Head Start Aide

About the role

The Classroom Aide assists the Teacher and Assistant Teacher in providing and coordinating classroom services to families enrolled in the assigned classroom. The role ensures high quality early childhood education standards are met and helps ensure Clackamas County Children’s Commission policies and procedures are followed.

Responsibilities

• Aid in carrying out daily classroom activities and schedules
• Aid in following through and evaluating the daily lesson plan
• Aid in ensuring the class is equipped with all needed materials and supplies
• Provide input of child behavior observation notes for individualization
• Participate in Open House and other class and center events
• Use a positive behavior intervention and support (PBIS) approach in directing and guiding children
• Participate in bus monitor training and act as bus monitor if needed
• Maintain the classroom in a neat, safe, and clutter-free manner
• Provide child care at Family Gatherings if needed
• Prepare food for meals in accordance with CACFP and program guidelines

Requirements

• U.S. High School Diploma/GED or Equivalent
• Current Child Development Associate (CDA), or ability to complete CDA within one year of hire preferred
• Knowledge of child development preferred
• Experience working with children ages three to five preferred
• Ability to apply positive behavior intervention and support (PBIS) approach in directing and re-directing child behavior
• Ability to positively interact with families of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
• Ability to work use time effectively and work with minimal direct supervision
• Valid driver’s license and insured vehicle available for use on the job (or alternative transportation)
• Criminal Background Registry compliance
• First Aid/CPR certification
• Oregon Food Handler’s Card

Skills and Abilities

• Positive behavior intervention and support (PBIS) approach in directing and re-directing child behavior
• Positive interaction with families of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Cooperative teamwork
• Effective time management
• Professional appearance and conduct
• Compliance with agency policies and procedures
• Confidentiality of information regarding enrolled children and families, personnel issues, and other program operations

Additional Expectations

• Arrive to work on time; punctually attend and actively participate in all required activities, meetings, and trainings
• Be a respectful, cooperative, and reliable team member and participant in program activities
• Project a professional work image, both in dress and manner
• Familiarize with and adhere to position-related policies and procedures as well as the program’s overarching objectives
• Follow Agency policy/procedures for reporting and documenting suspected child abuse and/or neglect

Training

In consultation with supervisor, develop professional work goals and training plan. Participate in training as requested.

Job Qualifications

• Education and Experience: U.S. High School Diploma/GED or Equivalent, Current Child Development Associate (CDA), or ability to complete CDA within one year of hire preferred, Knowledge of child development preferred, Experience working with children ages three to five preferred
• Skills and Abilities: Ability to apply positive behavior intervention and support (PBIS) approach in directing and re-directing child behavior, Ability to positively interact with families of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment, Ability to work use time effectively and work with minimal direct supervision, Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle available for use on the job (or have alternative transportation), Ability to possess and maintain compliance with State of Oregon Criminal Background Registry, Ability to possess and maintain current First Aid/CPR certification, Ability to obtain and maintain an Oregon Food Handler’s Card

Working Conditions

• Work with physically active three to five-year-old children for one or two class periods per day (each class period is 3.5 hours)
• Extensive standing, walking
• Moderate sitting, kneeling, bending