Early Childhood Associate - Garton Elementary

THIS POSITION IS FOR THE

2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

The start of employment for this position will be August 14th, 2026.

The salary listed is based on the 2025-2026 school year salary schedule and is subject to change for the 2026-2027 school year.

There is a $2,000.00 hiring bonus for this position paid over 24 pay periods (1 year). Bonus is not applicable for current DMPS employees.

There are two openings

JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Associate / Early Childhood Special Education Associate

POSTION TYPE: Non Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Teaching & Learning

REPORTS TO: Building Principal

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Associates degree or higher in early childhood education or related field or willingness to obtain certification listed below.
• Work Experience: N/A
• Licensure or Certification: If the education requirements above are not met, candidate must be willing to obtain a Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential or Para Educator I: Generalist and Para Educator II: Early Childhood certification from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Desired:

• Experience working with preschool children in an early childhood program.
• Basic computer skills.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

BASIC FUNCTION:

Assist teachers in the instruction, supervision and care of all students. The essential functions as shown below represent only the key areas of responsibility; specific position requirements will vary depending on the needs of the students and department.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Supervise students in all assigned areas, including bus loading and unloading.
• Contribute to curriculum planning and implementation.
• Supervise meals or snacks with children, modeling appropriate etiquette and mealtime conversations.
• Under teacher direction, follow behavior management plans for individual students and implement specific strategies to maintain behavior and de-escalate inappropriate behavior.
• Assist in record keeping, instruction, monitoring progress, and data collection.
• Perform personal care duties such as feeding, toileting/diapering, and positioning.
• Participate in all district and department required trainings, including first aid, CPR, and mandatory child and adult abuse training.
• Participate in family orientation and parent or Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings as required.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to create an environment that is safe, nurturing, and child centered.
• Ability to clarify and reinforce teacher directions.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Attend work on a prompt and regular
• Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other

EVALUATES: Not Applicable
POSITION INVENTORY: B21

FLSA STATUS: Full Time

FT/PT: Full Time

DAYS: 190 HOURS: 7.5

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Constant Demands: Inside working conditions

Frequent Demands: Standing, Walking,Sitting,telephone,

Lifting 20 lbs for 25 feet, telephone, computer

Occasional Demands: Bending/stooping, Reaching/pushing/pulling,Driving.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Constant indoors, Occasional outside, Occasional extreme temperature/humidity.

The Des Moines Independent Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. If you have questions, concerns or a complaint related to this policy, please contact Carol Wynn-Green, 2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone: 515-242-7709; email: carol.wynngreen@dmschools.org. Complaints can also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004, (515) 281-4121, or Region VII Office for Civil Rights, Citigroup Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475 Chicago, IL 60661-4544

Approved By: DF

Date: 4-20-2026

Employee Benefits Information

All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check. Certain positions may require fingerprinting, a drug and alcohol test, a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check.