Head Start Center Aide 2026-27 School Year

Description

We are currently seeking candidates for the upcoming school year! Are you looking to start a career in Early Childhood Education? Are you passionate about shaping the future, one child at a time? Join our dedicated team as a Head Start Center Aide, where every day brings a new opportunity to support and inspire young minds! Come to work for one of Oregon’s 100 Best Non-Profits where all your insurance premiums are 100% paid, and you’ll never have to work another weekend!

Estimated start date: Mid-August

Locations: Bend, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine

Compensation: $21.38/hour (plus .50 for Bilingual Spanish) - Union represented

Hours: 35-40 hours/week (based on location), subject to normal school year furloughs (furloughs are approximately a total of 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 mid-August 2026.

The Head Start Center Aide plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of our preschool classroom, supporting a vibrant learning environment for up to 20 children. The Center Aide's responsibilities include the preparation and distribution of nutritious meals, ensuring a clean and organized setting through daily cleaning tasks, and providing necessary breaks for staff members.

Additionally, the aide will carry out various daily tasks as directed by the teaching team. This position not only contributes to the well-being and development of our students but also offers a valuable opportunity for personal growth and career advancement, serving as an ideal steppingstone to the Assistant Teacher role. The successful candidate will be an integral part of our educational team, dedicated to fostering a nurturing and educational atmosphere for our young learners.

Requirements

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 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. Access to reliable transportation

• Within 60 days of hire and then throughout employment, Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification is required
• Above certifications must be kept current to remain employed

Preferred

• Pre-school experience with a Head Start or similar program preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Head Start parent or past parent preferred