Program Aide

Applicants must provide the following required 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. Links to these clearances can be found at https://www.tiu11.org/human-resources/.

About the role

This position works as part of a team to assist in activities in the classroom, kitchen, and bus and/or to serve as a disabilities aide as needed. The role combines elements of Classroom Aide, Bus Aide, Custodial Aide, and Kitchen Aide, including light cleaning duties and support for children with disabilities. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms, centers, or bus routes as needed for program operations.

Responsibilities

• Classroom Aide
  • Assists classroom staff in all activities, field trips, and outdoor activities, including implementing lesson plans.
  • Assists in developing materials and activities related to the cultural background of children and families.
  • Helps supervise mealtime, eating with children to encourage good nutrition and social skills.
  • Maintains a clean and orderly classroom and assists the Teacher as needed.
  • Serves as a substitute in the absence of the Teacher or Assistant Teacher.
• Bus Aide
  • Assists the driver in keeping the interior of the vehicle clean and the exterior as weather permits.
  • Maintains accurate record-keeping for program requirements.
  • Reports damage or malfunctions to the Bus Driver immediately.
  • Performs safety checks, including maintenance of fire safety supplies and seat belts.
  • Ensures the bus is empty at the end of each run and all children are accounted for.
  • Interacts with children during the bus route for socializing and educational experiences.
  • Ensures children remain seated with seat belts fastened at all times.
  • Assists parents/families with signing children on and off the bus.
• Kitchen Aide
  • Completes routine kitchen, dining room, and food-related chores.
  • Prepares food and serving items before or after use.
  • Participates in kitchen clean-up, inventory, and other tasks as requested.
  • Substitutes for the regular Cook or Assistant Cook as needed.
• Disabilities Aide
  • Works with assigned children with disabilities.
  • Supports classroom staff, Specialists, Managers, and/or Mental Health Consultants in carrying out individual plans for children with special needs.
• Training and Other Duties
  • Attends workshops, staff meetings, and parent meetings as required.
  • Understands and adheres to Head Start Program Performance Standards and other local or state regulations (e.g., OCDEL for Pre-K Counts).
  • Maintains Basic First Aid and CPR certification.
  • Follows regulations for occupational safety, universal precautions, and contamination prevention.
  • Participates in all required training and professional development activities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain Basic First Aid and CPR certification.
• Must pass health exam with acceptable tuberculosis screening, clear criminal records, FBI, and Child Abuse clearances (required post-offer and prior to employment).
• Preference given to current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents for employment vacancies.

Skills

• Knowledge
  • Basics of working with preschool children.
  • Purpose of Head Start, Early Head Start, or Pre-K Counts programs.
  • Basic food preparation, serving, and sanitation practices.
  • Knowledge of local resources, customs, and language is helpful.
• Abilities
  • Relate sensitively with children and work well with staff, parents, and families.
  • Follow directions and take initiative.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding families and program information.
  • Communicate effectively with children and staff.
  • Assist the Bus Driver safely with a vehicle full of children.
  • Work with children with disabilities.
• Language Skills
  • Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms.
  • Follow written and oral instructions.
  • Read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos.
  • Write simple correspondence.
  • Communicate positively and helpfully with families and children.
  • Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are helpful.
• Mathematical Skills
  • Basic arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Reasoning Skills
  • Apply common sense to carry out instructions.
  • Maintain confidentiality.
• Other Skills
  • Exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, and the public.
  • Project professionalism in daily activities.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Time spent riding on public roads in varying weather conditions (rain, snow, ice, wind, heat).
• Ability to assist with minor bus repairs, such as changing tires.
• May be required to lift up to 45 pounds.
• Exposure to communicable diseases.
• Moderate to loud noise levels in classroom, kitchen, or bus settings.
• Work is primarily performed in classrooms, kitchens, buses, or offices.
• Occasional evenings or weekend work for events such as home visits, parent-teacher conferences, or community events.

Standards of Conduct

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

• No use of corporal punishment, isolation, or binding/restricting a child’s movement.
• No withholding food as punishment or reward.
• No humiliating or demeaning toilet training methods.
• No emotional abuse, including public humiliation, rejecting, terrorizing, or ignoring a child.
• No physical or verbal abuse, including profane, sarcastic, or derogatory language.
• No use of physical activity or outdoor time as punishment or reward.
• Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family, refraining from stereotyping.
• Follow program confidentiality policies regarding children, families, and staff.
• Never leave a child alone or unsupervised while under care.