Job DetailsJob Location: Yakima, WA 98908Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: High School or GEDSalary Range: $17.20 - $18.20 HourlyTravel Percentage: NoneJob Shift: DayThe Bus Aide will be responsible for ensuring the safety of children during transportation to and from the Growing Hope and Carrol Childrens Center Facilities and facilitate communication with families at pick up and drop off according to Program Policies and Procedures. The Bus Aide will support Lead Teacher with overall care and planning for the children and classroom assigned when not supporting transportation services.

Responsibilities:

Ensure that children enter and exit the bus in a safe manner, remain seated while the bus is in motion, assisting them into their residence and manage behavior within program guidelines.
Relate communications between home and school to parents and staff.
Assist the bus driver with emergency procedures as needed.
Assist in creating a positive environment on the bus and in the classrooms including modeling appropriate behavioral interventions, reinforcing positive behaviors and facilitating social interactions between children.
Assist with cleanliness and safety of the bus, classroom and outdoor play areas.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, parent meetings, in-service days, supervision, etc, as assigned
Participate in documentation duties, written reports, attendance, etc. Report suspected incidents of child abuse to the Program Manager and follow mandated reporting protocols.
Assume Assistant Teacher responsibilities during assigned blocks of time in assigned classroom
Implement all Washington State WAC for child care centers and follow through with required training in a timely fashion. 
Observe confidentiality in all dealings related to program, staff and families
Perform other duties as assigned

QualificationsJob Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position.  Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements: 

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform job requirements.  These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time.  In addition, approximately 20% of the time may include physically assisting a child into their car seat or assisting a child exhibiting behavior problems to ensure the safety of other children and staff.  There may be times that sitting on the floor or in small chairs will be required.  The position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision.

Non-physical Requirements:

Education

ECE Initial Certificate
An active professional development plan to further education is required

Experience

2 years’ experience in an ECE environment or working with at risk children and families, required

Special Skills

Possess strong behavioral management skills
Possess good verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work independently and as a team member
Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner within the community

Licensure, Registration, Certification

Valid Washington State driver’s license and minimum required liability insurance
First Aid/CPR Certification
Cleared by DEL
Fingerprints Background Check
Blood borne pathogens Certification
Food Handler’s card

Employment is conditional upon:

Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Wage Range: $17.20 to $18.20, depending on education and experience

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm. This position is temporary in nature and expected to last for a limited duration. This is a temporary position expected to last approximately February 1st through June 30, 2026. 

Benefits:

7 paid holidays, 1 paid Personal Day, 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year
Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.