Assistant Preschool Teacher
High Rockies Community School, 2026–27 · Part-time
Reports to: Preschool Program Director / Lead Teacher
Location: Alma campus
Status: Part-time · Non-exempt
Start Date: August 2026
Compensation: $21.11-$27.57/hour, based on experience and qualifications
Benefits: All employees receive Colorado HWFA paid sick leave, FAMLI paid family and medical leave, PERA retirement, and most Fridays off. This part-time position is not eligible for PTO or the ICHRA health-insurance contribution.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Get your hands in the mud. Learn alongside kids who will teach you something, too.
High Rockies Community School is building something rare: a nature-integrated preschool rooted in the mountain communities of Park County, designed from the ground up to honor the way young children actually learn — outside, in relationship, through play and wonder.
The Preschool Intern Teacher is a hands-on, onsite presence every single day. You are not in the background. You are on the ground, outside in the mud kitchen, helping a child zip their coat, noticing the kid who needs a moment of quiet, and making the classroom run so that the teachers can teach. This role is the right fit for someone early in their ECE journey — curious, energetic, and genuinely drawn to young children — who wants to learn what great early childhood practice looks like from the inside.
What You’ll Do
Classroom Support
● Be present and engaged during all classroom and outdoor learning activities, supporting the Program Director / Lead Teacher and Preschool Teacher in delivering the daily program
● Assist with transitions — arrival, outdoor time, structured activities, and dismissal — helping children move through the day safely and with confidence
● Support small-group and individual activities as directed, providing encouragement, redirection, and hands-on help as children explore, create, and play
● Assist with setup and cleanup of learning materials, outdoor equipment, and the classroom environment
● Help maintain a safe, organized physical space that meets CDEC health and safety standards
● Provide attentive supervision of children at all times, particularly during outdoor learning and physical activity
Student Support
● Offer warm, consistent support to individual students, including those who need extra time, encouragement, or assistance with self-care routines
● Observe and report student behaviors, moods, and interactions to the Program Director / Lead Teacher to support ongoing assessment and instructional decisions
● Assist with basic self-care routines such as handwashing, snack, and dressing for outdoor weather
● Support students with identified needs as directed by the Program Director / Lead Teacher and Student Services Coordinator
Family & Community
● Greet children and families warmly at arrival and dismissal, serving as a friendly and reliable face of the program
● Communicate any notable student observations or events at the end of the day to the Program Director / Lead Teacher for follow-up with families
Professional Responsibilities
● Complete required CDEC training hours, CPR/First Aid certification, and mandatory reporter training before working with students
● Arrive reliably and on time — the program depends on full staffing every day
● Participate in preschool team check-ins and school-wide professional development as scheduled
● Approach the role as a learning opportunity — ask questions, observe closely, and grow
What We’re Looking For
Required
● 18 years of age or older; high school diploma or GED required
● Genuine interest in early childhood education and working with young children (ages 3–5)
● Patience, reliability, and a calm, warm presence with children
● Ability to pass a criminal background check (CBI fingerprinting) consistent with C.R.S. § 22-32-109.7
● Physical ability to work outdoors in varying mountain weather conditions and keep up with active preschoolers
Preferred
● Current enrollment or completed coursework in an Early Childhood Education program
● CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain before start)
● Experience with young children in any setting — childcare, tutoring, camp, babysitting, volunteering
● Connection to or experience in mountain, rural, or small-school communities
You’ll Be a Great Fit If You…
● Light up around young children and find their way of seeing the world genuinely delightful
● Are the kind of person who notices what needs doing and does it without being asked
● Want to learn — about early childhood, outdoor education, and what it actually takes to build a great program
● Are comfortable outside in the cold, the mud, and the wind, and would rather be in the woods than at a desk
● Understand that showing up consistently, with care and good energy, is the job
How to Apply
● To apply, send a letter of interest and resume to [email protected] with the subject line “Preschool Assistant Teacher – [Your Name].”
Employment Eligibility, Licensure & Background Checks
● Employment is contingent on a satisfactory criminal background check and CBI/FBI fingerprint-based screening, consistent with C.R.S. § 22-32-109.7 and § 22-30.5-110.7 (charter schools).
● Must be 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED, and must complete required CDEC training, CPR/First Aid certification, and mandatory reporter training before working with students. Must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States (Form I-9).
● HRCS employees are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect under C.R.S. § 19-3-304.
Equal Opportunity & Reasonable Accommodation
High Rockies Community School is an equal opportunity employer. HRCS does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
HRCS complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable Colorado law and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process and employment. To request an accommodation, contact the Executive Director at [email protected].
Physical & Essential Function Requirements
● This role requires the ability to work outdoors in varying mountain weather; keep up with active preschoolers; sit and move at children’s level; and lift or assist young children as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Additional Terms
● Classification: Non-exempt (hourly), part-time, under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
● Employment with HRCS is at-will and may be ended by either the employee or the school at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable law and any written agreement.
● This posting describes the general nature and level of work and is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities; duties may be added, removed, or changed at any time, and other duties may be assigned.
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Pay: $21.11 - $27.57 per hour
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
