Preschool Teacher Assistant

Summary: The Tri-County Opportunities Council Early Head Start/Head Start Program serves 483 expectant mothers and children ages birth to five in the nine Illinois Counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside. The program offers comprehensive child and family development services to those deemed eligible. The program’s primary goals are to partner with parents to promote self-esteem, increase self-confidence, and advance school readiness skills for children. Comprehensive programming includes education, medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional services; welcomes children with disabilities or special needs; and provides family education, advancement, and social service support while connecting enrolled families to community resources and transportation assistance. The program offers various options to meet the needs of children, families, and communities throughout all nine counties.

Mission Statement: T.C.O.C. Head Start is committed to taking the leadership role in developing partnerships to build stronger communities. We create and nurture supportive experiences that lead to successful outcomes for children, families, and staff.

Agency Name: Tri-County Opportunities Council

Program Name: Early Head Start/Head Start Program

Job Title: Teacher Assistant

Reports to: Site Supervisor

Status: 40 Hrs./week, Full-Year Position, Non-Exempt

Education Requirements: Head Start center-based teacher assistant qualification requirements. As prescribed in section 648A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Act, a program must ensure Head Start assistant teachers, at a minimum, have a CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, are enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or, are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.

• Preferred: AAS in Early Childhood Education or closely related field with a minimum of 21 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
• Minimum: Enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree; CDA credential or be enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance
• Not essential but may be required as needed; sufficient strength and flexibility (ability to stoop, bend, twist, etc.) to frequently bend down to a child’s level, sit on the floor with them, stand for prolonged periods of time, respond to a child’s quick and frequent movements and when necessary, lift a child, must have manual dexterity
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Must have the ability to safely enter and exit the center and family’s home
• Must pass a general physical examination and TB screening at the time of hire and every two years thereafter
• Must obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR
• Employment in this position is contingent on cleared criminal background check, clear background check as per the Department of Children & Family Services Licensing Standards and Policy Council approval
• Strong Communication Skills-effective verbal and written
• Patience, Understanding
• Flexibility
• Technology Proficient
• Maintain Confidentiality
• Classroom and Behavior management
• Team Management Skills
• Decisiveness
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Abilities
• Conflict Resolution
• Time and Priority Management Skills
• Self-Management
• Conveying Feelings Appropriately
• Demonstrates Cognitive Flexibility
• Ability to take and follow direction

If hired, employees without the required credits/credentialing will be required to sign a professional development plan upon hire with a designated timeline for completion.

Accountabilities: To provide safe, supportive, intentional and engaging environments for children between the ages of birth and five years of age. Offer environments and experiences that provide natural and developmentally appropriate skill development opportunities to children with various skill levels. Reduce achievement gaps through equitable practices. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development resulting in improved teaching and learning.

Adhere to internal and external policy, procedure, and best practice

• DCFS Licensing Standards
• Head Start Performance Standards
• Child and Adult Care Food Program
• OSHA
• T.C.O.C. Early Head Start/Head Start Policy and Procedures
• T.C.O.C. Human Resource Policy and Procedures

Essential Duties: To create child focused, emotionally supportive, safe and responsive experiences that support: emotional connection, progressive communication, shared respect, autonomy, expression, higher order thinking skills/cognition and that reduces racial, ethnic and linguistic disparities.

• Create a safe, warm, and accepting environment following Program Policies and Procedures
• Implement the Curriculum to Fidelity
• Follows all licensing procedures, inclusive of DCFS, Head Start Standards, OHSA, CACFP, etc.
• Ensure that children are actively supervised by qualified staff at all times and appropriate ratios are maintained
• Ensure indoor/outdoor areas and equipment, materials, and supplies are safe, used, stored, and maintained in an orderly manner
• Promote and guide individual self-help skills.
• Complete necessary paperwork neatly and accurately by established deadlines
• Model family style meal service, by sitting and eating what the children are eating while carrying on appropriate conversations during meal times
• Identify and document sources of nonfederal
• Completes ongoing professional
• Supports the mission, goals, and objectives of Tri-County Opportunities Council.

Benefits:

• Dental Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Vision Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Life Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Health Insurance – 2 Plans (Must work 30 hours/per week)
• Partially Paid Family Medical Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Sick Time
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Career Advancement Opportunities

For current staff applying for a different position, the wage is base pay (based on current qualifications) plus 1% for each year of previous agency employment.

Tri-County Opportunities Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provider. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.94 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Ottawa, IL 61350 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $19