Teacher Assistant

Position Data: 

Grade: T1 – T4 Non-Exempt

Reports to: Center Director/Center Director 2/UPK Site Supervisor 

Full time 10 month 37.5 hour/week 

Basic Function or Position Summary: 

Responsible for the supervision, care and education of a classroom of children; implements developmentally appropriate activities under the direction of the teacher.    Salary $16.48 - $18.52/hourly  37.5 hour/week Full-time

 Security Clearance: Lv. 2 V, A, C, R. 

Position Responsibilities and Specific Duties: 

•  Utilize nurturing and responsive practices and interactions that foster trust and emotional security; are communication and language rich; promote growth in the developmental progressions described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five   
•  Implement well-organized learning environments with developmentally appropriate schedules, lesson plans, and indoor and outdoor learning experiences that provide adequate opportunities for choice, play, exploration, and experimentation 
•  Support and implement a daily schedule of program activities that offers reasonable regularity in routines. 
•  As directed, lead or support individual and group activities. 
•  Support the development of the home language for dual language learners. 
•  Promote learning through approaches to rest, meals, routines, and physical activity. 
•  Assist in completing/obtaining a current developmental screening to identify concerns regarding a child’s developmental, behavioral, motor, language, social, cognitive, and emotional skills within 45 calendar days of when the child first attends the program 
•  Integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning. 
•  Communicate with parents to ensure they are well-informed about their child’s routines, activities, and behavior. 
•  Implement IEP’s, IFSP’s, and behavior plans with fidelity. 
•  Assist with conducting parent conferences and home visits with each family. 
•  Provide a safe and healthy learning environment. 
•  Ensure the health and safety of children by ensuring competent supervision of all children in care.  
•  Utilize CAPTAIN/Teacher Strategies Gold for tracking and maintaining all children records along with documentation of individual family contacts. 
•  Conduct daily health checks for children 
•  Participate in assigned tasks necessary for the preparation of learning centers, activities, and materials required for planned activities. 
•  Together with the teacher, maintain accurate, complete and timely records, including but not limited to attendance, meals and observations of children. 
•  Serve meals to children ensuring dietary restrictions and safety for allergies are followed; model eating new and diverse food options. 
•  Maintain personal hygiene of children, including provide learning opportunities for washing of hands and use of restroom facilities 
•  Assist volunteer staff with their assigned tasks. 
•  Participates in service enrollment and recruitment strategies • Support the planning and implementation of family events 
•  Promotes agency mission. 
•  Maintains confidentiality and complies with the code of ethics. 
•  Maintains consistent professional customer service. 
•  Job performance incorporates integrated service delivery model while promoting self-sufficiency. 
•  Other duties as designated by supervisor 

Key Working Relationships:  

A. Internal: Division staff members, Central Services staff members.  

B. External: Service providers, Consultants, Volunteers and Parents  

 Supervisory Scope: 

A. Number of staff supervised: 0 

B. Titles supervised: None  

Organizational Responsibilities: 

•  Adheres to all policies and procedures 
•  Gathers appropriate documentation and tracks outcomes. 
•  Participates in organizational committee structures as appropriate. 
•  Participates in organizational and divisional management systems  

Knowledge, Skills Required: 

•  High school diploma or general education degree (GED)  
•  One year experience working with children. 
•  Must obtain CDA credential within two years of employment. 
•  Ability to work on a team. 
•  Good verbal and written communication skills. 
•  Computer skills required. 
•  Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.   

Physical:

•  Ability to lift up to and including 25-50 pounds of physical effort  

Special Requirements: 

•  Meets OCFS training requirements and maintains training logs. 
•  Flexibility in work schedule. 
•  Must be able to provide consistent even tempered customer service at all times 
•  Pre-employment physical exams and TB Testing  
•  Valid Driver’s license  
•  Works compassionately with a diverse population