Classroom Assistant, Early Head Start

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver has been serving Northern Colorado since 1927. We serve tens of thousands of people each year in seven ministries: Marisol Services, Early Childhood Education, Shelter Services, Catholic Charities Housing, St. Raphael Counseling, Family, Kinship, and Senior Services; and Parish & Community Engagement. Our employees are crucial to our success in achieving our mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need.

About the role

An Early Head Start Classroom Assistant at Catholic Charities:

• Ensures the safety and security of children in classroom.
• Develops positive relationships with parents and families of each child.
• Assists other staff in planning, coordinating and completing student activities.
• Provides classroom coverage for teacher absences and updates teaching staff upon their return.
• Assists in the organization and maintenance of classroom materials and equipment.
• Ensures that the classroom is safe, clean, and orderly.
• Takes direction from classroom staff regarding classroom organization and management.
• Provides crisis intervention including, but not limited to, child abuse reporting.
• Ensures safe environment by following safety rules.
• Participates in the preparation, setup, serving, and clean-up of meals and snacks.
• Administers first aid as needed.
• Complies with all Colorado State Licensing regulations and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Participates in required training, programs, workshops, and meetings concerning teaching methods, first aid/CPR, universal precautions, food safety, and other topics relating to the classroom, early childhood development, and classroom environments.
• Enrolls in and completes coursework for the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification, if not already obtained or do not have an ECE related degree, and completes within 6 months of the date of hire. Staff who are already Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualified are not required to enroll in and complete the CDA but are strongly encouraged to do so.

Requirements

• Ability to interact well with children 6 weeks-5 years of age.
• Ability to remember schedules, programs, policies, and other details.
• Ability to remain calm and calm others in an emergency and/or confrontational situation.
• Knowledge of the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and the appropriate techniques and practices for the client population.
• Ability to interact effectively as a team member and independently with Agency staff and with a diverse client base.
• Must be currently enrolled in, or agree to enroll in, coursework to obtain the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. The CDA must be completed within 6 months of the hire date. (Those with an associate's degree or higher in ECE are excluded and those who are already Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualified are not required to enroll in and complete the CDA but are strongly encouraged to do so).

Qualifications

• Experience effectively interacting with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age in a group setting preferred.
• Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualification preferred.

Pay

Salary: $21.02 - $21.86 per hour

Benefits

• Full-time position with extensive Paid Time Off (4 weeks accrual for new employees – increasing based on tenure).
• 15 Paid Holidays annually (holiday pay included if a holiday is worked).
• 403b Retirement Plan with Agency contribution of 4% & match up to 2% of annual compensation.
• Choice of 3 PPO Medical Plans (90% of employee's and 75% of dependent’s premiums paid by Agency), Dental, & Vision starting the 1st day of the month following start date.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through Federal Student Loans and other benefits.
• Robust training curriculum including De-escalation & Safety, Mental Health First Aid, Substance Abuse & Mental Health, Human Trafficking, Trauma Informed Care, and more.

Part-time employees (20-29 hours per week) also receive paid annual leave, company paid holidays, and 403b retirement plan with agency contribution and match.