Education Intern - Introductory

EDUCATION INTERN - INTRODUCTORY Aligned with Rogue Community College (RCC) - ED 170 Starting Wage: $16 per hour APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11/20/2026 @ 5:00PM PURPOSE: The Introductory Education Intern supports the mission of Southern Oregon Head Start (SOHS) by assisting in classroom activities and routines under the supervisor of teaching staff. In partnership with Rogue Community College (RCC), this practicum provides students with the opportunity to understand the structure and routines of early childhood classrooms, develop foundational skills in supporting children’s learning and development, and gain confidence in engaging with young children in group settings. Interns will also build professional behaviors such as teamwork, communication, and reliability while earning credit toward their degree or certification. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES: I. CLASSROOM SUPPORT Assist with classroom routines such as setup, cleanup, and transitions. Interact with children individually or in small groups under staff direction. Support Teachers in preparing materials and organizing learning environments. Observe and practice positive child guidance strategies under staff supervision. Participate in daily classroom cleaning and organization. Assist with serving meals and snacks; follow sanitation and safety routines. II. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Participate in orientation and training provided by SOHS and RCC. Observe classroom management techniques and debrief with teaching staff. Engage in reflection and check-in meetings with supervising Teachers every other week. Reflect on personal learning goals and progress through guided prompts. III. INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND CO-WORKERS Must relate in a positive, nurturing way, both verbally and physically, and be sensitive to the needs of children, parents and co-workers. Must use quick, safe reactions and responses in dealing with children or situations that involve children. IV. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY Maintain a safe and pleasant work environment. Follow safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Actively contribute towards promoting a safe workplace & environment. V. OTHER DUTIES May be assigned other related duties as appropriate and within the scope of general responsibilities for this position. REQUIRED JOB SPECIFICATIONS: Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of ECE125 and ECE126; concurrent enrollment in ECE135. Must meet RCC eligibility for ED170 practicum. Certification or Accreditation: CPR/First Aid Certification; Food Handler Certification required. (Certifications can be obtained at Head Start after hire.) Essential Skills: Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and basic computer knowledge. Ability to perform general clerical tasks. Ability to apply the understanding of developmentally appropriate activities of children; meet and promote the social-emotional, physical and cognitive development needs of children. Ability to understand and follow recipes and directions for food preparation. Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English to understand and follow procedures, ensure safety, and complete required documentation related to the position. Essential Mental Abilities: Must be organized, flexible and resolution oriented. Ability to multi-task, make sound judgments and demonstrate appropriate role modeling. Ability to maintain full and complete attention to children at all times. Ability to work as a team member and to be self-directed. Essential Physical Requirements: This position is classified as Center‑Facing. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs. a distance of 25 feet and to push and/or pull up to 40 lbs. a distance of 20 yards. Sufficient mobility, strength, and range of motion to perform standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting or kneeling, twisting, and ascending or descending steps. Ability to react quickly to the physical actions of children. Ability to sit for extended periods of time as required by the position. Sufficient stamina to perform job duties at the required frequency. Sufficient vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and eye‑hand coordination to perform job duties safely and effectively. These physical requirements reflect the maximum potential demands of working in a center‑based setting and are not indicative of continuous lifting or carrying. Exposure to Hazards: Unpredictable child and family behavior, hazardous chemicals, contagious conditions, work with personal computer and other office equipment. Working Conditions: Work performed primarily in a classroom environment. EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENT UPON: Pre-employment health screening as required by Agency and position (may include, but is not limited to: drug screening, occupational health screening and/or functional testing) Central Background Registry enrollment Reports to: Site Manager & Education Staffing/Development Supervisor