Education and Health Assistant

Tuscarora Intermediate Unit is seeking a part-time Education and Health Assistant for our Head Start location in Mifflintown, PA. Applicants must provide the following clearances: Act 24 Arrest and Conviction Report, Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance, Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, and Act 114 Federal Criminal History Clearance.

About the Role

This position supports education, safety, and health services in direct service delivery within classrooms and the home-base program. The role serves as a mentor and resource for Teachers and Home Visitors, assists with developmental, hearing, and vision screenings, and ensures compliance with state requirements for child input and attendance.

Responsibilities

Education Services

• Work with the Senior Manager for Early Education Services to ensure adequate classroom supplies and equipment; assist with ordering supplies.
• Understand and apply Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, HS Early Learning Outcomes Framework, and PA Early Learning Standards.
• Observe classroom operations and use communication systems to improve service quality.
• Collaborate with the Early Childhood Specialist to provide guidance and technical support to education staff.
• Assist in using child data to establish individual goals based on child development knowledge.
• Support classroom staff in implementing ECERS and CLASS recommendations.
• Observe individual children and suggest behavior management or educational programming strategies.
• Implement intervention strategies in classrooms to enable staff to carry them out independently.
• Work with the Early Childhood Specialist and team to assess and follow up on individualized needs for children with disabilities.
• Serve as a teacher or assistant teacher based on program staffing needs.
• Assist with implementation and record-keeping for HSSAP, Keystone Stars, and the Early Learning Network (Pelican).
• Support Teachers and Home Visitors in using screening tools and assessment systems.
• Complete child developmental screenings before the 45-day deadline.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Health Services

• Ensure all centers and Home-Visitors have adequate first-aid supplies.
• Assist education staff in implementing health and safety practices in classrooms.
• Monitor compliance for health and safety checks at all sites; address unresolved issues with the Senior Manager.
• Support education staff in understanding emergency evacuation plans and fire drills; monitor monthly fire drills.
• Incorporate the Health Education Curriculum into classroom and parent/child activities; demonstrate appropriate health practices.
• Monitor classroom environments and outdoor play areas for safety hazards.
• Attend required training, workshops, and meetings.
• Assist with vision and hearing screenings for all programs.
• Understand, generate, and document in-kind and allowable costs for the non-federal share requirement.
• Maintain inventory and participation requirements for the Car Seat Loaner program.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Training

• Participate in all required training and professional development activities under Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, OCDEL, and program plans.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of health and safety practices, and developmentally appropriate early childhood education practices.
• Knowledge of early brain development research, Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, and best practices in early childhood education.
• Familiarity with state and local regulations; knowledge of local resources, customs, and language is helpful.
• Ability to implement Head Start Program Performance Standards, policies, and practices.
• Obtain and maintain CLASS certification and Car Seat Safety Technician certification.
• Exercise professional judgment in decision-making.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, children, parents, outside agencies, and the public.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all information.
• Proficient in computer data entry functions.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and minimum automobile coverage required by PA state law.
• Must be insurable by TIU Insurance carrier to drive agency vehicles.

Qualifications

Language Skills

• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English to be understood by others.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret health journals, technical procedures, and business correspondence.
• Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret social services journals and technical procedures.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are helpful.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to calculate figures such as discounts or percentages.
• Ability to produce and interpret graphs, charts, spreadsheets, and other mathematical reports.

Reasoning Skills

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and maintain strict confidentiality.

Other Skills

• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, and the public.
• Professionalism in daily activities.

Education and Experience

• Minimum requirement: CDA credential.
• Preferred: AA or higher in Early Childhood Education or related field, with 6 courses in early childhood education plus six months of experience working with preschool children.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification.
• References will be verified; sex offender registry check, health exam with tuberculosis screening, and clear criminal records, FBI, and Child Abuse clearances required post-offer and prior to employment.
• Current and former Head Start parents receive preference for qualified vacancies.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Occasional need to provide gentle physical restraint to children.
• Some exposure to communicable diseases.
• May be required to lift up to 45 pounds.
• Moderate to loud noise levels in the work environment.
• Occasional evenings and weekend work for events such as home visits, parent-teacher conferences, and parent meetings.

Standards of Conduct

By signing this job description, the employee agrees to abide by the following standards:

• No corporal punishment.
• No isolation to discipline a child.
• No binding, tying, or taping a child to restrict movement.
• No withholding food as punishment or reward.
• No punitive, demeaning, or humiliating toilet training methods.
• No emotional abuse, including public or private humiliation, rejecting, terrorizing, extended ignoring, or corrupting a child.
• No physical abuse of a child.
• No verbal abuse, including profane, sarcastic language, threats, or derogatory remarks about the child or family.
• No using physical activity or outdoor time as punishment or reward.
• Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family; refrain from stereotyping.
• Follow program confidentiality policies concerning children, families, and staff.
• Never leave a child alone or unsupervised while under care.