Description

NATURE AND SCOPE OF POSITION

This position serves as a Floater Assistant Teacher for a Head Start center. The Floater Assistant Teacher will work collaboratively with the Teacher to ensure the successful operation of a classroom of children. The Floater Assistant Teacher also works with a team of other classroom Assistant Teachers and family members to implement curriculum to achieve outcomes for children of all abilities.

JOB FUNCTIONS

ESSENTIAL-

• Use knowledge of the principles of child growth and development to work with children and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain a child-centered curriculum and learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation to promote development in all domains for children of all abilities.
• Address challenging behaviors by observing to determine possible causes of the behavior, implementing preventive measures, teaching the child new social and communication skills and partnering with families to support the child at home.
• Observe and document childrens progress and assist with the development of specialized curriculum based on the childs needs.
• Plan and implement learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness, their understanding and use of language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, and their problem solving abilities.
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment.
• Support the social and emotional development of children.
• Encourage the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supporting the development of relationships between children and their families.

MARGINAL-

• Provide courteous and prompt service to all internal and external clients. Prioritize and address requests and assignments in a professional manner to develop cooperative relationships and to ensure that client confidentiality is assured.
• Identify opportunities and recommend methods to improve service, work processes and financial performance, e.g. expense management. Assists in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist co-workers in the completion of tasks and assignments to ensure continuity of service. Orient new co-workers and actively support teamwork throughout the organization.
• Perform other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this job.

Communication - Interacts sensitively, effectively and professionally with persons of diverse ages, lifestyles, and backgrounds (cultural, economic, racial, ethnic or professional). Has direct, honest conversations, on difficult topics when necessary and gives feedback with clear conclusions and specific examples. Receives feedback openly. Speaks and writes clearly, with professional tone and correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction. Takes responsibility for own actions and keeps commitments. Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Integrity Acts in ways that demonstrate personal integrity and serves as a positive example of why others should trust the motives of the organization. Views himself or herself as a reflection of the organization by following through on commitments and accepting ownership of any mistakes he or she might make. Leaves others with the clear impression that integrity is a core value at this organization.

Managing Multiple Priorities Handles multiple assignments and priorities yet still fulfills all commitments. Readily accepts new responsibilities and adapts well to changes in procedures. Gives appropriate priorities to various work demands.

Professionalism Maintains a calm and professional attitude to all customers and coworkers, regardless of environment or stress.

Quality of Work - Has established a track record of producing work that is highly accurate, demonstrates attention to detail and reflects well on the organization. Is personally committed to high quality work and encourages others to have similar standards.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures and determines appropriate action beyond guidelines. Reports potentially unsafe conditions and uses equipment and materials properly.

Team Work - Balances team and individual responsibilities. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Contributes to building a positive team spirit and puts success of team above own interests. Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives. Supports everyone's efforts to succeed and recognizes accomplishments of other team members.

Qualifications

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• One of the following is required:
  • CDA or enrolled to complete within 2 years, or
  • Have a degree in any field or be enrolled in a program leading to such degree

Certifications:

• Obtain CPR and First Aid certification within the first year of employment.

Work Experience:

• Prior experience with children ages 0-5 years is required.

Special Skills:

• Basic computer literacy in email usage, word processing and internet navigation.
• Pass physical examination and all Head Start/licensing required background checks. Maintain current Physical/TB screen requirements.
• Excellent decision-making and communications skills
• High degree of tact and professionalism
• Strong positive attitude

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger motions, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds, up to 20 times per day with or without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.

Work Environment: Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather and internal climate conditions prevalent at the time. The work environment is considered to be that of a normal primary educational institution. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Exposure to blood, saliva and bodily fluids is common. Proper training and protective equipment are required to avoid direct contact from blood, saliva and bodily fluids is required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities/PRIME TIME Family, Inc is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, creed, ancestry, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, citizenship status, victims of domestic violence, or any other protected category.