Head Start Substitute Teacher and Support Staff Positions

North East Kingdom Community Action•Lyndon Center, VT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

NEKCA is hiring intermittent, part-time substitute staff for its Early Childhood and Family Services department. Depending on the position being covered, substitutes may assist with classroom teaching, teaching-assistant duties, food service, or janitorial work. Substitute Teachers help create and maintain a respectful classroom culture that supports safe, productive learning and follow center policies, state regulations, quality requirements, and standards. Substitute Teaching Assistants contribute to a safe, nurturing environment for children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development and help carry out classroom routines and activities. Substitute Food Service Providers prepare and serve meals and snacks in accordance with USDA/CACFP regulations, Vermont child-care licensing rules, and sanitation requirements. Substitute Janitors maintain the center facility in clean, orderly condition and comply with applicable Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards. Substitutes follow applicable Head Start Performance Standards, Content Area Plans, Vermont child-care licensing regulations, NAEYC guidance, and NEKCA standards of conduct. They support classroom management, foster a safe and inviting environment, and assist center staff with identified tasks when covering an absent employee. Employees must attend in person during scheduled hours as defined by their supervisor. Work is primarily in a temperature-controlled classroom, may include time outdoors in calm, moderate weather, and involves noise levels ranging from moderate to loud. Duties may involve extended sitting and standing, computer and office-equipment use, bending, and lifting. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. The position does not supervise staff. Employees are mandated reporters and must comply with Vermont’s mandated-reporter law and the program’s child-protection protocol. NEKCA requires a criminal-record check and may verify education and employment history. The organization is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Requirements

Must comply with NEKCA policies if hired.
Must authorize and pass NEKCA’s criminal-record check process.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Dependable transportation sufficient to meet job requirements.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and accurate records.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain good relations with participants, staff, and community members.
Knowledge of basic computer skills and record keeping, including spreadsheet applications.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and database management systems.
Ability to work flexible hours as required by program needs.
Ability to demonstrate positive problem-solving in stressful situations.
Familiarity with and sensitivity to challenges faced by low-income individuals, and some knowledge of the community and available resources.
Must complete required trainings and professional development.
Must fulfill mandated-reporter responsibilities.
For food-service duties, knowledge of food preparation, meal service, sanitation requirements, early-childhood development, and nutritional requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with young children or education in Early Childhood is preferred for Substitute Teaching Assistants.
Experience in food service is preferred for Substitute Food Service Providers.

Responsibilities

Understand plans and implement them when the position being substituted for is absent.
Foster a safe and inviting environment and support classroom management.
Support center staff with identified tasks.
Follow Head Start Performance Standards, Content Area Plans, Vermont child-care licensing regulations, NAEYC guidance, and NEKCA standards of conduct.
Recognize indicators of child abuse and neglect and comply with Vermont’s Mandated Reporter Law and the program’s Child Protection Protocol.
For teaching-assistant coverage, work as part of the center team to provide a safe, nurturing environment for children’s development and growth and participate in classroom routines and activities.
For food-service coverage, prepare and serve meals and snacks in accordance with applicable USDA/CACFP, licensing, and sanitation requirements, including serving meals family style at the specified intervals.
For janitorial coverage, maintain the center facility in clean, orderly condition and comply with applicable Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards.
Maintain participant confidentiality and attend in person during scheduled hours as defined by the supervisor.
Complete required trainings and professional development.