Learning Development Associate Jobs in Federal Way, WA

POSITION SUMMARY: The E-Start Assistant Teacher assists the teacher in providing children with a learning environment and varied experiences which will help them develop in all areas in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development, in enhancing parents' role as the principal influence on the child's education and development and to support children's physical well-being and access to on-going health services.  The primary focus of this position is assisting the teacher in the learning activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

• Daily Program: Participates in planning with teachers and other staff members.  Participates in preparation of materials and the environment.   Assists in maintaining a safe, orderly and developmentally appropriate environment.
• Interactions with Children and Families: Interacts positively with all children to support their individual learning and meets their emotional needs.  Works with the teachers in communicating regularly and respectfully with families and involving them in the program.
• Environment: Helps maintain a safe and healthy environment for children which is reflective of the cultures and languages of the enrolled families, and supervises children in the classroom, outdoor spaces and on field trips.
• Individualizing: Participates in ongoing assessment of individual children including written observations, work samples, and developmental checklist.  Participates in developing and implementing individual learning plans (ILP).  Assists in providing a curriculum and environment which meets the needs of every child, including those with disabilities.
• Health and Development Screening: Assist in administering screenings and performing health duties.

 

• Meals: Participates in meal preparations, family-style meal implementation and cleanup.  Plans, sets-up and prepares meals as appropriate; cleans up dishes, wipes down tables, and stores food; eats family style meals with children.  Serves food, identifying children's dietary accommodations with information provided by teacher/family support specialist.  Completes USDA paperwork.  Assists with maintaining emergency food and emergency non-food supplies.

 

• Record Keeping: Helps maintain complete written records for each child/family, which are stored in a confidential manner.
• Interdisciplinary Planning: Participates as a team member in interdisciplinary planning for children and families, and other cross-component coordination efforts.
• Parent Involvement: Participates in, encourages, and supports family involvement in all aspects of the program, including parent gatherings/meetings. May visit parents in their homes.
• Duties in Absence of Teacher: When requested, assumes responsibilities of teacher in his/her absence.
• Staff Training: Attends pre-service and other staff in-service trainings.

 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
Washington State ECE Initial Certificate, Short Certificate of Specialization, or Certificate OR
Current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential (any focus) from the Council for Professional Recognition OR
12 job-related credits
(Substitution:  Professional Development Plan to complete above qualifications)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
One (1) school year (9 months) experience in a preschool classroom
Current and former E-Start parents receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are equally qualified
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Abides by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety rules/standards and wears required safety equipment. Wears safe shoes with toe and heel covering.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Criminal background clearance
Possess and maintain a valid and current Food Handler's permit
Possess and maintain a current district-approved American Heart Association or American Red Cross pediatric CPR and first aid training within 90 days of employment. District approved courses must include hands-on exam.
Have reliable transportation
Submit a Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) health clearance form from a medical provider
Provide current negative TB test results or negative chest X-ray
Cannot smell of smoke, perfume, or other chemicals
Possess and maintain district-paid Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) certificated course
Successfully complete the FWPS district-approved Right Response training at the advanced level at the next available time; maintain current certification at the advanced level through an annual recertification class
Pass and maintain a Portable Back Check (PBC) on Merit through DCYF. This must be cleared prior to staff's employment start date.
Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis
KNOWLEDGE OF:
School board policies and procedures
Compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
ABILITY TO:
Demonstrate basic knowledge of technology and willingness and ability to increase knowledge to proficiency
Organize and perform job responsibilities efficiently and independently without close supervision and able to pay strict attention to detail
Speak, read and follow written or verbal communications
Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines
Develop and maintain positive customer relations with staff and service providers
Work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers
Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
Relate effectively with parents, staff, students and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community
Provide training and support to volunteers
Follow directions/guidance from the teacher
Use computer for word processing, databases, spreadsheets and other networking capabilities
Provide supervision on field trips
Perform job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future." 
Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will constantly bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee is frequently required to stand/walk, stoop, squat, kneel, use hands for fine manipulation. The employee will occasionally be required to sit, climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, and crawl.
The position also requires hand/finger dexterity; hearing; speaking; seeing; tasting; smelling; writing; and keyboarding. The position requires the employee to lift and move equipment, materials, and/or food up to 40 lbs. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 10 pounds and must frequently lift /carry up to 30 pounds.  The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 40 lbs.  The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum weight of 300 pounds. Anything over the weight limits should be done as a two-person lift or with a mechanical lift. The employee must be able to lift and hold children.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions in a controlled space with artificial lighting and some natural lighting. The indoor flooring is both carpeted and linoleum. The employee may go outside for recess. The employee regularly works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally loud. The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases carried by children and must follow universal precautions when caring for hygiene needs. This position requires exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals. The employee must adjust to frequent interruptions in their work schedule. The employee abides by OSHA safety rules/standards and wears required safety equipment, and wears safe shoes with toe and heel covering.
WORK SCHEDULE
This position typically works 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, during preschool hours during the school year. Hours may vary. Must be able to work some evenings.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports to the E-Start Center Coordinator and E-Start Teacher
REPRESENTATION
This position is represented by E-Start
LEVEL OF COMPENSATION
Teacher Assistant position on the E-Start Salary Schedule
This position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE - Medical, dental, vision; sick, life insurance and retirement
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Updated Min Quals 6/2023
Formatted 03/2019
Updated 8/2018
Updated Right Response language 07/2017
Updated to new format 09/2016
Update 07/2015
Updated 03/2023 - Portable Back Check
Disclaimer
The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.  The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job6.20., the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. 
All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.
Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.