Floater

Innovative Network of Knowledge•Johnson City, TX

23h

About The Position

The Floater supports classroom activities and helps maintain a safe, organized, developmentally appropriate learning environment for children. The role assists teachers with classroom routines, transitions, learning activities, observations, and coordination with other program staff, while supporting children’s development and family engagement. The employee must protect children’s physical and mental health and safety, maintain appropriate supervision, follow standards of conduct, and report suspected or known child abuse and neglect. Employees must receive a COVID vaccination and an annual influenza vaccination or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption, and provide proof as a condition of employment. A high school diploma or GED is required. A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is required; the employee must obtain the CDA certificate within six months of employment. In mixed EHS and HS classrooms, both CDAs are required: the CDA for the most prevalent age group must be obtained first, with an additional six months granted for the second. If the first course attempt is unsuccessful, the employee may retake it at their expense within 60 days; failure to seek a second attempt results in separation from employment. Previous early childcare experience is preferred, as is Spanish bilingual ability. The position also requires sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the service population, professional composure, knowledge of INK policies and procedures, and the ability to organize and prioritize work in a fast-paced environment. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential required; CDA certificate must be obtained within six months of employment. In mixed EHS and HS classrooms, both CDAs are required, with the most prevalent age group completed first and an additional six months allowed for the second.
If the first CDA course attempt is unsuccessful, the employee may retake the course at their own expense within 60 days; failure to seek a second attempt results in separation from employment.
Ability to respond sensitively and competently to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the service population.
Ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times.
Working knowledge of Innovative Network of Knowledge policies and procedures.
Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
COVID vaccination and annual influenza vaccination, or an approved medical or religious exemption; proof is required for new hires.
Authorization to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Nice To Haves

Previous early childcare experience is preferred.
Bilingual Spanish ability is preferred; English and Spanish verbal and written communication are preferred.

Responsibilities

Protect children’s physical and mental health and safety, ensuring no child is left alone or unsupervised.
Assist in providing an organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and skill growth, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners as appropriate.
Assist with prescribed curricula and developmentally appropriate learning experiences across language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development; incorporate assessment data into individual and group planning.
Support child screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of developmental level and progress.
Support parent and family engagement in children’s development and program services, including conferences, home visits, and group activities.
Follow child-safety practices, including appropriate supervision, reporting suspected or known child abuse and neglect, and adhering to standards of conduct.
Maintain positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS: Pre-K instrument.
Participate in staff development, required training, continuing professional development, and staff wellness initiatives.
Support classroom activities as directed by the teacher and assist with transitions to and from the classroom.
Support the use and periodic updating of age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies, and indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
Communicate observations about children to teachers, including potential concerns affecting development and school readiness.
Support coordination between teachers and education, family, mental health, and child development program staff to address identified needs.
Support school functions, scheduled meetings, team decision-making, and operations.
Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
Perform other job duties as assigned.
Respond to classroom requests for support promptly and in compliance with Office of Head Start and agency requirements.
Communicate regularly with teachers about students’ behavior and progress.
Help maintain classrooms free from physical and environmental hazards.
Complete incident reporting within program policy and protocol timeframes.