Preschool Aide (Recreation Associate)

Preschool Aide (Recreation Associate)

Salary

$20.59 - $26.60 Hourly

Location

Multiple Locations, OR

Job Type

Casual

Job Number

2026-00439

Bureau

Portland Parks & Recreation

Opening Date

06/08/2026

Closing Date

6/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

Join Portland Parks Recreation Preschool for All Team and Connect with Our Community!

Job Summary:

We are hiring for the 2026-2027 school year. These positions will start mid-August 2026.

Become a preschool assistant with Portland Parks Preschool, a Preschool for All Provider. In this role, you will work in classrooms with children aged 3-5 years. We are looking for individuals who enjoy working with kids and have an understanding of social emotional learning for preschool age students. Additionally, speaking a second language is beneficial.

Your Role

• Plan and lead various activities like arts, crafts, music, performance, science, games, nature, and sports
• Support the physical, social, and cognitive development of preschool-aged participants.
• Toileting and diaper changing support
• Nap time support
• Meal and snack support; an active food handlers certificate will be required
• Supporting dual language learners
• Supporting children with disabilities and/or learning differences
• Maintain a safe environment and respond to challenging behaviors in a kind and positive manner.
• Maintain accurate program records,
• Represent Portland Parks & Recreation with a positive attitude
• Work directly with children individually, in small and large groups under the direction of a Lead Teacher.
• Provide classroom management and facilitate the social and emotional development of children
• Provide in the moment coaching for students to gain skills in conflict resolution, skills to improve peer social relationships and emotional regulation.
• Contributes to the creation of an environment that reflects the values and norms of the diverse children and families we serve
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, planning meetings, and regular training.
• Facilitate open communication and promote group problem solving
• Relate in a positive, nurturing way and be sensitive to the needs of children and their families.
• Medication administration (i.e., Epi pen, inhaler)
• Maintenance of center facilities, equipment, and materials.
• Support changing diapers and soiled clothes

Preschool runs Monday-Friday. Full day and half day shifts are available between 8:45am-3:15pm. Assistants may be assigned to a regular site but may be needed to help cover shifts at other program locations.

Job Type: Casual, Part-time. This job is titled Preschool Assistant, but the City of Portland officially calls it a Recreation Associate.

Schedule: This job has flexible hours and might include working during the day, evenings, weekends, or holidays. The number of hours you work each week can change based on program needs, and there is no guarantee of work hours each week.

Location: You will work at different places across Portland, OR.

Benefits: This job has limited benefits. Click the Benefits tab for more information.

Language Pay: If you speak another language besides English and use it to help the community, you may get extra pay. To learn more, click here.

Union: This job is a part of (LiUNA) Labors Local 483 - Recreation. You will start at the entry-level pay rate. To view the labor agreement, please click here.

How to Apply:

• Click "APPLY" to submit your application online.
• You need to answer the supplemental questions and fill out your work history.
• If you are a Veteran and want preference, attach your Veteran documents.

Note: This job is open for a long time. The first round of interviews is expected to take place mid-July. Applicants will be contacted when positions become available.

Recreation Associate Pay:

Training Pay is $20.59 for all Recreation Associate jobs.

Preschool Aide base pay is $20.59 - $24.03 (entry is $20.59)

Preschool Aide premium pay is $23.16-$26.60 (entry is $23.16)

• Employees working as Teacher's Assistants in classrooms during the 2026-2027 program year, will receive a premium of $2.57 per hour for Preschool Specialty premium on all hours worked in preschool classrooms. For more information, please click here.
• The premium pay range listed includes the $2.57 premium.

About Us: Portland Parks & Recreation is dedicated to making sure everyone can enjoy our parks and services, no matter what their background. We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion. We encourage people who speak English and other languages to apply.

Contact Information:

Loan Tran Polanco, Senior Recruiter

Loan.Tran@portlandoregon.gov

To Qualify

Qualifications Needed:

• Be friendly and welcoming.

• Communicate well with different people.

• Be able to handle safety and emergency situations.

• Be able to solve problems and help customers with their concerns.

Applicant must also:

• Possess or obtain a Food handler card (https://www.orfoodhandlers.com/eMain.aspx), within three weeks of hire.
• Education Requirements and Waivers Requests

All interested applicants are encouraged to apply, regardless of current educational experience. Once hired, staff are expected to meet the following education and Oregon Registry Online (ORO) Step requirements (myORO), or employers submit a Waiver Request *:

Current requirements: Step 4 on the Oregon Registry Online (ORO)

After 2 years of participating in Preschool for All: Step 5 on the Oregon Registry Online (ORO)

By 2030, Preschool for All will require: Step 7 on the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) or a Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA)

• Educational Waiver Requests: Providers can submit a Waiver Request for any staff member that does not currently meet the requirements. Staff who do not currently meet the minimum requirements must work with their Supervisor to determine how they are going to reach the required level within two years of employment.

The Recruitment Process

Hiring Process:

Step 1: Apply online between June 8, 2026 - June 29, 2026.

Step 2: We will review your application to see if you meet the minimum needs for this role.

Step 3: If you qualify, you will be placed on a list of eligible candidates.

Step 4: We will contact eligible candidates for interviews as positions become available.

Step 5: Job offers will be made after interviews.

Step 6: The start date will be set once all hiring conditions are met.

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations

An Equal Opportunity Employer

This summary outlines the benefit programs, actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.

The City of Portland offers a comprehensive benefit package that is competitive with other private and public sector employers.

More detailed information can be obtained by calling the Health & Financial Benefits Office at 503-823-6031.

Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)

Casual employees can become eligible for health benefits (medical, dental & vision) through Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer provisions if they meet the necessary paid hours requirement, as determined by the Health & Financial Benefits Office.

Retirement

Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)

The City currently pays the employees share of the retirement contribution.

Employees who are OPSRP members are vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65 (age 60 for police and fire.)

Sick Leave

Casual employees accrue sick leave as outlined in the City of Portland protected sick time law.

Family Medical Leave

In accordance with federal and state law, and the City policy for family medical leave, the City grants family and medical leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical related reasons.

01

Thank you for your interest in working with the City of Portland! We appreciate your time and want to make sure your application process goes smoothly. The questions that follow are important because they help us see if you meet the basic requirements of the job.

Your answers to these questions really matter. They give us information we need to know about your qualifications, ability, and availability.

Note: If you are asking for Veterans Preference, please attach a copy of your DD2-14 and/or Benefit letter. Make sure all documents are uploaded by the deadline mentioned in this job posting.

Have you read and understood everything above?

• Yes
• No - If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter on the announcement.

02

Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website or job board, please specify which one)

03

The City of Portland receives public records requests at times. Please indicate which response you find appropriate: (Answer will not disqualify you from the process)

• My application was submitted with the understanding that the City of Portland would keep the information confidential and would only disclose the information if ordered to do so. I would not have submitted this application without the promise of confidentiality.
• You may release my application; I am waiving confidentiality.

04

Have you worked for Portland Parks & Recreation before?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered Yes to question 4, please indicate what position you held with Portland Parks & Recreation and when you were in that position.

06

Please indicate your age.

• I am 18 years old or older
• I am under 18 years old. (This will disqualify you from this recruitment.)

07

Preschool Hours are Monday-Friday and can range from 8:45am-3:15pm. What shifts are you interested in? Please select the options that you can do.

• Full Day: 8:45am-3:15pm
• Half Day Mornings: 8:45am-12:30pm
• Half Day Afternoons: 12:00pm-3:15pm

08

Choose the location(s) where you'd like to work. You can pick more than one.

• Charles Jordan Community Center - 9009 N Foss Ave
• East Portland Community Center - 740 SE 106th Ave
• Matt Dishman Community Center - 77 NE Knott St
• Montavilla Community Center - 8219 NE Glisan St
• Mt. Scott Community Center - 5530 SE 72nd Ave
• Peninsula Park Community Center- 700 N Rosa Parks Way
• Southwest Community Center - 6820 SW 45th Ave
• St. Johns Community Center - 8427 N Central St
• Woodstock Community Center - 5905 SE 43rd Ave

09

This position may require help covering shifts at other locations. Please indicate the locations you are able to travel to. You can pick more than one.

• Charles Jordan Community Center - 9009 N Foss Ave
• East Portland Community Center - 740 SE 106th Ave
• Matt Dishman Community Center - 77 NE Knott St
• Montavilla Community Center - 8219 NE Glisan St
• Mt. Scott Community Center - 5530 SE 72nd Ave
• Peninsula Park Community Center- 700 N Rosa Parks Way
• Southwest Community Center - 6820 SW 45th Ave
• St. Johns Community Center - 8427 N Central St
• Woodstock Community Center - 5905 SE 43rd Ave

10

Please describe your experience working with youth in an educational setting, including the ages of participants. Experience can include employment and/or personal experience.

11

I understand that the first round of interviews is not going to happen until mid-July. I understand that I will be contacted only when there are positions available, which may not happen right away.

• Yes, I understand that I will only be contacted when positions are available.
• No, I do not understand. (Please contact the recruiter on this application for assistance).

12

If you can speak, read, or write in a language other than English, please tell us which one(s). Let us know if you can speak, read, and/or write in that language. If this does not apply to you, type N/A.

13

Please include your pronouns (optional).

Required Question

Employer City of Portland

Address 1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987

Portland, Oregon, 97204

Website http://www.portlandoregon.gov/jobs