Head Start Classroom Aide

Watertown, South Dakota

General Statement of Duties

Under the direct supervision of the teacher assigned by the Education/Disabilities Specialist and the general supervision of the Head Start Pre-Birth to Five Director, is responsible for performing any combination of the following instructional tasks in the classroom.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Discuss assigned teaching area with classroom teacher to support instructional efforts.
2. Assure the care, safety, and well-being of all children in the group.
3. Promote sound physical, social and emotional growth and development through recognizing individual differences, diversity, and cultural backgrounds.
4. Maintain a safe, clean, and pleasant environment.
5. Assist all children, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts with the teacher.
6. Interact with children utilizing a variety of methods and techniques such as play activities, discussion, and supervised role-playing.
7. Encourage parents to become involved in their child's classroom.
8. Encourage and promote the families' achievement of self-sufficiency.
9. Ensure the health and safety verification checklist is completed daily.
10. Submit biweekly time sheets to the immediate supervisor.
11. Report daily child observations to the Teacher.
12. Use active supervision strategies to monitor classrooms.
13. Assist the Nutrition staff as deemed necessary.
14. Maintain child and family confidentiality at all times.
15. Attend meetings, trainings, and seminars as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Agency.
16. Perform duties in a manner consistent with safe practices and policies.
17. Perform other duties as deemed appropriate and necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

1. High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred.
2. One (1) year experience and/or training working with infants and toddlers or preschoolers preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

1. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
2. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
3. Ability to speak effectively with employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

1. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Other Work Related Abilities

1. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or verbal instructions.
2. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
3. Ability to work well with staff, public and families.
4. Ability to be punctual and organized.
5. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Certificates, Licenses, Examinations

1. Other such examination as deemed appropriate and necessary by ICAP.
2. Wellness Examination/TB test
3. Subject to random drug testing

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 this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
2. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.
3. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
4. The employee must frequently lift and/or move 10 to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
5. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.