PROGRAM: Birth-to-Five Head Start Program

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Non-exempt

DEPARTMENT: Disability & Mental Health Services

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Regular, Full-Time

REPORTS TO: Disability & Mental Health Technician

WORKING HOURS: Varies

SUPERVISES: None

LOCATION: 101 South Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78405; Will work at other locations.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Special Needs Assistant provides on-site support to the classroom with children that have been diagnosed with a significant disability and work with children in accordance to classroom management with a Mental Health Behavior Intervention plan. This requires the Special Needs Assistant to assist the teacher in stabilizing the learning environment through a daily curriculum lesson plan for a child with special needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Maintains open lines of communication with immediate supervisor.

Assists in classroom to provide support and technical assistance to teacher with those children experiencing difficulty in managing their emotions and behaviors.

Implements and applies long and short term objectives/goals of I.E.P. (Individual Educational Plan) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and assists teachers on implementation as well as provides materials to children with special needs.

Follows day to day direction by classroom teacher regarding daily lesson plans, classroom schedules and activates.

Cooperates with classroom staff and works collaboratively with, Disability/Mental Health staff, Special Education staff, Early childhood Intervention (ECI), therapists, LEA, while implementing appropriate behavior management techniques for identified children with disabilities., which will meet the best needs to service the child.

Assists child or selected children to understand how to control their behavior.

Assists the child with toileting or other personal care as needed during class time.

Provides individualized instruction to enhance the child's learning capabilities.

Reinforces positive and acceptable social behaviors.

Meets with Disability/Mental Health Technician or Coordinator to discuss progress and strategy.

Observe and assist the child on a daily basis to create a safe, healthy learning environment in the classroom. To assure the safety of all children including assigned child.

Promotes high self esteem, is a good role model, follows agency's behavior management system and code of ethics, and maintains confidentiality of child's record.

Maintains daily documentation of assigned children and documents progress of each child in folder.

Attends Head Start workshops and training sessions when assigned.

Will provide visual aids, modified schedules, flipcharts and other tools needed to best meet the needs of the child.

Performs other duties as assigned by Disability/Mental Health Coordinator and Head Start Director.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Normal physical activity includes frequent sitting, and occasional standing, and walking in a usual workday.

Performs under stress when confronted with emergency, critical, unusual, or dangerous situations.

Requires occasional twisting at desk when answering phone or typing at computer.

Requires occasional pulling out & pushing of drawers with occasional bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, kneeling, and reaching above shoulder level.

Requires employee to frequently lift and carry heavy objects such as boxes of supplies and paper or children.

Uses head in static position frequently and flexing/rotational movements occasionally.

Requires use of the five senses (hearing, seeing, touching, smelling, and tasting) to perform various job duties and in dealing with staff, clients, and outside.

Requires employee to use hands, arms, feet, legs, neck and head while performing Agency tasks.

Requires extensive speaking with staff, clients, and the general public.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Accepts responsibility for the direction, control, or planning of activities.

Influences people in their opinions, attitudes, or judgments about ideas.

Makes judgments or decisions based on sensory or judgmental criteria -- relies on one or more of the five physical senses.

Makes decisions based on measurable or verifiable data.

Able to give and receive instructions in a courteous, cooperative, conscientious, and tactful manner when dealing with co-workers, children, parents and volunteers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High School diploma or GED with 6 months’ experience with young children.

Must have CDA or must be in the process of obtaining a CDA.

Requires 1.5 CEU’s annually.

Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug test.

Must have transportation and current liability coverage on vehicle to be used in the performance of job duties. Moderate travel on a daily basis may be required.

Must successfully complete and maintain the following examinations, permits, and certifications:

Within two (2) weeks of employment

Food Handlers permit - Renewed every two years by expiration date

First Aid certification - Renewed every three (3) years by the expiration date

CPR Infant/Child certification - Renewed every year by expiration date

Possesses a valid Texas Driver's license (Operators-Class C), and is subject to review/approval by insurance company on driving record.

Dresses in appropriate attire with a neat personal appearance.

Proof of work eligibility must be provided.