Child Development Assistant Teacher

About This Role:

The Department of Applied Human Sciences, within the College of Health and Human Sciences, is seeking a Child Development Assistant Teacher to join their team at the Center for Child Development. The assistant teacher is responsible for providing support to the lead teacher in the areas of designing, planning, and leading activities for children. This position ensures a clean and safe environment for all children in attendance and regularly communicates with teaching staff, parents, and administrators regarding issues that concern the children. This position reports to the Center’s Assistant Director.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assist lead teacher to develop and implement curriculum that fosters development in motor, cognitive, language, social, emotional, and creative domains
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with children and their families
• Create and maintain a positive learning environment in accordance with early childhood standards, regulations, and tools
• Maintain orderly and sanitary conditions by completing tasks on daily cleaning charts and NAEYC Cleaning and Sanitation Frequency Chart in accordance with Center, State, and National guidelines
• Maintain regular contact with the assistant director and lead teacher regarding classroom issues (i.e., challenging behaviors, parent concerns, child absences, suspected abuse/neglect, and suspected developmental delays)
• Model and maintain confidentiality in and outside of the classroom setting in regard to children, parents, staff, students, and volunteers

Why Join Us:

The Department of Applied Human Sciences is dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives through research, teaching, engagement, outreach, service, and clinical intervention. Our faculty, staff, and supervised student specialists provide direct services and outreach to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families through many programs, including the Center for Child Development (CCD) as part of the larger Kansas Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research (KIECER). KIECER’s mission is to generate knowledge and apply the science of child development to education, research, policy, and practice for young children and their families and engage the communities in which they live and grow. We are committed to providing a rich and deep understanding of early childhood development informed by theory, research, and evidence-based practices.

The Center for Child Development (CCD) serves as the clinical training site for students enrolled in the state-approved and nationally accredited undergraduate preservice teacher education program in early childhood education; provides quality childcare to K-State and the larger campus community; is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); is licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE); and meets high-quality food service standards of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

For more information on the Department of Applied Human Sciences and the Center for Child Development: https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/ahs/ and https://www.k-state.edu/ccd/.

The College of Health and Human Sciences is home to six academic departments (Applied Human Sciences; Food, Nutrition, Dietetics & Health; Hospitality Management; Interior Design & Fashion Studies; Personal Financial Planning; and Kinesiology), the Center on Aging, Physician Assistant program, and a Nursing partnership with Wichita State University. The College enrolls more than 2,300 undergraduate and 400 graduate students and employs more than 115 full-time faculty members in teaching, research, and Extension positions (https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/). The College is committed to promoting research, scholarship, creative activity, and discovery with a strategic and cohesive focus on health and human behavior.

Worksite Options:

This position is required to be performed on-site. Work is performed on employer premises or designated assignment location.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma and the following credentials:
  • Five sessions of observation for not less than two and one-half consecutive hours per observation in licensed preschools or child care centers with one year of teaching experience in a licensed center or preschool, or one year of supervised practicum in a licensed center or preschool, OR
  • Seven to nine semester hours of academic credit or equivalent training in child development or early childhood education and three months of teaching experience in a licensed center or preschool, or one year of supervised practicum in a licensed center or preschool

Preferred Qualifications:

• CDA or associate’s degree in early childhood education
• Ability to work under pressure and with distractions
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children, parents, and peers
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time, stoop and bend throughout shift, and sit on floor
• Ability to work inside and outside under varying work and climatic conditions
• Ability to be flexible with work schedule

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment
• Ability to pass a name-based and fingerprint background check, KDHE health assessment, and TB Test
• Ability to lift/move items up to 50 pounds unassisted on a repetitive basis

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Three professional references

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range:

$12.27 – $17.43 per hour