Early Childhood Assistant

Department: Early Childhood CARES
Classification: Early Childhood Assistant
Appointment Type and Duration: Academic Year (Classified), Ongoing
Salary: Position range: $18.06 - $22.84 an hour
FTE: 1.0

Review of Applications Begins

For full consideration, apply by August 21, 2026. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure consideration please upload a current resume with your online application.

Department Summary

The Early Childhood CARES program is a department within the College of Education. Early Childhood CARES stands for Early Childhood Coordination Agency for Referrals, Evaluations, and Services. Early Childhood CARES provides Early Intervention (EI) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services to infants, toddlers, and preschool children in Lane County with developmental delays and disabilities. Early Childhood CARES is funded by the Oregon Department of Education and is one of nine programs in Oregon delivering EI/ECSE services across the state.

Position Summary

The purpose of this position is to assist Early Childhood CARES Specialists in preparing and using appropriate curriculum to promote growth and learning in all developmental areas for children receiving EI/ECSE services. The Early Childhood Assistant will help implement individualized goals and objectives and facilitate integration into community preschools. The Assistant may observe and record specific behavioral data as well as targeted goals and objectives, and communicate with program staff, consultants, related service providers, and parents.

This position reports to the EC CARES Classroom Support Coordinator. The Assistant will be working with children birth to school age with disabilities.

Physical demands:
• Frequent lifting of children.
• Sitting on the floor for extended periods of time.
• Bending down to the child's level often, following safety measures in bending and lifting.
• Performing caregiving activities for children if needed; diapering, toileting, feeding, and arrival/departure routines.

Work Conditions:
• Frequent exposure to childhood illnesses.

Special Requirements:
• Position is subject to background checks, including criminal record checks and fingerprinting.
• Current enrollment in the Oregon Employment Department Child Care Division Central Background Registry is required for employment.

Minimum Requirements

• A minimum of twenty semester hours (thirty quarter hours) of college courses in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Special Education; OR
• A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; OR
• One year of full-time experience in a certified day care center or comparable child care program.

Professional Competencies

• Knowledge and understanding of a variety of strategies (e.g. activity-based instruction, positive behavior supports, discrete trial) to implement appropriate interventions within classroom activities and daily routines with guidance and direction from a supervisor.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to respect and maintain confidentiality; comply with HIPAA and FERPA privacy and security rules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Training or experience working with children with developmental disabilities

FLSA Exempt: No

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

This is a classified position represented by the SEIU Local 503, Oregon Public Employees Union.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or ca