Preschool Teacher Assistant

Hiring for the 2026-2027 School Year!


Sieda is currently accepting applications for a full-time (36 hrs/wk) Head Start Preschool Teacher Assistant for Mahaska county.


SUMMARY:

The Traveling Teacher Assistant position requires planning and implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print awareness, their understanding and use of language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, their understanding of early math and early science, their problem solving abilities, and their approaches to learning; establishing and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment; supporting the social and emotional development of children; and encouraging the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supporting the development of relationships between children and their families.

• ADDITIONAL TRAINING:
  • Obtain and maintain a Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential that requires ongoing CEU's.
  • Must complete required training hours annually, per Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Center regulations & Head Start Performance Standards.
  • All staff are considered mandatory reporters of child abuse and required to hold a valid training certificate.
  • All staff coming in contact with children are required to have up to date training in CPR, First Aid and Universal Precautions.
  • Participates in pre-service, in-service/other trainings, AEA staffing, staff meetings, and committee work as required.
  • Seeks out professional development through education, role modeling, mentoring, and by utilizing available resources and training opportunities.

• OTHER:
  • Head Start employees must pass a Pre-Employment state criminal record check, then successfully pass a state criminal record check every 2 years while employed in the Child Development unit.
  • Head Start employees must pass a federal criminal record check with-in 6 weeks of employment, then successfully pass a federal criminal record check every 4 years while employed in the Head Start Program.
  • Travel is required both in and outside the service area. Proof of auto insurance and valid driving license is required.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill, and/or ability required to be considered for this position.

FORMAL EDUCATION:

• Must have High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).

• EXPERIENCE:The Head Start Teacher Assistant position requires one year work experience. Experience working in a preschool or child care setting is preferred.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY:

• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office programs, Google docs, and Gmail.
• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Windows based operating system.
• Must collect, enter, and update data into ChildPlus.net an existing Head Start management program with minimal training.
• Must collect, enter, and update data into Teaching Strategies GOLD an existing online early childhood assessment program with minimal training.
• Must perform simple maintenance to keep computers operational.

Salary range for this position is $14.03-$16.48 based on education and experience.

Application deadline is August 31, 2026. Sieda requires resumes for all positions in the organization. Please be certain your resume is complete, up-to-date, and includes dates of employment for past positions.


For additional information please contact:

Ranae Banicky-Assistant Director


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View email address on click.appcast.io


Full Job Description

JOB TITLE: Head Start Teacher Assistant UNIT: Child Development

REPORTS TO: Head Start Center Supervisor FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUMMARY:


The Teacher Assistant position requires planning and implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print awareness, their understanding and use of language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, their understanding of early math and early science, their problem solving abilities, and their approaches to learning; establishing and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment; supporting the social and emotional development of children; and encouraging the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supporting the development of relationships between children and their families.

DUTIES: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs simple duties requiring basic skills as follows:

• Assists Teacher in ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, federal and state regulations to include child care licensing requirements, policies, procedures, and service delivery plans.
• Assists Teacher in planning and implementing weekly lesson plans including developmentally appropriate activities using evidence based curriculums and involves community members in classroom activities as often as is appropriate.
• Assists Teacher in maintaining appropriate, accurate and confidential records on each child focusing on development and individual goals using portfolio development, assessments and input from parents and staff.
• Assists Teacher in providing for the educational and developmental needs of individual children by adapting to services and activities in all Head Start component areas (nutrition, health, dental, education, development, family services, and mental health).
• Assists Teacher in planning and implementing activities for children in an environment which is safe, healthy, enriching and conducive to the maximum social, cognitive, and physical development of each child.
• Assists Teacher in with grantee efforts in recruitment of children who are eligible for Head Start.
• Assists Teacher in facilitating the transition of Head Start children to the next educational facility.
• Assists Teacher in providing supervision and management of children and adults in classroom and outdoor setting to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment.
• Assists Teacher in providing a classroom environment of respect for each individual child through the use of positive discipline strategies, language development, social-emotional experiences, and a balance of child initiated and Teacher initiated activities.
• Assists Teacher in implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to establish the social culture and behavioral supports needed for all students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success.
• Assists Teacher in communicating regularly with supervisor, program staff, volunteers, and community partners (including, but not limited to, school district, meal site, consultants, and transportation system representatives) to ensure the highest quality services to children and families.
• Assists Teacher in maintaining regular contact with parents, through phone calls, notes, newsletters, parent group meetings, home visits/conferences, and other educational activities.
• Assists with Parent Teacher Conferences and home visits as requested by Teacher.
• Assists Teacher in encouraging parent participation in classroom activities, curriculum planning, parent group meetings, and home based parent/child activities.
• Attends and participates in all center functions as scheduled, literacy events, and other educational activities.
• Assists Teacher in assuming other center staff responsibilities as needed to assure continuity of services and adequate staff coverage. (Including, but not limited to, bus monitor, nutrition aide, cook, janitor, etc.)
• Assists Teacher in maintaining documentation as required and summits in a timely manner.
• Assists Teacher in completing facility inventories as required. Notify Center Supervisor of inventory needed for effective service delivery.
• Other duties determined necessary to support the Child Development Team in achieving the goals of the Head Start Program.
• This position may require travel between classrooms and the counties we serve depending on program staffing needs.

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

• Receives on-going supervision regarding task guidelines and completion.

DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY:

• Limited independent decision-making authority.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING:

• Obtain and maintain a Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential that requires ongoing CEU's.
• Must complete required training hours annually, per Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Center regulations & Head Start Performance Standards.
• All staff are considered mandatory reporters of child abuse and required to hold a valid training certificate.
• All staff coming in contact with children are required to have up to date training in CPR, First Aid and Universal Precautions.
• Participates in pre-service, in-service/other trainings, AEA staffing, staff meetings, and committee work as required.
• Seeks out professional development through education, role modeling, mentoring, and by utilizing available resources and training opportunities.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATION:

• Requires interaction with staff and customers in a limited role.

PROGRAM DESIGN AND PLANNING:

• Involved in the planning of limited areas within the Head Start program reflective of his/her job responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• None

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supports and models the agency's and unit's mission, vision, and values.
• Maintain a regular attendance pattern to assure continuity of services and adequate staff coverage.
• Demonstrate professional behavior at all times including appearance and maintaining an orderly functioning classroom and office areas.
• Treat all individuals in a courteous, non-judgmental, reasonable and confidential manner.
• Must uphold the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics and Head Start Standards of Conduct.
• Accepts responsibility as a member of the team and works cooperatively with all staff for the benefit of children and their families to meet identified goals.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to speak comfortably and effectively one-to-one or in group settings.

• Ability to demonstrate good listening skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret most complex documents.
• Ability to respond effectively to customer/staff complaints.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and take appropriate action based on compliance with established rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to convey information to staff, parents and members of the local community.

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.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, move quickly, use hand to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds, climb stairs, pick up and move children and/or equipment.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close, distant and peripheral vision.
• Head Start employees must pass a Pre-Employment Physical and TB Screen, then successfully pass a physical exam and TB screen every 3 years while employed in the Head Start Program.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• The work environment is both inside and outside.
• The noise level of the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER:

• Head Start employees must pass a Pre-Employment state criminal record check, then successfully pass a state criminal record check every 2 years while employed in the Child Development unit.
• Head Start employees must pass a federal criminal record check with-in 6 weeks of employment, then successfully pass a federal criminal record check every 4 years while employed in the Head Start Program.
• Travel is required both in and outside the service area. Proof of auto insurance and valid driving license is required.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill, and/or ability required to be considered for this position.


FORMAL EDUCATION:

• Must have High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).

EXPERIENCE:

The Head Start Teacher Assistant position requires one year work experience. Experience working in a preschool or child care setting is preferred.