Early Childhood Education Jobs for OPT Students

INTRODUCTION

OTC is dedicated to creating a culture that promotes success and wellbeing for our students and employees. Every department and position throughout the college strives to maintain a student-centered focus to create a culture where our students and employees are welcomed and feel safe at every campus and center. OTC applies that same focus to its hiring practices starting with the application process, the onboarding, and new hire expectations. We are committed to understanding the needs of our students and employees and providing them with an experience that represents the OTC Cares culture.

We appreciate your interest and desire to become a member of the OTC team! If you have any questions about job postings, the application process, or the status of an open position, you may reach out to Human Resources at 417-447-2635 or email jobs@otc.edu directly.

If you’re interested in adjunct/part-time teaching, please email your resume to jobs@otc.edu.

JOB TITLE: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER CLASSROOM AIDE

DEPARTMENT: TECHNICAL EDUCATION

LOCATION: Springfield, MO

SALARY RANGE: $15.00 – $15.50

FLSA: NON-EXEMPT

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Early Childhood Education Center Director

SCHEDULE DETAILS: Part-time (Scheduled hours will fall between 7:15 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., not to exceed 19.5 hours per week)

Position Summary

The Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) Classroom Aide is responsible for working cooperatively with Lead Teachers to implement the daily lesson plans and tasks for the classroom. The ECEC Classroom Aide helps create a classroom environment that ensures best practices which supports the development of the whole child.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Assist the Lead Teacher and/or Assistant Teacher with supervision of preschool children in an educational environment that is safe, clean, well-arranged, enriching, and conducive to the development of the whole child.
• Responsible for the classroom environment when the Lead Teacher and/or Assistant Teacher are not present.
• Assist with directing practicum students, work-study assistants, and classroom volunteers.
• Work cooperatively with the Lead Teacher and/or Assistant Teacher in preparing the learning environment (both indoors and outdoors), setting up learning centers, and preparing needed materials and supplies.
• Communicate to the Lead Teacher and/or Assistant Teacher any concerns with the children.
• Demonstrate professional conduct, positive attitude, and supportive culture.
• Effectively collaborate with colleagues to build positive relationships within the preschool environment, the OTC environment, and the community.
• Be cordial/polite with families at all times. Warmly greet children and families upon arrival and departure.
• Work collaboratively with the ECEC Director and ECD Department Chair in managing the daily operations of the Center and promotion of the Early Childhood Development Program.
• Maintain a professional attitude and treat all children, families, and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Maintain confidentiality of children, parents/guardians, fellow staff members, and practicum students, as well as records and all information.
• Know and adhere to the policies of the program in regards to:
• Licensing and accreditation guidelines.
• Communicable diseases and exclusion of sick children.
• First aid and medical emergency.
• Emergency procedures.
• Mandated reporting procedures.
• Center dress code and professionalism.
• Reporting personal illness when needing a sick day or requesting time off.
• Missouri Eat Smart and Move Smart guidelines.
• NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.
• FERPA and HIPPA confidentiality guidelines within the classroom and ECEC.
• Exhibit exemplary attendance and punctuality.
• Comply with college policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including attending college functions, serving on committees and attending community events.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Assist the Lead Teacher and/or Assistant Teacher with classroom curriculum and lesson plan implementation.
• Assist with the arrival of ECEC children to the school environment by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear, and selecting activities of interest to them.
• Exercise initiative by assisting with general housekeeping tasks.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Twelve college credit hours in the early childhood field from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
• Ability to pass a tuberculosis test (or provide proof of current test or risk assessment).
• Ability to be approved by the state Family Care Safety Registry and the Comprehensive Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
• Pass or provide transfer documentation of a medical examination, as required by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
• Perform physical activities and lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Ability to work well with others.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use information technology for professional productivity (such as Microsoft Office Suite).

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Associate degree in early childhood development or early childhood education from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
• Classroom experience in an early childhood or early elementary setting.
• Experience working in a child development laboratory setting at an institution of higher learning.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk; use hands to finger/touch, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee must be able to move around and about their area, and operate a computer as needed. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Other physical requirements include visually supervising preschool children and practicum students and lifting up to 50 lbs. unassisted.

*OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, INTERPRET, OR APPLY THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN ANY WAY THE INSTITUTION DESIRES. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES, INCLUDING ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE OCCUPYING THIS POSITION. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP REMAINS “AT-WILL.” THE AFOREMENTIONED JOB REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE QUALIFIED DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.

Advertised: 23 Mar 2026 Central Daylight Time

Applications close: 10 Apr 2026 Central Daylight Time