Assistant Preschool Teacher (Family Educator 1) - Multiple locations

Applications received by 10/4/26 will be prioritized.

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

The person in this role will support the successful growth and development of children and their families participating in the ECEAP. The program provides comprehensive services designed to support healthy families, empowered individuals, and thriving communities through high-quality early learning and family-centered opportunities. By joining the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) team, you will have the opportunity to positively impact young children’s growth and development and provide support and encouragement to families of young children.  

Why It's a Great Department: 

Pierce County Human Services exists to ensure that every person in our community has the opportunity to live with dignity, stability, and hope. As the county’s community and human services department, we strengthen the local safety net by investing in programs that support people at every stage of life—from early childhood and youth development to housing stability, behavioral health, disability support, and services for seniors, veterans, immigrants, and refugees. Working alongside nearly 170 community-based organizations, local governments, and nonprofit partners, we respond to both urgent needs and long-term challenges with compassion, accountability, and collaboration. Whether helping families stay housed, supporting recovery and wellness, connecting people to food and transportation, or expanding access to opportunity, our work is grounded in the belief that strong communities are built when people are seen, supported, and empowered. Together with our partners, we are committed to creating an inclusive, responsive system of care that helps Pierce County residents not just survive—but thrive.

Learn more about the Human Services Department here.

How to be Successful in the Role: 

Success as a preschool assistant teacher hinges on a combination of skills, attitudes, and practices that contribute to a nurturing and effective learning environment. 

Some skills may include strong communication and active listening, keeping an organized classroom, implementing positive reinforcement, building a positive relationship with children through empathy and understanding, flexibility, and embracing change. By integrating these strategies into your teaching practice, you can create a positive and enriching learning experience while achieving personal and professional success.

The Part-time Limited Duration positions will have more responsibility for preparing the food services for the preschool children.

Your Future in this Role: 

Throughout the onboarding process, you will meet with the Supervisors and teams regularly to discuss expectations, set goals, identify priorities, and gain familiarity with current policies, procedures, and strategic measures. Pierce County offers professional development through our leadership program, robust online learning, and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career. This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment is contingent upon job performance/evaluation, continued funding of the program, and other appropriate County procedures.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

This announcement is not intended to reflect all duties to be performed by our next team member, but shall present a descriptive list of the range of duties that may be performed. To view the complete classification, click here.

Candidates must meet one of the following:

1. Washington State Initial Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate or higher; or
2. A DCYF-approved equivalent.

Alternative Qualification Pathway:

Candidates may also be considered if they possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) and are placed on a DCYF Professional Development Plan (PDP) to obtain the required ECE qualifications.

Continued employment under this alternative qualification pathway is contingent upon successful completion of the required education and credentialing requirements within five (5) years from the date of hire. Failure to successfully complete the requirements within the five-year period may result in separation from employment.

Employees hired pursuant to an approved PDP will be eligible for automatic step increases through step 6. Eligibility for merit steps 7–10 will be contingent upon completion of the education requirements identified in the PDP.

Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:

• A Pediatric First Aide/CPR card and Food Handler’s permit must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
• TB skin test or, for those individuals with a positive skin test, a statement from a doctor or chest x-ray must be furnished upon hire.
• Measles (MMR) immunization record of minimum one dose, lab evidence of immunity, or a medical exemption.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year of experience working with young children in an early learning, preschool, childcare, or other related setting (volunteer or employment).

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

How to Apply:

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style. 

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews. 

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity. 

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment: 

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service. 

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.