Assistant Early Childhood Educator

Job Summary

Major Duties

Work Environment

Physical Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Work Environment

Physical Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

USG Core Values Statement

• About the role

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (FVSU), a state and land-grant institution of the University System of Georgia, invites applications for the position of Assistant Early Childhood Educator.

Fort Valley State University, the only 1890 land-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2,800 students including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the state's peach industry. Its 1,365-acre (5.52 km2) campus is Georgia's second-largest public university in area.

Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status.

Job Summary

In conjunction with the HS Early Childhood Educator, provides a successful, safe, and supervised setting for preschool age children while they are in a healthy learning environment for Head Start children. Develop individual goals for children, provide on-going assessments to track progress and facilitate transition out of Head Start to Pre-K or Kindergarten.

Major Duties

• Under general supervision, applicant must be able to maintain a developmentally appropriate classroom setting, confident files on all children, correspond and work with parents.
• Possess and demonstrate a strong working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and other regulations.
• Aid in the development and implementation of the curriculum, which reflects mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of Head Start children.
• Assure classroom operates within the guidelines and standards of the Fort Valley State University Head Start policies and procedures as well as the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Create weekly/monthly lesson plans addressing individual goals for children.
• Provide a comprehensive safe and healthy learning environment for the children.
• Supervise and monitor children at all times.
• Ensure classroom operations comply with state law regarding the mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment concerning confidential information.
• Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities.
• Responsible for education requirements of children in assigned classroom, including all required daily health checks, screenings and ongoing child assessment data related to the identified school readiness goals.
• Assess children, document behavior, and evaluate results.
• Complete and submit required forms and records in a timely and accurate manner, e.g., lesson plans, COR, Child Plus, and meal reports etc.
• Responsible for meal implementation with other staff and for maintaining a developmentally appropriate classroom environment, including organization of space and material storage.
• Use home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.
• Maintain regular job attendance and adhere to working hours.
• Operate effectively within the organizational structure and be inclusive of children with special needs and disabilities.
• Maintain complete and accurate required family/child files, forms, and records within required timelines to document and track children in assigned classroom.
• Assist in implementing children's I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) seeking clarification regarding any aspects that are not well understood.
• Participate as a member of the annual program self-assessment.
• In consultation with supervisor, Curriculum Compliance Coach/Specialist and Director of Education, develop own professional work goals and training plan working towards required credentials according with the Head Start Program Performance Standards/Head Start Act.
• Input all required data such as screenings, home visits, parent teacher conferences, anecdotes into Child Plus and COR according to the timelines outlined on the quick reference guide and COR completion.
• Consistently maintain and promote excellence in service through open and honest relationships with co-workers, clients, community members and other FVSU Head Start/Early Head Start staff.
• Consistently address clients, community members and co-workers in a courteous, pleasant and respectful manner.
• Operate effectively within the organizational structure and be inclusive of children with disabilities.
• Perform other duties as deemed necessary for the effective functioning of the program.

Work Environment

• Must have own reliable transportation to travel to and from one of the centers located in Taylor, Macon, Dooly, Peach, and Crisp counties.
• Must be punctual and able to work Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p. m.
• Must be able to work indoors as well as transition the classroom to outdoors.
• May be exposed to communicable diseases.
• May be exposed to blood and bodily fluids or tissues.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly walk or run quickly, kneel, or sit on the floor, lift approximately 50 pounds, sit in a child's size chair, and move quickly from multiple positions and levels.
• Use hands and fingers handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Talk or hear.
• Stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Occasionally lift 20 pounds overhead and 40 pounds from waist to shoulder.
• Close, distant and color visions, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a CDA (Child Development Associate), TCC, ECE Diploma, state awarded certification or related area.
• Significant experience and alternative training in early childcare and development may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Associate degree or higher in Infant & Child Development, Early Childhood Education or related area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start (or comparable child development programs), early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practice, and bilingual education.
• Experience of working with children birth to five years of age.
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Maintain an annual physical and Tuberculosis vaccination.
• Good communication skills, flexibility and teamwork are required.
• Successfully pass a drug screening and background check.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.