Teacher Assistant I Early Head Start South LA

VOALA (Volunteers of America Los Angeles) is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services including Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing programs, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

About the Role

The Teacher Assistant will provide children (ages 2-3 years old) with an environment that includes varied activities to help children develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development. The overall goal is to achieve social competence for each child through a broad array of health, nutrition, and educational services.

Cities served include: Carson, Commerce, Compton, Culver City, Del Rey, East Los Angeles, El Segundo, Harbor City, Hawthorne, South Central Los Angeles, Lomita, Lynwood, Mar Vista, Newhall, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Palms, Paramount, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Fernando, San Pedro, Santa Clarita, Shadow Hills, South LA, Studio City, Sun Valley, Sunland, Sylmar, Torrance, Tujunga, Val Verde, Valencia, Valley Village, and Wilmington.

Responsibilities

• Provide children with an environment that includes varied activities to help them develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically.
• Implement the program curriculum for children enrolled in morning and afternoon classes (double sessions).
• Plan individual and group activities to stimulate learning and promote parent involvement in the child’s learning.
• Work cooperatively with Co-Teacher and Family Advocate (FA) to provide information and resources to enrolled families.
• Integrate various Head Start services into the learning, such as parent involvement, social services, nutrition, health, and mental health services.
• Conduct daily classroom planning, maintain children’s records in conjunction with the FA, and submit accurate monthly paperwork on a timely basis.
• Observe, screen, and assess children’s developmental levels and develop goals that relate to the child’s individual needs.
• Provide a planned program of activities that supports and enhances the role of parents as the prime educators of their children.
• Create a learning environment that reflects the varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the children in the program and the larger communities.
• Ensure a physical environment consistent with state and local licensing requirements and the health and safety needs of the children.
• Other duties as required to fulfill the program mission.

Requirements

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check (including criminal history), personal references, employment, and education verifications.
• TB clearance within 6 months prior to hire.
• Annual Influenza vaccination (between Nov. 1st - Mar. 31st).
• Pertussis (whooping cough) and measles immunization.
• Health screening at the time of employment.
• Ability to interact with children in a busy environment, including:
  • Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Frequently kneel and squat.
  • Ability to move quickly.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• 24 CD (Child Development) units in ECE/CD, including 6 units of infant/toddler for Early Head Start (EHS). At least 3 Infant/Toddler units required at hire; remaining units must be completed within a year of hire.
• Experience working with children.

Preferred Qualifications

• AA in ECE/CD with 24 units in CD or AA in a related field with 24 CD units, including 6 units of infant/toddler for EHS.
• Associate Teacher Child Development Permit or higher.
• 1 year of teaching experience.
• Experience with Creative Curriculum.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal).

Pay

$21.57 - $22.70 per hour.

Benefits

VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.