrating the importance of parent involvement in the child’s learning process. Engages parent and implements activities and opportunities for involvement, including culturally relevant and anti-bias classroom curriculum, reflective of the families enrolled in the center
7. Supports safe and orderly transportation of children, ensuring that proper seat restraints are used at all times and all safety regulations are followed during program provided transportation
8. Helps children engage in meaningful interactions with teachers and with peers by providing conversational feedback loops, language modeling, and high quality, effective interactions throughout the day
9. Assists with providing positive guidance to children supporting successful classroom management, and demonstrates clear limits and expectations for students according to developmentally appropriate practices
10. Eats with and assists children in the development of individual skills and sound nutritional practices during family-style meal service
11. Assists with center record keeping for compliance with the policies and procedures of the program including attendance, meal counts, health checks, etc
12. Maintains confidentiality for all children, families, and staff. Exercises appropriate discretion in information sharing with other staff as it applies to job responsibilities on a need-to-know basis
13. Attends training as relevant to staff development plans and required continuing education. Maintains current certification for First Aid, CPR, Food Handler’s Permit, and Health Checks. Understands and complies with CPS mandated reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect
14. Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands: Must be able to lift and carry 40lbs; able to stand (40% of time), sit (30% of time), as well as frequently stoop, squat, lift, kneel, bend, reach, and run (30% of time); possess manual dexterity sufficient to use hand writing materials, computers, and office equipment to prepare reports and documentation; be physically able to move through classrooms, ride along and load/unload from a school bus; Mental/Visual Demands: Constant mental, visual, and audio supervision of children and attention is needed. Tasks involve eye-hand coordination. Working Environment: mainly indoors with heat and some air conditioning. Outside time is required each day on playground or on field trips. Must be able to move around for the majority of shift. Unavoidable hazards/risks: Possibility of exposure to blood and bodily fluids; possibility of exposure to communicable diseases. Protective clothing or equipment may be required (goggles, gloves, masks, boots, etc.) 

Samish Indian Nation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages applications from all persons regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or ancestry.  Samish preference and Indian preference will be applied to the selection for this position as defined in Title 25, US Code Section 473.

CONFIDENTIALITY:  This position develops, maintains, and is responsible for safeguarding the computer/electronic and hardcopy file folders containing sensitive and proprietary information about the Tribe and its members.  The incumbent must maintain confidentiality of all work and files pertaining to enrollment, clients, survey results, and all other material that may identify individuals by name (either directly or by reference), as set forth by the Tribal Council in the Personnel Manual.  Any violation in this matter may result in immediate termination of employment.

Please state your eligibility for Indian preference in your cover letter.  Indian preference must be documented prior to interview or hiring.  BIA Form 4432 or tribal enrollment ID may be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference.

All persons who are offered employment with the Samish Indian Nation must give permission for a thorough background check of previous work performance, motor vehicle history, credit history and criminal history, as well as a pre-employment drug screen.

This position is a “covered position” under the Tribe’s Indian Child and Family Violence Act Policy and all applicants must undergo a fingerprint background investigation in order to be hired for this position.  The Tribe will not hire, permit anyone to work or volunteer in a covered position if the person has ever been found guilty or entered a plea of no contest or guilty to any offense under federal, state, or Tribal law which involves violence, threat of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, prostitution, crimes against persons, or offenses committed against children.