Classroom Assistant (Temporary)

Description

Position Summary:

The Classroom Assistant works collaboratively with the Team Leader and classroom staff to help ensure the preschool classroom provides a developmentally and linguistically appropriate learning environment. This environment supports each child’s individual pace of development, interests, temperament, cultural background, and learning style. The Classroom Assistant also helps ensure the classroom team operates in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, USDA requirements, state licensing regulations, and agency policies and procedures.

Benefits:

1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked

Holiday pay

Essential Job Functions:

1. Assist the classroom team in the following duties as outlined:

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

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

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

Conduct child observations and input data as assigned.

Document all contacts directly received from parents. Assist with written and electronic documentation of child observations.

Assist with the scheduling of parent-teacher conferences and home visits and participate in the conferences/visits as assigned.

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.

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

In the absence of the Team Leader, the CA may be assigned Team Leader responsibilities and duties.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

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

7. Actively participate in the creation & implementation of children’s individualized guidance plans, including staffing with your team.

8. Actively engage in coaching sessions by; being open to apply and analyze new teaching practices with the support of the Early Learning Coach.

9. Actively participate in a team approach with goal setting.

Other Job Functions:

Articulate EPIC’s mission, values and policies to staff and clients; demonstrate commitment to mission, values and policies in the performance of daily duties.

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.

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

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:

Personal computer, telephone, copy and fax machines

Conditions of Employment:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CEO Approval.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be at least 18 years of age

HS/GED Required

Washington State ECE Initial Certificate or Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) required. *Candidates who do not meet the minimum education requirement will be placed on a Professional Development Plan and must obtain the required credential within an established timeframe.

One year of classroom work experience with preschool children

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

Valid Washington State Driver’s License & Auto insurance

Preferred Qualifications:

AA in Early Childhood Education