Head Start Substitute Teacher Aide

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HEAD START SUBSTITUTE PRESCHOOL TEACHER AIDE

SALARY:    $20.99 per hour, with progressive increases to $24.71 per hour (variable schedule, minimum 4 hours per week)

OPENING DATE:     October 16, 2026

CLOSING DATE:     until filled

LOCATION:  Lynnwood, Everett, and Monroe, Washington

DESCRIPTION:   

Every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment to learn and grow. As a Head Start Substitute Teacher Aide (Early Childhood Program Specialist 1), you will play a crucial role in maintaining classroom continuity and support for young children in the absence of regular classroom teachers.

In this role, you will work a variable schedule filling in as needed across preschool classrooms. You will work under the direction of Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers to assist with classroom activities, meal service, sanitation, and child supervision. We are looking for an adaptable, empathetic individual who exhibits cultural humility and is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive setting for children and families from diverse backgrounds.  The successful candidate will exhibit flexibility and willingness to commute to any of our Head Start centers in Snohomish County, including driving to Monroe to work if needed.

This is a classified position reporting to the Education Site Manager.

For information on applying, please see Application Procedures and Required Documents, below. Position is open until filled.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work directly with young children in a preschool classroom setting, providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment.
• Assist with classroom snack and meal service, as well as regular sanitation and cleaning of the classroom (including the use of brooms, carpet sweepers, mops, vacuums, and cleaning products).
• Assist with setting up the preschool classroom, including moving child-sized furniture, tables, chairs, shelves, and regular-sized shelving units.
• Maintain the health and safety of all children and their environment at all times, ensuring that no child is ever left alone or unsupervised.
• Use an online scheduling system to manage work availability and schedule self for shifts.
• Transport self daily to assigned work sites (assigned to a primary site, but required to work in different classrooms or at different sites including Everett, Lynnwood, or Monroe as needed).
• Perform other duties as assigned by Lead/Assistant Teachers or Education Site Management.

KEY COMPETENCIES & STRENGTHS

We are looking for an adaptable, reliable team player who brings the following competencies to our program:

• Cultural Humility: Deep respect and sensitivity when working with staff and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Teamwork & Flexibility: Ability to work independently while being a strong team player, negotiating priorities flexibly according to program needs.
• Problem Solving: Ability to problem-solve and handle sensitive information and difficult situations tactfully and confidentially.
• Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of and commitment to working in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, Federal, State, and College policies, regulations, and negotiated agreements.
• Communication: Effective communication skills via phone and email to coordinate scheduling and operational needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be age 18 or older.
• A valid Washington State Driver¿s License, personal automobile insurance, and the ability to transport yourself to daily work assignments, off-site trainings, and meetings across sites (Everett, Lynnwood, Monroe).

(See Conditions of Employment section for additional requirements.)

PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is typically performed in a classroom setting, and onsite/in-person. Must be able to climb stairs and walk over uneven surfaces, walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on the floor, lift approximately 50 pounds (on an emergency, as needed basis), sit in a child¿s sized chair, and move quickly from multiple positions and levels.  Excellent communication skills are essential. This includes the ability to speak clearly and fully comprehend written and spoken English and will include communication with people for whom English is not their first language. This also includes the ability to produce clearly written documents. Those who are multilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.  

WORK SCHEDULE:

Part-Time / On-Call (Variable schedule, minimum 4 hours per week based on program need and staff coverage requirements). 

COMPENSATION:  

Salary range 36.  Hourly rate starting at $20.99, with progressive increases to $24.71.  Work is performed from September - May every year.   Sick leave accrued in accordance with Washington State paid sick leave laws and college policies.  11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 3 personal leave days, and 1.13 vacation hours per month (incremental increases to 1.67 vacation hours per month).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• You must document your citizenship or employment authorization within three days of hire.
• Criminal background check.  Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant¿s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• All new positions are contingent upon funding.
• At this time, Edmonds College does not sponsor H1-B Visas.
• Complete, sign, and submit Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

All applicants must apply online.  No paper submissions or emailed materials will be accepted.  Your online application must include the following documents in order to be complete:

• Responses to supplemental questions (part of the online application). (These questions reflect the required and desired qualifications and are used in the screening process. Please provide thorough responses.) 
• Current resume. 
• Cover Letter addressing your qualifications and interest.
• Names and contact information for three references.
• For veterans¿ preference, please scan and attach your DD214, Member-4 Form.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE:

Established in 1967, Edmonds College is a public community and technical college serving south Snohomish County. The college is guided by a mission centered on Teaching, Learning, and Community, with a strong commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement.  It serves about 18,000 students annually, including more than 800 international students from more than 55 countries. The college offers nearly 66 associate degrees and 111 professional certificates in 30 programs of study. Its highest enrolled programs are the Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degrees, Paralegal, Allied Health (pre-nursing degree), Business/Accounting, Construction Management, and Culinary Arts. The college is located in the center of the growing south Snohomish County communities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, and Woodway. For more information, visit www.edmonds.edu. 

EEO/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:

The college provides equal opportunity in education and in employment per state and federal law. The college prohibits discrimination against any person due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), disability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. For questions about our nondiscrimination policy or gender equality and athletic teams, contact Kathy Smith (Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator/Investigator); Clearview Building, Room 122B; kathy.smith@edmonds.edu, 425.640.1814.

JEANNE CLERY STATEMENT:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of Edmonds College¿s commitment to safety and security on campus, the College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Edmonds College¿s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.edmonds.edu/student-services/campus-safety-and-emergency-preparedness/clery-act/default.html.