Early Head Start Floater

Community Action of South Mississippi • Vancleave, MS

13d

About The Position

The Floater serves as a classroom substitute when regular classroom staff is absent and works in other capacities as assigned to help maintain program ratios. The role provides opportunities for children’s physical and cognitive growth in a safe, sanitary, inviting classroom environment. The Floater assists teachers with quality classroom activities that meet or exceed Head Start Performance Standards, supervises and enhances services provided to children, and supports students’ academic achievement, competence, and social skills.

The position involves frequent movement throughout classrooms and the facility, repetitive use of wrists, hands, and fingers while operating standard office equipment, and extended periods of activity. The Floater must be able to lift children weighing 50 pounds or more when necessary, participate in floor-level and outdoor activities, keep pace with children, recognize hazards, and accompany children on field trips, including helping them on and off buses and crossing streets. The role also requires strong communication, customer service, computer and office-technology skills, the ability to adapt activities to children’s individual needs, and the ability to supervise and respond quickly to active children. A valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record are required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) within 18 months of the start date.
• Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills, including keyboard proficiency, and ability to use office technology such as telephones and fax machines.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to apply Early Childhood Development knowledge, focus on infant/toddler theory in daily activities, and adapt to children’s individual needs.
• Ability to supervise children and move quickly to respond to active children and protect their safety.
• Ability to lift children weighing 50 pounds or more when required.
• Ability to remain active for extended periods, participate in floor-level and outdoor activities, and keep pace with children.
• Ability to recognize hazards and dangerous situations and take appropriate action.
• Ability to perceive the nature of sound at normal speaking levels, with or without correction.

Nice To Haves

• At least six months of experience working with toddlers and preschool-age children is preferred.
• Superior customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a classroom substitute when regular classroom staff is absent.
• Work in other assigned capacities to help maintain program ratios.
• Support children’s physical and cognitive growth in a safe, sanitary, inviting classroom environment.
• Assist teachers in providing classroom activities that meet or exceed Head Start Performance Standards.
• Supervise and enhance services provided to children.
• Provide assistance to increase students’ academic achievement, competence, and social skills.
• Supervise and monitor children at all times and respond to safety hazards or situations requiring redirection.
• Accompany children on field trips and assist them on and off the bus and when crossing streets.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED