Program Aide On-Call

About the role

Program Aides On-Call are generalists responsible for providing educational, relational and social experiences for infants, toddlers and/or preschool-aged children to foster growth and development in all developmental domains. This position reports to the Education and Inclusion Manager or Center Director and may travel to various program sites and/or conduct home visits. You may be assigned to classrooms, centers, bus routes, cafeterias or kitchens as needed to support program operations and daily classroom management.

Responsibilities

Application of clear practice and procedure in day-to-day execution of job; organize self and manage time to get things done; keep manager informed of important issues; build effective relationships within workgroup and with children/families; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

• Classroom Assistance: Assist classroom staff in all classroom activities; assist the Teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises (e.g., at Family Nights, copying newsletters, cutting out classroom materials, making phone calls, etc.); serve as a temporary substitute in the periodic absence of the Assistant Teacher or Teacher.
• Janitorial Assistance: Provide custodial support as needed, including picking up trash, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming or using industrial cleaning equipment to clean floors; clean and stock bathrooms; ensure buildings are secure; clean windows; perform minor building maintenance and repairs; may serve as custodian in the absence of the regular custodian on a periodic basis.
• Kitchen Assistance: Complete routine kitchen/dining room/food chores as assigned (e.g., dishwashing, portioning foods, taking and logging temperature of foods received from vendors); prepare food and serve items for service prior to or after use, including preparation to meet the needs of children with special needs or disabilities; participate in food service clean up, inventory, and other food service tasks as requested; substitute for regular Cook or Assistant Cook as needed; assist Cook and/or Assistant Cook to fulfill kitchen duties in any capacity; comply with all local, state, and federal standards regarding hygiene and sanitation.
• Other General Job Duties: May be required to serve as a Bus Monitor; attend all workshops and meetings as necessary; attend required staff and parent meetings and activities; gain understanding of Head Start Program Performance Standards and local childcare licensing regulations; maintain knowledge of regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including universal precautions and contamination prevention; positively promote Head Start in the community; maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures; become thoroughly familiar with Save the Children Head Start Employee Handbook, Save the Children Head Start Human Resources Policies and Procedures, manuals and resources and adhere to them.

Requirements

• Must be at minimum 18 years of age.
• Minimum high school diploma or G.E.D.
• Certification as applicable by federal, state or local Head Start or childcare regulations, now or as amended in the future.
• Within 90 days of employment, obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/state regulations).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the basics of working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated ability to relate sensitively with children and to work well and communicate effectively with staff, parents and families.
• Proven ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential.
• Demonstrated ability to work with children with disabilities.

Additional Qualifications

• Physical Requirements: Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5–10 pounds constantly; activities include sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping; includes repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use.
• Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.
• This position requires operating a motor vehicle to fulfill essential functions; maintain a valid driver’s license and remain in compliance with Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.