Teacher Assistant - Early Head Start
The Teacher Assistant supports the teaching team in maintaining an orderly classroom environment that fosters social-emotional growth and learning for children birth to five years old. This role involves assisting in various classrooms as needed and requires relevant early childhood education credentials and certifications. The position emphasizes a mission-driven approach to serving underserved communities in New Mexico through early childhood education programs.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Teaching / Early Childhood Education.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position Overview
This role supports an early childhood classroom as part of a teaching team in a Head Start / Early Head Start program. You will help maintain a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment that supports children's social-emotional growth, learning, and healthy routines.
- Employment type: Full-time
- Location: Bisti, NM
- Compensation: $18.00 - $18.94 per hour (dependent upon education)
What You’ll Do
- Support the lead teacher in day-to-day classroom operations for infants/toddlers.
- Promote a positive, nurturing, and culturally responsive environment that supports each child’s development.
- Assist with lesson implementation, transitions, meals, diapering/toileting, and nap routines.
- Observe and document children’s progress and share information with the teaching team.
- Help maintain a clean, safe classroom and follow health/safety and Head Start requirements.
- May be reassigned to different classrooms or centers as program needs require.
Qualifications & Minimum Requirements
- At least 18 years of age.
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Must have one of the following (or meet enrollment/transition timelines below):
- Current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for preschool-aged children; OR
- State-awarded certificate for center-based preschool teachers (including the New Mexico Child Development Certificate - CDC); OR
- One-year certificate in Early Childhood Education; OR
- Office of Head Start approved CDA equivalent; OR
- Enrolled within ten business days of hire in an approved program that will be completed within two years; OR
- An Associate or Bachelor’s degree (in any area) or enrolled in a program leading to such a degree.
- Must complete a 45-hour entry-level course (or approved three-credit early care/education course or equivalent approved by the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department) prior to or within six months of hire.
- Experience working with children birth through five years preferred.
- Bilingual (Spanish/English or Navajo/English) preferred.
Certifications & Screening
- Obtain First Aid and BLS/CPR certifications within 30 days of hire; maintain current certification as required.
- Post-offer screenings required:
- Health exam (and annually as required by program policy).
- TB test (and as required upon exposure).
- Criminal background checks required per the federal Head Start Act and New Mexico Administrative Code.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay range: $18.00 - $18.94 per hour (dependent upon education).
- Benefits may include (subject to client eligibility rules):
- Medical, dental & vision insurance
- Nine paid holidays and generous PTO
- Free life & LTD coverage
- Discretionary pension plan contribution
- Robust training program and tuition reimbursement
- Employee recognition and engagement activities
- $100 employee referral bonus (subject to tax withholding and eligibility).
Why You’ll Like This Role
- Mission-driven environment focused on serving families and young children.
- Work in a program that supports rural and underserved communities.
- Opportunities for training, professional development, and educational advancement.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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