Head Start Assistant Teacher 2026-27 School Year

We are currently seeking candidates for the upcoming school year! Are you passionate about early childhood education and eager to make a difference? As an Assistant Teacher, you’ll play a vital role in preparing and facilitating a nurturing and engaging environment for Head Start preschoolers. Help us enhance children’s health, nutrition, education, and overall well-being. Apply today and be a part of shaping young minds!

Estimated start date: Early-August

Locations: Bend, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine

Compensation: $25.66/hour (+0 .50 for Bilingual Spanish) - Union represented

Hours: 35-40 hours/week (based on location), subject to normal school year furloughs (approximately 12-16 weeks per year based on position and location)

Benefits: 100% premium paid Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance, Agency paid Retirement plan (up to 6 %!), almost 2 weeks of paid vacation accrued within first year, plus 14 paid Holidays annually and a separate sick leave accrual. 

NeighborImpact’s Head Start Program Overview

NeighborImpact Head Start is a comprehensive early education program serving children and families in Central Oregon. It integrates high-quality pre-kindergarten education with essential services such as health, nutrition, and family advocacy. Operating across multiple sites, NeighborImpact Head Start supports social competence, school readiness, and overall well-being of children from ages three to five.

Overview of Key Duties and Responsibilities:

We are seeking candidates for the upcoming school year with an estimated start date in Early-August 2026.

The Assistant Teacher role involves supporting the Head Start classroom teacher and the Center Team by participating in daily preschool classroom activities. This position will play a key role in preparing and facilitating both indoor and outdoor activities, executing age-appropriate educational tasks, aiding in meal distribution, and contributing to the upkeep of precise written records. Additionally, the position encompasses the integration of all Head Start elements to enhance the children's health, nutrition, education, as well as ensuring their safety and well-being.

 Required:

• Educational requirements:

1. Associate or baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 12 ECE credits or equivalent 
2. OR Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which is equivalent to Step 7 on the Oregon Registry
3. OR Current enrollment in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in ECE or equivalent 
4. OR Current enrollment in a child development associate credential (CDA) program to be completed within 2 years AND High school diploma or GED

• Diploma and transcripts are required to validate associate’s degree in early childhood education/related field and to verify ECE/Related coursework
• Competency with Microsoft applications required
• Frequent kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor to attend to children’s needs required. This position is rated as active and occasionally requires the individual to lift 50 pounds
• Must be able to ride a school bus with children for assigned periods of time
• Must have an initial health examination, and a periodic re-examination (as recommended by health care provider)so as to assure that employees do not because of communicable diseases, pose a significant risk to the health or safety of others, that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation. 
• Required prior to date of hire and throughout employment: 

1. Food Handler’s Card
2. Current enrollment in the OR Child Care Division-Criminal History Registry (CBR)
3. Within 60 days of hire, Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification
4. Access to reliable transportation 

• Above certifications must be kept current to remain employed

Preferred:

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Experience in a preschool setting preferred
• Head Start parent or past parent preferred