Student Worker - Early Childhood Education Center

Nevada State University appreciates your interest in employment. To ensure your application process runs smoothly, we ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

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If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact the Human Resources department at (702) 992-2320 or [email protected].

Job Description

Nevada State University invites applications for the position of Student Worker - Early Childhood Education Center. The student worker will support the daily operations of the Nevada State University Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC), a university laboratory school committed to excellence in early childhood education, research, educator preparation, and community engagement. Working under the guidance of the ECEC Administration, Lead Teachers, and Assistant Teachers, the Student Assistant contributes to high quality learning environments that promote children's cognitive, social, emotional, language, and physical development through Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), relationship-based teaching, and evidence informed instructional practices. This position provides meaningful hands-on experience for students interested in education and related professions while fostering professional growth through mentoring, coaching, reflective practice, and collaboration with university faculty and experienced early childhood educators.
 

About the institution:

Nevada State University, a four-year Minority Serving public institution with a statewide mission, is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and largely underserved student population. Designated a Hispanic Serving (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI), Nevada State is a university where teaching and student support are valued above all else.

Nevada State University continues to grow as an institution of higher education. In Fall 2025, the enrollment surpassed 8,400, with 8,287 undergraduate students and 117 graduate students. A majority of our students are first generation, racial/ethnic minorities, parents, and/or returning students, of which 48% are Hispanic, 10% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 10% are Black/African American, and 22% are White.

We celebrate the storied backgrounds of our campus community. We operate with a shared commitment to represent and serve the diverse population of Nevada and to encourage the exchange of ideas that respects and honors the lived experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. We foster a culture of inclusive excellence so our members can live authentically, fully engage, and flourish. In order to strengthen the university and progress its mission, the university dedicates itself to intentional and ongoing reflection to meeting the evolving needs of Nevada State University, the surrounding communities, and the State of Nevada.

We seek applicants who are passionate about working with this promising student population and collaborating with faculty and staff across departments to make a lasting impact in developing our institution and our community.

We encourage you to highlight your background in fostering an inclusive campus culture and supporting the success of students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.

About the Early Childhood Education Center:

The Nevada State College, Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) focuses on supporting the developmental needs of typically and atypically developing, 3-5 year-old children, in preschool classrooms. Our children learn in a natural, experiential, age-appropriate manner through hands-on, play-based curriculum. To promote early literacy skills, we apply current neurobiological and social-science to positively impact brain development through meaningful relationships with the children and their families. We value and encourage student voice! We focus on social emotional learning by supporting our youngest learners utilizing an approach that focuses on safety, connection and problem-solving. This encourages intrinsic motivation, a growth mindset and a love of learning. Our small class sizes, 16 children, with 3 teachers in each classroom, a Lead Teacher, an Assistant Teacher and an Undergraduate Student Intern, allow for very low child to teacher ratios (1:5/6), and for multiple opportunities throughout the day to create intentional learning opportunities that are based on what a child needs for their individual growth in the areas of early childhood development. 

Core Responsibilities:

Classroom Support and Child Development

• Assist with classroom routines, learning experiences, and daily instructional activities for individual children, small groups, and whole group experiences.
• Support the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practice through research based instructional strategies under the guidance of classroom teaching staff.
• Maximize opportunities for active engagement, exploration, inquiry, and meaningful learning throughout the instructional day.
• Provide continuous active supervision by maintaining awareness of children's locations, engagement, safety, and individual needs while fostering meaningful conversations that promote language development, critical thinking, and positive relationships.
• Foster nurturing relationships that support each child's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.
• Promote problem solving, emotional regulation, cooperation, and conflict resolution using positive guidance strategies.
• Assist children with personal care, health, safety, and sanitary needs in a respectful and developmentally appropriate manner.
• Assist with attendance, meals, transitions, playground supervision, arrival, dismissal, and other daily classroom routines.
• Support classroom management by encouraging positive behavior expectations and maintaining safe, engaging learning environments.
   

Classroom Operations and Program Support

• Prepare instructional materials and classroom resources including copying, laminating, binding, creating visual supports, preparing learning materials, organizing classroom supplies, and maintaining learning environments.
• Assist with classroom organization, documentation, environmental preparation, and educational displays that reflect high standards of professionalism, accuracy, and quality.
• Support inventory management and routine classroom supply requests as assigned.
• Utilize classroom technology and university supported educational technology to enhance learning and program operations.
• Assist in classrooms and program areas as assigned to support the operational needs of the Center.
   

Professional Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with ECEC Administration, Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, university faculty, Student Assistants, practicum students, volunteers, and community partners to advance the mission and vision of the Early Childhood Education Center and Nevada State University.
• Participate in orientation, coaching, ongoing professional development, training opportunities, reflective practice, and continuous learning experiences.
• Contribute to a positive, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture characterized by professionalism, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate initiative, flexibility, reliability, and a willingness to support program needs across classrooms when appropriate.
• Support the learning experiences of observation students, practicum students, student teachers, volunteers, and visitors.
• Attend staff meetings and professional learning opportunities as scheduling permits.
   

Program Quality and Compliance

• Support the ECEC's commitment to excellence by helping maintain compliance with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation Standards, Nevada Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) expectations, the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS), Nevada Child Care Licensing Regulations, Southern Nevada Health District requirements, and all applicable university policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality of all student, family, and university information while demonstrating sound professional judgment and ethical conduct.
• Become familiar with emergency procedures and actively participate in required emergency drills and safety protocols.
   

Professional Expectations

• Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, initiative, accountability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Model respectful communication, empathy, integrity, collaboration, and ethical conduct with children, families, colleagues, university partners, and community members.
• Represent the Early Childhood Education Center and Nevada State University with professionalism and a commitment to excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned that support the successful operation of the Early Childhood Education Center.
   

Professional Growth Opportunities

• Through this position, Student Assistants will have the opportunity to develop the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for success in education and related professions. Student Assistants will have opportunities to:
• Apply Developmentally Appropriate Practice to support children's learning, development, and well being across daily routines and learning experiences.
• Build positive, responsive relationships with young children, families, and colleagues through effective communication and relationship centered practices.
• Develop professionalism through reliability, ethical conduct, confidentiality, accountability, and reflective practice.
• Strengthen collaboration and communication skills while working within interdisciplinary teams in a university laboratory school.
• Develop practical skills in classroom organization, instructional preparation, educational technology, documentation, and program operations.
• Gain experience with observation, documentation, and reflective decision making to support children's development and continuous program improvement.
• Develop an understanding of quality standards in early childhood education, including NAEYC Accreditation Standards, Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Nevada Child Care Licensing requirements, QRIS, ECERS, and health and safety regulations.
• Strengthen leadership, adaptability, problem solving, organizational skills, and professional confidence through meaningful participation in the daily operations of the Center.
• Explore career pathways in education, child development, psychology, social work, public administration, business, and related professions through mentorship and hands on experience.
• Contribute to a professional learning community that values curiosity, collaboration, compassion, innovation, and lifelong learning.
   

Required Certifications and Ongoing Employment Requirements

• Successfully complete and maintain all background investigations required by Nevada Child Care Licensing and Nevada State University.
• Maintain current tuberculosis testing and all health clearances required under Nevada Child Care Licensing regulations.
• Complete and maintain the required twenty four (24) hours of annual professional development required by Nevada Child Care Licensing.
• Complete all required university, state, and program specific trainings as assigned.
• Maintain all certifications, trainings, and compliance requirements as a condition of continued employment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current enrollment as a degree seeking student at Nevada State University with a minimum enrollment of 6 credit hours during the current or upcoming semester.
• Maintain good academic standing with Nevada State University and a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
• Pursuing a degree or minor in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, Child Development, Psychology, Speech Language Pathology, Social Work, Human Development, Family Studies, Counseling, or another discipline that supports the learning, development, health, or wellbeing of young children and families.
• Previous experience working with children from birth through eight years of age in educational, childcare, recreational, volunteer, or community settings. Experience may include babysitting, preschool programs, licensed child care, camps, after school programs, faith-based programs, or other child focused environments.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally and work collaboratively with children, families, faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and represent the Early Childhood Education Center and Nevada State University with professionalism and integrity.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, including active supervision of young children, frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, lifting classroom materials, and participating in indoor and outdoor learning experiences.
• Successful completion of all background investigations and fingerprinting required by Nevada Child Care Licensing and Nevada State University prior to employment.
• Current tuberculosis (TB) screening and all health clearances required by Nevada Child Care Licensing prior to employment and maintained throughout employment.
• Ability to complete and maintain the 24 hours of annual professional development required by Nevada Child Care Licensing.
• Ability to maintain all required university, state, and program specific certifications, trainings, and compliance requirements as a condition of continued employment.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor employment-related visas).

Please note: Applicants must meet the posted minimum qualifications at the time of application in order to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential or progress toward completion of a CDA or related early childhood credential.
• One year or more of experience working with children from birth through eight years of age in an early childhood education, preschool, licensed child care, laboratory school, or other high quality learning environment.
• Experience implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and supporting children's cognitive, social, emotional, language, and physical development.
• Experience in a National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited program or familiarity with NAEYC Accreditation Standards and quality improvement practices.
• Experience supporting children in inclusive learning environments that promote equitable access, belonging, and individualized support for children with diverse abilities and backgrounds.
• Coursework in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Special Education, Psychology, Human Development, Speech Language Pathology, Social Work, Family Studies, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with young children, families, and colleagues through effective communication and collaborative practice.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams, including educators, university faculty, related service providers, or community partners.
• Familiarity with positive guidance practices, relationship-based teaching, and evidence informed approaches to supporting children's learning and development.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous learning and reflective practice.

Work Hours:

This position will work 19.5 hours per week.

Hourly Rate:

$16.00 per hour.

Special Instructions for Internal NSHE Applicants

Nevada State University employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE, UNLV, UNR, NSU, CSN, TMCC, WNC, GBC, or DRI) MUST use the “Browse Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at Nevada State and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Browse Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

Exempt 

No

Full-Time Equivalent

0.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment(s) viewable to you will be the attachment(s) to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment(s) to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment(s) will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at [email protected].

Please upload the following documents: 

• Detailed resume listing relevant qualifications and experience;
• Copy of Fall or Spring schedule and proof of current GPA;
• Cover Letter indicating why you are a good fit for the position and Nevada State University;
• Names and contact information of three references (you will be notified before references are contacted).

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Student candidates are encouraged to visit the Career Services Center (RSC 128 | 702-992-2611 | [email protected]) to receive assistance with their resume, cover letter, and/or interview skills.

Posting Close Date

06/30/2027

Note to Applicant

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

  

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

  

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

  

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

  

Nevada State University does not currently sponsor Visas, all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nevada State University