On-Call Substitute Teacher

About Neighborhood House

Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency providing social services for children, families, seniors, and people experiencing food and housing insecurity. We have been engaging in anti-poverty work for 120 years, offering a safety net to ensure that our community has the support they need to thrive.

Our Head Start Program

Neighborhood House’s Head Start program provides an opportunity for participants to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that emphasizes parents as primary teachers, a co-operative environment between families, teachers, family advocates, home visitors, and other staff, connection to community resources, and learning through child-led play. Our program is designed to meet the needs of and to provide school readiness skills to all eligible children, including those with special needs and disabilities, so our community’s children and families are stronger for life.

POSITION SUMMARY

The On-Call Substitute supports the mission of Neighborhood House’s Early Childhood and Head Start programs, providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. This position serves as a flexible classroom support, filling in for classroom staff as needed at any of Neighborhood House’s four licensed sites, housing 13 classrooms, across West Portland Multnomah County. 

Substitutes may be called on short notice to provide coverage for staff absences, ensuring continuity of care and compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) Child Care Licensing Regulations.

While hours are not guaranteed, substitutes must maintain availability for at least two (2) days per week, including the ability to work up to 8 hours per day when called in. This is a non-benefited position. 

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

CLASSROOM SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT

• Support and maintain a positive, inclusive, and safe classroom environment that aligns with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) strategies and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Follow established lesson plans, routines, and transitions created by the classroom teaching team.
• Engage actively with children through play, conversation, and intentional learning experiences that foster curiosity, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all children by maintaining active supervision and adhering to all agency health and safety procedures.
• Assist with daily routines including mealtime support, cleanup, rest time, diapering, and toileting following Oregon licensing standards and Head Start health policies.
• Support documentation of attendance, meal counts, and other daily classroom records as directed by assigned classroom staff or Site Supervisor.
• Maintain classroom materials and support a clean, organized, and welcoming learning environment.

EDUCATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION

• Support curriculum implementation consistent with Creative Curriculum and Head Start Performance Standards under direction from regular classroom staff.
• Foster meaningful interactions with children that promote language development, emotional regulation, and early learning outcomes.

COLLABORATION AND PROFESSIONALISM

• Follow direction from assigned classroom staff and Site Supervisor to ensure consistency in program quality and classroom management.
• Maintain positive and respectful communication with staff, children, and families.
• Maintain required continuing education hours (15 hours per licensing year) with options to attend free in-house training days to meet these requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of all children, family, and staff information in accordance with agency policy and federal law (FERPA and HIPAA, as applicable).
• Model Neighborhood House’s mission and values through equitable and culturally responsive practice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

REQUIRED SKILLS, ABILITIES, COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Knowledge of Early Childhood Development: Understanding of developmental milestones and best practices in supporting children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in a classroom setting.
• Adaptability and Commitment: Demonstrated ability to work flexibly across multiple classrooms and program sites within West Multnomah County, maintaining consistent availability of at least two (2) days per week.
• Collaboration and Professionalism: Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with children, families, and staff; commitment to maintaining confidentiality and upholding all agency and regulatory standards.
• Equity and Inclusion: Ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations and to model equitable, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices.
• Vigilance and Responsiveness: Capacity to actively monitor classroom and outdoor environments, respond promptly to children’s needs, and maintain the safety and well-being of all participants.
• Physical Agility and Endurance: Ability to perform frequent physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, stooping, and sitting on the floor or in child-sized furniture throughout the day; must be able to lift or carry up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Emergency Preparedness: Readiness to respond calmly and effectively in emergency or crisis situations, including administering CPR and First Aid to preschool-age children and participating in building evacuation procedures.
• Reliability and Accountability: Ability to follow established classroom routines, accept direction from assigned staff, and complete assigned tasks with consistency and attention to detail.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Credentialing Requirements:

At minimum, candidates must hold a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), Preschool or Infant/Toddler or an Early Childhood Education Certificate, or Equivalent qualifications placing candidates at Step 7 or higher on the Oregon Registry (ORO).

*Applicants must provide transcripts, diplomas, or Oregon Registry Step Certificates to validate educational attainment.

Experience:

• Teaching Experience: Minimum of one year of teaching experience in a Certified Childcare Center or similar group care program catering to children aged 0-5.

Additional Requirements:

• Transportation: Access to reliable transportation to ensure the ability to report to multiple locations across North and Southwest Multnomah County.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential for effective interaction with colleagues, families, and children.
• Professional Boundaries: Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries with families to ensure a positive and respectful working relationship.
• Computer Literacy: Intermediate proficiency in computer skills, including familiarity with applications such as databases, spreadsheets, word processing, email, and internet usage.
• Background Checks: Successful completion of applicable background checks and registration with the Oregon Central Background Registry prior to commencing employment.
• Health and Safety Compliance: Completion of appropriate Fit for Duty and TB Testing in accordance with Head Start regulations before the date of hire to ensure compliance with health and safety standards

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, CREDENTIALS AND/OR REGISTRATIONS

• Central Background Registry Number: Successful registration with the Oregon Central Background Registry is mandatory prior to commencing employment.
• Oregon Registry Step: Minimum attainment of Step 7 in the Oregon Registry Online Database (ORO) is required to demonstrate competency and qualifications for the role.
• First Aid/CPR Certification: Possession of valid First Aid and CPR certification is mandatory. If not already certified, candidates must obtain certification within 90 days from the date of hire to ensure readiness to respond to emergency situations effectively.
• Food Handler's Card: Acquisition of a Food Handler's card is required within 30 days from the date of hire, demonstrating compliance with food safety regulations and protocols.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands outlined below are essential for the successful performance of this role. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to fulfill these duties.

• Communication Skills: Regular talking and hearing abilities are necessary to effectively communicate with colleagues, children, and families.
• Extended Periods of Sitting/Standing: The employee will frequently sit or stand for extended periods while utilizing a computer monitor and keyboard. Additionally, the ability to stand and walk is required.
• Manual Dexterity: Frequent use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects and equipment is essential for conducting various tasks.
• Range of Motion: The employee may be required to reach with hands and arms, kneel, or crouch as part of daily duties.
• Lifting and Moving: Occasional lifting and/or moving of up to 50 pounds may be necessary to handle equipment or assist children as needed.
• Visual Acuity: Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, are required to perform tasks accurately.

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is consistently exposed to high noise levels typical of a classroom environment.