Bilingual Teaching Assistant (55498)

Purpose

We are seeking to hire someone with proven effectiveness in working with parents and families from a range of cultural backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion to fill the role of a Bilingual Teaching Assistant. This person will develop, coordinate, and implement classroom support as part of early childhood preschool education for enrolled children and support services in both English and Spanish. They will also work to enhance children’s development and learning environments through a combination of parent coaching, groups, and direct support.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide support to all classrooms by knowing all routines and schedules, stepping into class when a substitute or extra support is needed
• Assist children in performing scheduled activities, monitor children’s progress in instructional programs, monitor and reinforce appropriate child behavior and safety, maintain children’s cleanliness
• Assist with classroom set-up and clean up, maintain and prepare classroom supplies, maintain and clean up toys and equipment, record classroom attendance, prepare art activities
• Supervise and maintain kitchen in clean order, maintain kitchen supplies, compile shopping lists for snacks, complete shopping for classroom snacks, do laundry
• Attend monthly department meetings, and quarterly All-Staff meetings
• Provide support to educators, therapists, and other departments
• Collaborate with staff daily and work as a team member
• Complete other duties as assigned by Teaching Assistant Manager, Bothell Education Department Manager, and others

Required Education & Experience

• High School Graduate
• AA/BA College Graduate preferred
• Proficient in speaking, reading and writing both English and Spanish.
• Related work experience
• Demonstrate skill in word processing and familiarity with MS Word and Excel
• Demonstrate professional interpersonal skills over the phone and in person

Key Competencies

• Bilingual Communication & Cultural Competency — Proficiency in English and Spanish, with the ability to build trusting relationships with children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Early Childhood Education & Child Development Support — Ability to support classroom activities, monitor children’s progress and behavior, promote safety, and create nurturing learning environments.
• Family Engagement & Parent Coaching — Skilled in collaborating with parents and families through coaching, group activities, and direct support, with a strong commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Teamwork & Professional Collaboration — Effective collaborator who can work closely with educators, therapists, and other departments while adapting to changing classroom and staffing needs.
• Classroom Organization & Administrative Skills — Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage classroom routines, supplies, attendance, preparation/clean-up, and basic MS Word/Excel tasks.

• Pass Washington State DSHS criminal history and background check and FBI fingerprint check
• Strictly maintain the confidentiality of all client information in accordance with privacy regulations and organizational policies
• Have access to a dependable personal vehicle for transportation purposes
• Possess a valid Washington State driver's license and maintain valid automobile insurance coverage
• Be able to lift 40 pounds
• Pass tuberculosis test
• Be CPR/First Aid certified or willing to become certified
• Provide documentation of a negative tuberculosis test result
• Provide proof of current immunizations, including COVID-19 and Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccines, or submit a titer test result demonstrating immunity*

*Kindering is subject to multiple executive orders requiring all employees to be vaccinated or apply and be approved for a sincerely held religious belief or medical exemption. We require those supervising and providing in-person services to children to be vaccinated and are unable to accommodate any exceptions. For other positions that can be accommodated, employees must apply and be approved for a sincerely held religious belief or medical exemption.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: 
The information described below represents the activities and surroundings one may encounter when performing the duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Primarily works in an early childhood classroom environment with frequent periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, and active engagement with young children.
• Requires frequent verbal and nonverbal communication with children, parents, educators, therapists, and other staff, often in a busy and active classroom setting.
• Regularly assists with classroom setup and cleanup, organizing supplies and equipment, preparing activities, maintaining cleanliness, and completing light laundry and kitchen duties.
• May occasionally lift, carry, or assist young children and move classroom materials, toys, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.

This is a full-time position with elective time off, paid time off, and 11 paid holidays per year. Kindering’s full-time employees are provided comprehensive benefits including medical, vision, dental benefits with a Health Savings Account (HSA) for qualified individuals, company-paid life and disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 403(b), paid and elective time off, tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities, Mimi Siegel Fellowship and Department of Health License reimbursement, and more.

About Kindering  

Kindering embraces children of diverse abilities and their families by providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage, and the skills to soar. As a nonprofit neurodevelopmental center, we have provided comprehensive services for children with special needs and their families since 1962. Kindering is dedicated to maintaining a highly trained, licensed, and certified team of professionals. Current services include comprehensive developmental assessments; physical, occupational, speech, language, and infant mental health therapy; special education; family counseling; nutrition and feeding therapy; childcare consultation; parenting education; and family resource coordination. Kindering’s vision for equity is I BELONG. Eradicate systemic racial and oppressive barriers so everyone succeeds. Kindering values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We aim to seek out people from systemically oppressed and marginalized backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ, immigrants, and refugees. 

Kindering is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive work environment and to building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our community.  

The statements contained in this job description are not necessarily all inclusive; additional duties may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.