Head Start Teacher Assistant

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Qualifications

• Required: High school diploma or GED, and completion of Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or state awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, are enrolled in a program that will lead to an Associate or Bachelor’s degree, or are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Preferred: Two years of experience in the preschool classroom setting.
• Preferred: Bilingual (Spanish).

Responsibilities

• Protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care.
• Assist with the provision of responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and children’s skill growth aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including children with disabilities.
• Assist with the implementation of prescribed curricula to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development, and integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning.
• Support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of the child’s developmental level and progress.
• Support opportunities for parents and family members to engage in their child’s development and in program services, including parent conferences, home visits, and group activities.
• Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting suspected or known child abuse and neglect, ensuring appropriate supervision of children at all times, and adhering to all standards of conduct.
• Comply with positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS Pre-K instrument.
• Complete minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards.
• Maintain regular communication with teachers regarding students’ behavior and progress.
• Maintain child files, classroom forms, and other documentation to ensure compliance, currency, and organization.
• Monitor the classroom to ensure it is free from physical and environmental hazards.
• Ensure incident reporting occurs within designated timeframes per program policy and protocol.
• Use age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies, and physical space for indoor and outdoor learning environments, including functional space, and change materials periodically to support children’s evolving interests and development.
• Support teachers’ response to classroom observations through modifications to teaching strategies and lesson plans in accordance with prescribed curricula.
• Communicate child observations to teachers, including identifying potential interference with a child’s development and school readiness.
• Support teachers’ coordination with education, family, mental health, and/or child development professional program staff to address identified needs.
• Participate in school functions, scheduled meetings, and team decision-making and operations.
• Work collaboratively with other staff members, service providers, and professionals.
• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
• Effective written and verbal communication in English and Spanish (preferred).
• Ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times.
• Working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Complete and pass health examination.
• Confirm work eligibility status.
• Successfully pass driving history check.
• Clear criminal background check.
• Required to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, and at-risk neighborhoods.
• Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may be required for conferences, meetings, and other duties at distant locations in and out of state, including overnight travel.
• Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent-teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community events, and social events like field trips.