Dental Assistant

This listing closes on 5/6/2026 at 4:30 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana.

Employer: Downey Unified School District

Salary: $21.04 - $25.56 Hourly

Location: Downey, CA

Job Type: Part-Time

Job Number: 000323 - 2026

Department: DUSD

Opening Date: 04/16/2026

Closing Date: 5/6/2026 at 4:30 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana

Selection Procedures

Only online applications and certificates will be accepted. This is an open recruitment to establish an eligibility list, fill vacancies, and hire substitutes. Substitutes work on an as-needed basis to fill in for absent employees. The eligibility list will be used to fill permanent vacancies which may occur during the life of the eligibility list. Positions in this classification are part-time, 18 hours per week, 12 months/216 workdays per year. The recruitment process will consist of a written and an oral technical interview which is tentatively scheduled during the weeks of May 11, 2026 - May 29, 2026. Qualified applicants will be notified by email.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, TITLE IX, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

The Downey Unified School District does not engage in any employment practice that discriminates against an employee or applicant for employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability (mental or physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information (including family and medical history), marital status, political affiliation, military and veteran status, or retaliation; or on any other basis as protected by state, federal or local law, ordinance or regulation, in its educational program(s) or employment. No person shall be denied employment solely because of any impairment which is unrelated to the ability to engage in activities involved in the position(s) or program for which application has been made. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, Downey Unified School District will provide you with one upon notice.

Basic Function Under the direction of the Dental Assistant Program Instructor, assists in the instruction of dental assistant students, presenting specialized educational materials to students enrolled in dental assistant courses while reinforcing subject matter that has been introduced by the teacher; performs clerical functions, administers and grades tests.

Function & Duties

Assist in the preparation of instructional materials, setting up demonstrations, equipment, and simulator mannequins related to the dental field. Demonstrate methods, procedures, techniques, and uses of materials and equipment required in caring and treating patients, recording of patient data, and admitting and discharging patients. Tutor students individually or in small groups, reinforcing or following-up on instructions provided by the instructor; explain concepts, principles and terminologies to student. Assist students in the proper use and maintenance of instruments and equipment related to the dental occupation field. Assist in the administration and scoring of tests and class assignments. Answer questions presented by new dental assistant program students. Perform a variety of general clerical duties such as typing, filing, and faxing information; maintaining attendance and student information and progress on appropriate forms and records, and duplicating instructional materials. Operate office equipment such as a computer terminal, copier and related dental instructional equipment including audio-visual; answer telephone, taking messages as necessary. Assist in the inventory and maintenance of dental assistant program equipment and supplies. Perform related duties as assigned. Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an "E" which identifies essential duties required of the classification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of: Fundamentals of dental care. HIPAA and OSHA regulations. Dental terminology. Nomenclature, use and maintenance of instruments and equipment utilized by the dental field. Procedures related to dental radiography, digital imaging, infection control, the California Dental Practice Act, and other dental procedures. Personal hygiene and sanitary standards for equipment and materials. Basic measurement equivalencies. Safety rules and correct procedures related to equipment and patientcare. Record keeping techniques. Technical aspects of field of specialty. Operation of assigned office and instructional equipment. Modern office practices, procedures and equipment. Telephone techniques and etiquette. Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Oral and written communication skills Interpersonal skills using tact, diplomacy, patience and courtesy. Needs of adult students. Ability to: Communicate specialized dental information to students who have varying levels of comprehension. Learn and apply appropriate instructional techniques. Identify and meet the needs of adult students. Convert quantity measurements to their equivalencies, i.e., liters to ounces, etc. Perform routine clerical duties such as filing, duplicating and maintaining records accurately. Print and write legibly. Understand and follow oral and written directions. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Read and follow rules, regulations, policies and procedures, including HIPAA and OSHA regulations. Maintain a clean and organized workplace. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. Demonstrate attendance necessary to complete the duties of the position as required. Work confidentially with discretion. Operate instructional and office equipment. Demonstrate intact short-term and long-term memory. Demonstrate empathy, professionalism, friendliness, patience and responsibility. Be motivated to produce high quality work product. Comprehend and follow directions. Maintain a work pace appropriate to the position.

Education and Experience, Licenses and Other Requirements

Any combination equivalent to: graduation from a dental assistant program and certification as a Registered Dental Assistant. Working Conditions: Environment: Instructional dental assistant lab environment. Incumbents are required to work a flexible schedule. Physical Abilities: Seeing to read and review assignments, and to observe/correct student behavior during classroom activities; hearing and speaking to provide assistance and information related to classroom assignments; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a variety of dental and office equipment; reaching to retrieve and file records; bending at the waist; kneeling; standing and walking for extended periods of time; and ability to lift 50 pounds. Hazards: Handling sharp objects; exposure to biohazards and body fluids; vulnerable to minor contagious illnesses (colds, flu, etc.), in direct contact with the public, students and district staff.

Benefits

Part-time Employees earn up to:

• 1 paid vacation day per 1 full month of employment
• 1 paid sick leave day per 1 full month of employment with unlimited accumulation
• and paid holidays

The District offers two excellent medical plans, Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente; two dental plans, Delta Dental and MetLife SafeGuard; and vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP). All plans are available to the employee and their dependents. This coverage is available to employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week. Click Here to Learn More.

Retirement benefits include membership in CalPERS (California Public Employee's Retirement System) and Social Security (OASDI). This is a joint contribution plan. To qualify for CalPERS an employee must work a minimum of 20 hours per week or already be a member, if not the employee is eligible for an alternative retirement plan.

Additionally, the District encourages employees to pursue professional growth, and provides financial incentive for classified employees completing professional growth programs. Additional benefits available to employees to which the District does not contribute include life insurance, a Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan, an income protection plan, and a credit union.

Substitute employees are not eligible for vacation or holiday pay but are eligible to earn sick leave at the rate of one hour per 30 hours worked, not to exceed 48 hours. Further, substitute employees are not automatically eligible for CalPERS or District health benefits.