Head Start Teaching Assistant

ACCORD CORPORATION

Job Description, Qualifications, and Evaluation Documentation

Job Title: Teaching Assistant

Division: Head Start

Reports To: Center Manager

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Job Category: Family Development Worker

Job Location: Bolivar, Cuba & Wellsville, NY

Pay Range: $18.10 - $30.32 Starting Pay is $18.10/hr.

Work Year: 10 months

Work Hours: 35 hours/week, generally Monday-Fridays, hours established based on program needs, with some evening/weekend work required

Job Overview: Prepares preschool aged children and their families for Kindergarten success by working cooperatively with Teachers to prepare for and implement curriculum activities; maintain routine and structure; and ensure a safe, healthy learning environment. Essential Job

Responsibilities and Duties:

Establishes and maintains a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment by interacting with children in a manner that is nurturing and response to their needs; by preparing safe and age appropriate materials and equipment, daily cleaning, sanitizing and completion of indoor/outdoor safety checklists, and by providing support and guidance to volunteers and support staff in the classroom. Establishes and maintains consistent routine, structure, and safety in the classroom using appropriate behavior management, active supervision, and zoning strategies and implementing quality transitions activities. Assures timely and accurate recording of daily health checks, attendance, observations, nutritional services (CACFP), case notes, and other areas as assigned into data management systems. Engages parents and community members by creating a warm and welcoming environment resulting in volunteer services and attainment of inkind goals and conducts outreach resulting in full caseload enrollment and waiting lists. Assists Bus Drivers in providing safe program transportation by assuring that each passenger is properly restrained, bus safety and proper release of children procedures are followed, and by orienting children and parents on seat belt use, bus procedures, safe boarding and disembarking, and traffic awareness practices. Maintains and implements professional and technical knowledge by attending training, establishing professional networks, and documenting training attendance. Promotes a positive agency image and credibility by adhering to our code of conduct. Assures effective risk management practices by identifying and reporting potential safety, ethical, and legal concerns. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing program goals and completing other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities/Decision Making:

Embraces and aligns with the agency mission and vision, and division/program goals Follows and accurately interprets policies, procedures, and other written materials Demonstrates skills in the use of computer word processing and data entry Functions under a variety of working conditions and effectively manages multiple tasks and priorities and demonstrates the ability to differentiate between tasks of varying priority levels, responding appropriately Accepts supervisor recommendations and treats colleagues, staff and program participants with respect, and performs job results in a non-judgmental manner. Maintains a clean and safe working environment Assesses problems accurately in terms of scope and consequences choosing the most appropriate course of action. Complies with procedures, rules and regulations to maintain the security of the facility. Safeguard confidentiality in compliance with program and agency policies. Works independently with initiative, self-motivation and effective problem solving.

Time Expectations: Will work all assigned hours and report to work on time. Will meet all time frames and due dates without reminders. Will make appropriate use of leave time to balance personal, agency and workload needs.

Qualifications: EDUCATION: Pre School Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent

-or

An associate degree in any area - early childhood education, social work or human services is preferred

-or

Be enrolled in a program leading to an associates or baccalaureate degree

- or

a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.

License Requirements: Current, valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

EXPERIENCE: One year experience in an early childhood education program working with young children and their families is preferred.

Must demonstrate competency to provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions, plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment and promote children’s developmental progress, including children with disabilities and dual language learners.

Environment & Physical Demands: (This position may require the following physical demands and exposures: The employee may require engaging in talking, carrying objects, grasping, using manual dexterity, seeing peripherally, sitting, listening, seeing near and far, and general lifting.

Computer work is an essential function of this position and vision strain is a potential exposure. This position requires the ability to drive a personal or agency owned vehicle.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $18.10 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $30