Preschool Teacher Assistant - Hiring Bonus - Pagosa Springs Head Start

Pagosa Springs, CO

Full Time

Entry Level

Preschool Teacher Assistant

$2,500 Hiring Bonus

Join Tri-County Head Start as a Preschool Teacher Assistant and receive a $2,500 hiring bonus after completing six months of successful employment, subject to the eligibility requirements outlined below.

Are you passionate about supporting high-quality early childhood education, collaboration, and care? This is a wonderful opportunity to be a Difference Maker in the lives of children and families.

Position Summary

The Preschool Teacher Assistant supports the lead teacher in creating a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children. This position works in a classroom-based setting and supports daily classroom routines, active supervision, child engagement, lesson planning, and the social, emotional, and developmental needs of children.

Anticipated Start Date: August 2026
Schedule: Full-time, part-year; 35 hours per week for 42 weeks, August through May
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:15 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Pay Range: $17.92–$25.43 per hour, depending on education and experience

Apply at www.tchs4c.org/career.

Minimum Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old
High school diploma or equivalent required
Willingness to obtain a Child Development Associate Credential within the first year of employment
Previous experience working with young children ages one through five preferred
Successful completion of all required background checks and pre-employment requirements

Tri-County Head Start provides training support, CDA coaching, and opportunities to grow into teacher-qualified positions.

Eligible Employee Benefits

Paid professional development
Generous leave package, including paid sick and personal time
Paid breaks and holidays, including Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Thanksgiving break, winter break, spring break, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Health, dental, and vision insurance
403(b) retirement savings plan
$2,500 hiring bonus after six months of successful employment

Hiring Bonus Eligibility

The $2,500 hiring bonus is available to eligible new hires for this position. To receive the bonus, the employee must:

Complete six consecutive months of employment in the position;
Remain actively employed by Tri-County Head Start on the scheduled payment date;
Maintain satisfactory job performance, attendance, conduct, and compliance with organizational policies;
Successfully complete all required background checks, training, credentialing steps, and other conditions of employment; and
Not have submitted a resignation notice or received notice of termination before the payment date.

Approved protected leave or another legally protected absence will not, by itself, disqualify an employee. However, the bonus payment date may be adjusted when necessary to allow the employee to complete six months of active employment and demonstrate successful performance.

The bonus will be paid through payroll and is subject to all required taxes and withholdings. The hiring bonus is a one-time payment and does not increase the employee’s regular hourly rate or establish eligibility for future bonuses. Employees who resign, are terminated, fail to meet performance or attendance expectations, or otherwise cease employment before satisfying all eligibility requirements will not receive a prorated or partial bonus.

Tri-County Head Start reserves the right to interpret, modify, suspend, or discontinue the hiring-bonus program at any time, subject to applicable law and any written offer already accepted by an eligible employee. Eligibility should be confirmed in the employee’s written offer of employment.

We are eager to invest in your career through training, coaching, and advancement opportunities so you can grow, thrive, and feel good about your work.

Apply at www.tchs4c.org/career.

Durango 4C Council/Tri-County Head Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Background Check Requirement Notice

Durango 4-C Council/Tri-County Head Start is an equal opportunity employer and is required per Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR 1302.90 and Colorado State Childcare Licensing to conduct a comprehensive background check that includes but is not limited to: 1) criminal history with a national electronic check, 2) sex offender registry check, 3) child abuse and neglect state registry check, and 4) criminal history with a fingerprint check (FBI/CBI/state/tribal). We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. TCHS will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to federal and state regulations. Background checks will be completed following the extension of a conditional offer of employment, and adverse findings will require an individual assessment for consideration in relation to the safety and well-being of the children we serve. Are you willing to undergo a background check in accordance with TCHS policy, pursuant to childcare care regulations?*

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I certify that all information provided in this employment application is accurate and complete. I understand that any false information or omission may disqualify me from further consideration for employment and may result in my dismissal if discovered at a later date.

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I understand that this application or subsequent employment does not create a contract of employment nor guarantee employment for any definite period of time. If employed, I understand that I have been hired at-will according to Colorado state law, and my employment may be terminated by Durango 4-C Council, Inc/Tri-County Head Start or by myself at any time, with or without cause or with or without prior notice.

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Thanks for visiting our Career Page. Please review our open positions and apply to the positions that match your qualifications. Durango 4C Council/Tri-County Head Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer.