Center Support Assistant

Ecs4Kids•Jacksonville, FL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Center Support Assistant provides a warm, nurturing, stimulating, safe, and loving environment where children can develop language, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills. The role supports classroom activities and may also include kitchen and janitorial duties, as applicable. The position works with children from birth to age five and their families, following ECS policies and applicable federal, state, local, and accreditation standards. This role reports to the Center Manager.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Knowledge of child growth and development and developmentally appropriate practices for children from birth to age five.
Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment, maintain classroom discipline, and implement the approved curriculum.
Good judgment and emotional maturity; ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse staff and families.
Proper grammar and communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures.
Ability to maintain confidential information, plan and organize work, and maintain records.
Willingness to learn and continue personal education.
Complete TB screening and physical before direct contact with children, renewing every two years.
Begin DCF-required 45-hour training within 90 days of employment and complete it within one year.
Complete the online Serving Safe Food in Childcare Food Handlers Course within 90 days of employment.
Maintain current First Aid and Pediatric CPR training.
Complete at least 25 hours of in-service training annually from July 1 through June 30.
Pass a Level II background screening, including local, state, and federal criminal checks.
Acceptable eyesight and hearing, with or without correction; ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to perform heavy physical work, including lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to 50 pounds; physical work is more than 70% of the job.

Nice To Haves

DCF 45-hour training and a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential are highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist in the classroom as needed and become familiar with the day’s planned activities.
Implement culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate educational activities for children individually or in small groups.
Provide a positive, nurturing environment, use positive guidance techniques, and uphold the ECS Discipline Policy.
Build nurturing relationships with children to encourage social and emotional development.
Maintain applicable federal, state, local, and accreditation standards, including those set by NAEYC, APPLE, ECS, DCF, and Early Head Start.
Follow procedures for medical and dental emergencies, short-term exclusion of children, and handling and administering medications.
Follow safe practices to prevent injuries to children and staff; maintain sanitation and hygiene procedures and help maintain the center.
Communicate effectively with families, encourage parental involvement, and participate in family-style meals with children.
Follow infants’ individual feeding schedules and hold infants who cannot sit independently while feeding, when working with Early Head Start.
Communicate with staff, attend meetings and trainings, and share information to better serve children and families.
Maintain appropriate records, including children’s portfolios when regular staff are absent.
When kitchen duties apply, assemble and deliver meals and snacks on time; complete temperature tracking; coordinate supplies; wash dishes; submit vendor delivery slips; clean and sanitize kitchen areas; and discard trash and supply boxes.
When janitorial duties apply, clean floors, bathrooms, and public areas; empty trash; monitor building safety and security; keep hallways clear; report repair needs and hazards; maintain supply inventory and equipment; and properly label, dilute, and use chemicals.