Program Aide (Temporary)

Description

The Program Aide provides flexible support in a Head Start and Early Head Start centers, assisting with classroom activities for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children and stepping in to support nutrition services as needed. Under the direction of the teaching team, the Program Aide helps maintain a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment. When not needed in the classroom, this position assists the kitchen by prepping meals, portioning food, or helping with basic kitchen tasks in alignment with USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines and health and safety standards. The Program Aide plays a key role in promoting smooth daily operations and ensuring children receive consistent care and support throughout the day. The Program Aide will work with the various teams to ensure that the team works in accordance with Head Start performance standards, USDA requirements, state licensing requirements and agency policies and procedures.

Benefits:

• 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hour worked

Essential Job Functions:

1. Report to Center Manager or Assistant Center Manager upon arrival for daily assignments

a. Daily assignments may include coverage for other staff during breaks and planning time.

b. Work as a team member to meet the needs of the children, classroom and center as a whole.

c. Daily duties may change based upon center needs.

2. Assist the Teams in the following duties in accordance with Head Start/USDA requirements and as outlined in the Performance Standards.

o Assist in implementing classroom activities and preparation of materials and supplies.

o Assist in administering developmental assessments and health screenings for all children.

o Implement, support, and promote policies and procedures for Child Abuse and Neglect, Active Supervision and Child Guidance.

o Conduct child observations and gives information to teaching staff for implementation.

o Document all contact directly received from parents. Assist with written and electronic documentation of the provision of education and special services as assigned.

o Participate in the conferences/visits as needed.

o Provide assistance to classroom volunteers and parents to help them feel comfortable and successful in the classroom by providing guidance and direction to them during the classroom session.

o Use practices that value cultural backgrounds, special needs, and developmentally appropriate practices.

o Follow reporting procedures for Child Abuse and Neglect.

3. Supports the kitchen by preparing and portioning meals and snacks, ensuring food is handled safely and served according to CACFP guidelines and Head Start Nutrition Standards.

4. Provides coverage and flexible support where needed, including stepping into the or classroom to ensure consistent care and smooth operation during staff absences or high-need times.

5. Helps maintain cleanliness and organization in both the classroom and the kitchen areas, including sanitizing surfaces, cleaning up after meals, and restocking supplies if needed.

6. Maintain a safe, healthy and sanitary environment ensuring that children are supervised at all times; respond quickly to crisis or emergency situations that may occur; provide first aid, CPR, and access emergency services as needed.

7. Be committed to applying EPIC’s Core values to daily work by maintaining professionalism, accountability,

consistency with program standards, and promptly reporting observed concerns through appropriate

channels and following our Speak Up, Speak Out guidelines.

8.Proactively generate and document in-kind contributions.

9. Actively participate in professional development/coaching to improve student learning and performance.

10. Actively participate in center family nights, parent meetings, staff meetings, professional development opportunities and all relevant center activities.

Other Job Functions:

1. Articulate EPIC’s mission, values and policies to staff and clients; demonstrate commitment to mission,

values and policies in the performance of daily duties.

2. Adhere to the values that reflect the working culture at EPIC. Thus, honoring and modeling these values as you carry out your duties on a daily basis.

3. Communicate effectively by sharing concerns openly and honestly with appropriate staff members, observes confidentiality in all dealings related to program, staff and families.

4. Provide and maintain a safe, healthy, responsive and nurturing learning environment for all children by modeling professional behavior, open communication, embodying a culture of safety and utilizing effective conflict resolution skills.

Working Conditions/Physical/ Mental Abilities and Processes:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Work requires daily standing, sitting, walking, stooping, kneeling, lifting, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, speaking, hearing, seeing and the ability to articulate clearly; use of hands to finger, bending and reaching.

• Ability to lift a maximum of 50 pounds.

• Ability to feel or operate objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms.

• Ability to work with personal computer for long periods of time.

• Some travel to and from main office and training sites.

Additional Skills and Conditions:

• Excellent people skills.

• Sound and mature judgment.

• Work positively in a team setting.

• Demonstrate creativity, hard work, and be willing to try new approaches.

• Proficiency in computers, including MS Word.

• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to effectively manage workloads and meet deadlines.

• Ability to deal effectively and positively with staff, students and the public.

• Other duties as assigned.

Equipment Operated:

• Computer, telephone, copy and fax.

Conditions of Employment:

1. Prior to employment, complete a pre-employment drug screen, Tb skin test by an EPIC approved healthcare provider at no cost to the employee.

2. Pre-employment basic physical by an EPIC healthcare provider (obtain within (30) days of employment and no cost to the employee).

3. Must pass an initial and periodic background check through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).

4. Provide proof of MMR vaccination and/ or resistance to Measles, Mumps & Rubella.

5. Current Food Handlers card (obtain the training within 30 days of employment).

6. Current First Aid/CPR card (obtain within thirty 30 days of employment).

7. Complete Childcare Basics 30 hours STARS training within 3 months of hire

8. Meet the minimum education requirements within the timeframe as stated in the performance standards.

9. Complete Child Abuse and Neglect training and all other mandated training.

10. CEO Approval.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Must be at least 18 years of age.

2. HS/GED Required.

3. Valid Washington State Driver’s License & Auto insurance

4. Washington State ECE Initial Certificate or Preschool Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA). * Candidates who do not meet the minimum education requirement must meet this requirement within two (2) years of hire date and will be placed on a Professional Development Plan.

5. One year classroom work experience with preschool children.

6. Demonstrated ability to work closely with other team members, ability to grasp a team-centered approach to delivery of services for children and families.

Preferred Qualifications:

• AA in Early Childhood Education.