Teacher Assistant Health Advocate
Best to apply by 8/7/2026.
The position is located at South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) center in Thurston County.
Benefits include Medical/Dental/Vision, Life/AD&D insurance, FSA/DCAP, LTD insurance, Retirement/DCP, EAP, Sick Leave, Personal Leave, and Holiday Pay. The salary range includes the potential of a .70 cent bilingual differential as determined by program need.
Required attachments: Cover Letter, Resume, and Transcripts.
Please see the job description below for additional Minimum Job Qualifications and a list of Essential Functions
The job of ELP- Teacher Assistant/Health Advocate is done for the purpose/s of acting as a support and resource to the families; assisting the teacher with classroom planning and management; attending home visits with teacher, as requested; providing health and nutritional information and education materials to parents; performing and documenting health screenings and providing referrals as needed; preparing, tracking and maintaining detailed health information for children; encouraging parent involvement in the program; documenting child progress/activities/outcomes; and maintaining a safe classroom environment both physically and emotionally.
This job is distinguished from similar jobs by the following characteristics: This is a union represented position (Federation of Head Start Employees) and is further distinguished from similar jobs per the essential functions and educational requirements listed below.
This job reports to ELP- Center Director
Family Health Support Assists families with basic health needs for the purpose of providing resources to the family as may be required.
Classroom Activity Planning Assists in the planning and implementation of classroom activities for the purpose of creating developmentally appropriate lesson plans to meet individual and group needs.
Instruction of Children and Parents Assists in the instruction of children and parents (e.g. nutrition, self-care, social, motor skills, language skills, etc.) for the purpose of optimizing development of each child and helping to enhance parenting skills.
Child Development Assessment Assists the teacher in the assessment of each child's developmental level for the purpose of documenting progress and working with the teacher to support each child's development.
Family Enrollment Assists in enrolling families (e.g. reviews health information with family, determining child's health status, sharing immunization information, nutritional assessment, family needs assessment, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining and assembling children's health files and assisting families with basic health care.
Lead Classroom Role Assumes the lead role in the classroom and planning when the teacher is not present for the purpose of ensuring a conducive learning environment.
Community Planning Meeting Attendance Attends community planning meetings when classroom teacher is unable to attend for the purpose of gathering and/or conveying information.
Professional Development Attends various educational workshops, seminars, in-services, on-going evaluation process, reviewing the position plan, etc. for the purpose of maintaining their professional knowledge.
Health Provider Communication Communicates with health providers for the purpose of completing children's health records and/or providing for their safety.
Home Visits Conducts home visits with assigned families as per program requirements (e.g. reviewing status of medical and dental exams, etc.) for the purpose of sharing information and resources with the family.
Team Contribution Contributes to the team for the purpose of collaborating, defining and clarifying roles and expectations with coworkers and cooperating with other program staff to maintain quality.
Supply Distribution Distributes supplies for the purpose of filling requests for first aid, dental and nutritional materials.
Lesson Plan Implementation Implements lesson plans and assists staff for the purpose of helping to enrich and maintain a safe environment both physically as well as emotionally and working with parent(s) to identify child's focus areas and documenting progress.
Health Resource Investigation Investigates new health resources in the community for the purpose of sharing information and resources with staff and family.
Record Maintenance Maintains a variety of manual and electronic files and/or records (e.g. student files, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing reliable information, and complying with District, State and Federal requirements.
Children's Activity Monitoring Monitors children's activities (e.g. classroom, snacks/lunch, playground, bus runs, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of providing for the safety and welfare of children.
Program Activity Participation Participates in various on site and off site work related program activities (e.g. family staffing, behavior plans, staff training, planning, communication and evaluation activities, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information related to program plans.
Health Screenings Performs health screens (e.g. vision, hearing, height/weight, strabismus, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that children who have not been fully screened by a health care provider are screened and/or referred as required.
Health Record Preparation Prepares health records for the purpose of documenting child's health history and conveying information as may be required.
Record Documentation Prepares records (e.g. classroom activities, individual child observations, program records, etc.) for the purpose of documenting family and child activities as described in the work plan.
Health Information Tracking Tracks ongoing detailed health information on children for the purpose of ensuring services are delivered in conformance with program standards.
Travel Requirements Travels off site for the purpose of performing tasks necessary to support center and/or program operations.
Personnel Assistance Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.
Related Duties Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
Skills Required Skills are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.
Knowledge Required Knowledge is required to perform basic math; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly; and understand multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development; age appropriate activities; and safety practices and procedures.
Abilities Required Ability is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with others; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Some problem solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate.
Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with a variety of groups; adapting to changing work priorities; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; meeting deadlines and schedules; and working with constant interruptions.
Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized routines; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to affect the organization's services.
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 40% sitting, 20% walking, and 40% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.
Experience: Job related experience is required.
Education (Minimum): High school diploma or equivalent.
Equivalency: Must have:
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A CDA credential; or
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Be enrolled in a program leading to an associate or bachelor degree in Early Childhood; or
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Enrolled in a CDA program to be completed in 2 years; or
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An Initial ECE Certification awarded by a WA state community college; or
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Equivalent to an Initial ECE Certification by another state.
FLSA Status: Non Exempt
Approval Date: 7/8/2019
Required Testing:
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Physical exam within 6 weeks of hire and periodic exams every 4 years
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First Aid/CPR certificate within 60 days of hire
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Food Handlers certificate within 30 days of hire
Continuing Education and Training:
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Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses
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Willingness and ability to or currently enrolled in a course to obtain a CDA or in a degree program leading to an AA in Early Childhood
Clearances:
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Criminal Justice and DEL Fingerprint/Background Clearance
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MMR Clearance
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WA State Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Release
Capital Region ESD 113 is an Equal Opportunity Employer
