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 require travel to various program sites and/or home visits. You may be assigned to classrooms, centers, bus routes, cafeterias, or kitchens as needed for program operations. As a frontline representative of Save the Children, Program Aides ensure the safety and security of children and families while adhering to the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity.

Responsibilities

• Apply clear practice and procedure in day-to-day execution of the job.
• Organize and manage time effectively to complete tasks.
• Keep the manager informed of important issues.
• Build effective relationships within the workgroup and with children and families.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Classroom Assistance

• Assist classroom staff in all activities.
• Support the Teacher in program needs (e.g., Family Nights, copying newsletters, preparing classroom materials, making phone calls).
• Serve as a temporary substitute in the absence of the Assistant Teacher or Teacher.

Janitorial Assistance

• Provide custodial support, including trash pickup, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning and stocking bathrooms, securing buildings, cleaning windows, and minor building maintenance.
• May serve as custodian in the absence of the regular custodian.

Kitchen Assistance

• Complete routine kitchen/dining room/food chores (e.g., dishwashing, portioning foods, logging food temperatures).
• Prepare and serve food, including special dietary needs for children with disabilities.
• Participate in food service cleanup, inventory, and other tasks as requested.
• Substitute for the Cook or Assistant Cook as needed.
• Comply with all local, state, and federal hygiene and sanitation standards.

Other General Duties

• May serve as a Bus Monitor.
• Attend workshops, staff meetings, and parent meetings as required.
• Understand and adhere to Head Start Program Performance Standards and local childcare licensing regulations.
• Follow occupational safety regulations, including universal precautions and contamination prevention.
• Promote Head Start positively in the community.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
• Familiarize yourself with Save the Children’s Head Start Employee Handbook and HR policies.

Requirements

• Minimum age of 18.
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Certification as required by federal, state, or local Head Start or childcare regulations.
• Obtain and maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification within 90 days of employment (or sooner if required by local/state regulations).
• Demonstrated knowledge of working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to relate sensitively with children and communicate effectively with staff, parents, and families.
• Ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience working with children with disabilities.

Additional Qualifications

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work, including lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 5-10 pounds constantly.
• Perform activities such as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping.
• Repetitive motion skills, keyboarding, and computer use.

Clear pre-employment background checks are required, including criminal records, sex offender registries, employment and education verifications, and child abuse registry checks (if required by state regulations). Must pass all state and local health requirements post-job offer and prior to employment.

This position may require operating a motor vehicle; a valid driver’s license and compliance with Save the Children’s vehicle policies are required.

Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.