Job Description

Posting number: FY2627-00075

Department: Instruction

Division: Children's Center

Job classification: Toddler & Preschool Assistant Teacher (Children's Center)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Education, Miscellaneous, Higher Education

Summary

DEFINITION

Under the general supervision of the Instructional Assistant (Lead Classroom Teacher), and Children’s Center Director, support, all activities related to the children’s classroom environment at the Cuesta College Early Childhood Education program. This includes supervising and guiding toddler or preschool children in developmentally appropriate social, emotional, physical, language, creative and cognitive activities. Assistant teachers should be able to communicate effectively with children, staff, students, faculty and parents.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Assistant Teacher must have the ability to demonstrate appropriate guidance practices and procedures taught through the Cuesta College Early Childhood Education program. Applicant must be able to model respectful, responsive, and reciprocal interaction as part of the daily curriculum.

This position supports and promotes student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by ensuring a quality program and services for children and their families and ensuring compliance with State licensing requirements.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work

Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

• Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
• The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
• Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
• We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/benefits/index.html

Examples of duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Support the Instructional Assistant/Lead Teacher in all aspects of the classroom environment;
• Participate in planning weekly/monthly lessons, snack menus and classroom activities;
• Be a role model for students, children, and families;
• Ongoing role modeling and demonstration of Developmentally, Individually, and Culturally Appropriate Practices;
• Assist in maintaining a safe and healthy environment;
• Willing to lead in the absence of the Instructional Assistant/Lead Teacher;
• Be a team player with all center staff and activities;
• Support cooperative relationships with Instructional Assistant/Lead Teacher, Staff, Parents, Students and Faculty;
• Willingness to participate in yearly rotation from toddler room through the preschool classrooms, practicing continuity by rotating with same groups of children;
• Participate in assessing and conferencing with families about their children; and
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

• Minimum 24 ECE and general education units equal to an Associate of Arts Degree
• 12 units of ECE must include the core courses including child/human growth & development, child/family/community or child family relations; and program/curriculum. Applicant must have a minimum of three semester units or four quarter units in each of the core areas.
• Knowledge of philosophies of the Program for Infant and Toddler Care.
• To have completed or have the ability to take a 3-unit infant and toddler course (as required by licensing for work with infants and toddlers) within one year of employment.
• Must be enrolled and maintain continued enrollment in coursework leading to an AA/AS or BA/BS degree in Child Development, other related field or a BA/BS in any other discipline

Experience:

Required

• Minimum one year experience working in a CA State Licensed preschool or toddler center based program working 3 hours per day as an employee, laboratory student or combination of the two

Preferred

• Completion of Laboratory or Supervised Field Experience equal to ECE 216;
• Experience working in a college ECE laboratory school.

Knowledge of:

• Current technologies, personal computer, and associated office software such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and/or database software;
• Correct usage of English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; and
• District policies and procedures.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; and
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Physical ability to:

• Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;
• See for the purpose of reading children’s books, laws and codes, rules and policies and other printed matter;
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels;
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions;
• Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time both indoors and outdoors;
• Bend, twist, push and pull, stoop, kneel, crawl, and climb;
• Lift and/or carry 50 pounds for the purpose of picking up and lifting a child;
• Sit on floor and/or small tables and chairs;
• Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation; and
• Perform other duties as requested.

License and Certificates:

Required

• Hold or willing to apply for a Child Development Permit at the Associate Teacher level or above;
• Possess or obtain current First Aid and CPR Certification;
• Possess a current California driver’s license;
• Current TB Clearance;
• Up to date with all required immunizations according to the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing; must include Measles and Pertussis, Flu preferred.

Qualifications

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY

Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

1. Cover letter;
2. Resume;
3. Reference List (see further instructions below);
4. Unofficial transcripts;
5. Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/community/publicsafety/crime-information/clery-act.html

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Supplemental information

Selected applicants will be invited to attend an in-person interview on Monday, December 14, 2026.