Childcare Assistant at Tacoma Community College

Who We Are

Tacoma Community College ( TCC ) is built on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe. The Puyallup people have lived on and stewarded these lands since the beginning of time and continue to do so today. Our college commits to uplifting the voices, experiences, and histories of the Indigenous people of this land and beyond. TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community and we strive to become an anti-racist institution. We are examining racism, both implicit and explicit, as a system of domination, and we seek to identify and abolish it in our policies, procedures, and practices.
 
As the winner of the 2020 Association of Community College Trustees Equity Award for the entire Pacific Region, TCC is committed to recruiting faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse community we serve. We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally underserved populations at TCC including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, the college seeks applicants who will intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and who recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community.  
 
Since opening its doors in 1965, Tacoma Community College has provided a high-quality, affordable education to more than 500,000 people. Serving Tacoma, Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsula, online students and the women’s prisons, TCC educates about 11,000 students annually. Many TCC students are the first in their families to attend college, 58 percent receive financial aid, 13 percent have children, 42 percent are students of color, and 48 percent work while attending school. TCC has multiple campuses: the main campus is in Tacoma, another is in Gig Harbor, and two additional sites are maintained at the Washington Corrections Centers for Women.

Position Summary
This is a part-time hourly position to assist classroom teachers with breaks and planning time in order to meet Early Achievers', NAC, ECEAP, EHS, and DCYF standards.

Essential Functions

• Complies with DSHS requirement (WAC).
• Implements Developmentally Appropriate Practices to address infant, toddler, and preschooler's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
• Implements guidance techniques that respect the individuality of each child.  Responds to children with respect, courtesy, and an understanding of their developmental stage of growth.
• Works with Lead Teacher in planning and implementing curriculum appropriate for toddlers or preschoolers.
• Encourages language development.  Fosters independence and self-help skills.
• Observe each child's development and discusses with the Lead Teacher.
• Functions as a member of a team-oriented staff.  May be assigned duties that relate to supervising, instructing, assigning, and checking the work of others.
• Communicates with Program Manager and Lead Teacher regarding information and insights that effect the efficient and cohesive functioning of the program. This information may relate to the program, children, or parents.
• Participates in staff meeting and in-services.
• Periodically assesses classroom and program strengths and needs, and communicates with Program Manager or Lead Teacher.
• Communicates routinely with parents in an open, professional manner. Refers matters concerning child's development and center policies to Lead Teacher or Program Manager.
• Adheres to policies as stated in the Early Learning Center Handbook and Personnel Handbook.
• Supervises in the absence of core teaching staff. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications 

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Six month experience in an early childhood program.

• One year experience in early childhood setting
• 20 credits of early childhood education OR combination of both
• Experience in an Early Head Start Program
• Infant/Toddler certificate

• Successfully pass a criminal history background check prior to employment, including portable background check and fingerprinting.
• Must possess a valid food handler's card.
• Must obtain a TB Test prior to employment.
• Must possess a valid CPR/First Aid Card.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Ability to bend, reach for items high or low, sit on the floor or low chairs, lift children weighing up to 35 to 45 pounds.

• Ethics, integrity, and sound professional judgment.
• An appreciation of diversity and the benefits of a commitment to cultural awareness and sensitivity in the workplace.
• Commitment to professionalism and confidentiality.
• Skill in building, and maintaining internal/external customer satisfaction.
• Good organizational skills and resourcefulness in problem solving.
• Experience working effectively in a customer service, education or social service delivery setting.
• Ability to be self-directed and work independently in a team environment.
• Must be highly dependable, responsible and possess a good work ethic.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 

Application Process

Application Material & Procedures 
Complete application packages must include the following:

1. Tacoma Community College online application.
2. Resume
3. Cover Letter