Teacher Aide (Full-time) - Head Start Program

General Summary

Under supervision, works cooperatively with and assists in the implementation of the Head Start Program. Assists in preparing the children and families by meeting program goals, objectives and outcomes to ensure the development of family goals, program health requirements and readiness skills. Assists in meeting individual needs of children and families.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Interacts with children and families throughout the day as directed by the Teacher and management staff.
• Encourages exploration, decision making and language stimulation.
• Supports parents in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher and provides positive reinforcement while building self-confidence and self-esteem within a healthy classroom environment.
• Uses active supervision strategies to ensure safety and accountability of all children.
• Participates in recruitment, registration and all required screenings for children, along with any assigned classroom activities.
• Maintains a clean, safe and healthy classroom and work environment in accordance with State Of Michigan Child Daycare Licensing regulations and all Head Start Performance Standards.
• Maintains, collects and enters data regarding ongoing child/family services provided, using program specific software.
• Works with individual children or small groups, when directed, to meet Head Start Performance Standards, program policies and procedures, objectives and child outcomes.
• Affirms compliance with Head Start, Local, State and Federal regulations for early childhood programming.
• Stays current with early childhood developmentally appropriate practices through online training/videos, conferences, seminars and in-service training as determined by Head Start Program Performance Standards and in consultation with Agency leadership.
• Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions, including travel between various classroom sites during designated shift.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED
• Education and Experience:
  • High School diploma or GED
  • Preferred: Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Development or a related field from an accredited college or university
  • Child Development Associate credential
  • Previous experience working with preschool age children
  • Previous experience with a Head Start Program
• Licenses Or Certifications: Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel

Competencies For Successful Performance Of Job Duties

• Knowledge of current early childhood development techniques and practices for working with children who present challenging behaviors
• Skill In Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with staff, clients, families, outside professionals, agencies, and the public
• Ability To Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Speak and understand a language other than English is preferred

Work Environment/Conditions

• Office or similar indoor environment
• Outdoor environment
• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Construction site
• Confined space
• Individuals who are hostile or irate
• Individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
• Communicable diseases
• Moving mechanical parts
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste
• Loud noises (85+ decibels)
• Blood Borne Pathogens

Physical Demands

• Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground
• Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist)
• Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms
• Crawling (moving about on hands and knees)
• Lifting/Carrying/Moving objects from one level/position to another up to 50 pounds
• Pushing/Pulling objects away from or towards the body
• Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended)
• Sitting in a seated position during the task performance
• Standing in an upright position without movement
• Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces
• Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces
• Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing)

General Requirements And Disclaimers

• Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.
• The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.
• Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.

Grant Or Externally Funded Position

This position will continue only if sufficient grant or external funds are provided.

United Auto Workers Local 889 Bargaining Unit

The United Auto Workers Local 889 bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.