This is a substitute position, and works an unpredictable/as-needed schedule. This position will supervise children in the absence of the regular teacher aide.
Watch our video, "Why Work for EOAC" & "A Day in the Life of an EOAC Head Start Teacher Assistant"
The individual selected for the position must be able to perform the essential functions of the position either with or without a reasonable accommodation.
General Responsibilities:
It is the responsibility of all EOAC employees to support EOAC’s mission and goals, to respect the confidentiality of all who come to us for information or assistance, and to personally maintain the dignity and integrity of one who is placed in a position of public trust. We all bear the responsibility of improving the organization, communicating openly and empowering each other to excel at our work. Maintain confidentiality of client/agency information as required by State and Federal laws, appropriate regulations, and professional practice.
Essential Functions:
Must be able to communicate effectively to individuals/groups in both verbal and written form. ex: coworkers, customers and suppliers/vendors.
Ability to work with a positive and professional attitude.
Must consistently demonstrate and communicate EOAC’s Mission and Vision.
Must be able to meet the specific needs of children and work to nurture children’s physical, social and emotional growth in a childcare setting
Provides consistent supervision of children at all times. Must have ability to use appropriate and positive discipline
Assist in implementing the program curriculum and the Head Start Performance Standards for classrooms.
Provide input into the preparation of developmentally appropriate daily lesson plans, including multicultural educational materials and activities; classroom and playground activities; family style dining at meals and snacks, per HSPS and program policy and procedure; and individualized activities that are recorded in the lesson plans.
Assist in organizing the classroom in well-developed and defined learning centers, rotating materials routinely to create a stimulating learning environment for young children, including preparing educational, and eye-catching displays for the room, changing and maintaining displays regularly; displays children’s work at their level.
Assist in maintaining a classroom that is clean, safe and free of clutter, with learning materials labeled and organized to make them easily accessible for use by the children; prepare the room prior to the children’s arrival; clean and prepare the classroom for the next day.
Assist in documenting volunteer activities and parent input in the lesson plans. Assist with recruiting classroom volunteers and planning activities for them to do in the classroom
Assist in observing children and recording observations, making appropriate referrals to the Teacher. Assist with developmental screenings, as assigned, ensuring proper administration of screening and accurate results. Ensure appropriate documentation is completed, according to following program requirements and procedures.
Greet and politely converse with parents and children, in a pleasant and appropriate tone, ensuring a positive home-center connection and a family partnership. Work with the Teacher to maintain ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents through a variety of methods (phone calls, notes, informal conferences) and assist in preparing parent/child take-home activities. Encourage parents to become involved in workshops, training, parent meetings, and other Head Start activities.
Assist Teacher with at least two (2) home visits and two (2) parent conferences with each child’s family per year, according to the program schedule
Assist in maintaining accurate records and reports and with maintaining supplies and developing lists to replace them as assigned. Participates in all assigned center staff meetings, case management meetings, and Head Start program meetings.
Reports to work at scheduled time and maintain a good attendance record. Performs duties in a timely and professional manner. Participates in all program activities with a positive attitude and behavior.
Continues professional growth by participating in training and workshops/conferences self-obtained and by the program.
Mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse and neglect.
Assures confidentiality of records and privileged information at all times.
Other duties as assigned.
Competencies:
Facilitate children’s learning using appropriate child guidance techniques.
Involve parents in all aspects of the classroom.
Must have good organizational skills and proven ability to work within timelines to meet demands.
Contributes to the development of communication, mutual respect, mutual support, competence, and creativity among all members of agency staff.
A high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
Intermediate skill and familiarity with Microsoft Office Applications: Word, Excel and Outlook.
Must have effective presentation of information and strong spoken language skills.
Ability and desire to work with pre-school age children from an at-risk population.
Ability to maintain confidentially of student records, center records, and other sensitive student data.
Extensive knowledge of childcare principles and procedures.
Ability to relate to children and make the childcare facility an enjoyable atmosphere.
Knowledge of early childhood teaching strategies.
Comply with all Child Care Licensing and Head Start program requirements.
Ability to collaborate with lead teacher.
Work Environment
This job primarily operates in a day care environment with ambient lighting, and climate control.
This job secondarily operates outside, in a playground environment with exposure to temperature, and humidity extremes, and weather conditions.
This role uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; squat, bend, stoop, kneel, use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, lift children, and bending or standing on a stool as necessary.
Prolonged periods of standing and frequent bending.
Lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
Maintain emotional control under stress.
May be required under specific circumstances to provide appropriate physical restraint of students in danger of causing harm to themselves or others.
Exposure to temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination. Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, etc.).
Minimum Qualifications:
Must possess a High School diploma or GED equivalent.
Must assume responsibility for maintaining progress toward higher education and obtain CDA Certification Or One (1) year of credits from an accredited college or university, with six (6) semester or equivalent quarter hours in early child development within twelve (12) months of employment.
Must pass CPR/First Aid courses and renew annually.
Must be able to pass Criminal History check including FBI fingerprint and DFPS background check. Must have clearance by the Child Care Division, Criminal History Registry. Candidate must have a satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50.00) paid by the employee.
Must be able to pass pre-employment tuberculosis (TB) test. Non-refundable fee (approximately $25.00) paid by the employee.
Must pass all pre-employment contingencies including post-offer pre-employment physical, and alcohol and drug screen.
Preferred Qualifications:
One (1) year of full time early childhood experience in licensed early childhood program/center.
Valid and current CPR/First Aid certification.
Other Duties:
Perform all other duties as deemed necessary.
*This form reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential function of the job identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent to the job.
Failure to comply with Personnel policies, job responsibilities, and functions, safety policies, can result in disciplinary actions up to and including termination.