Head Start Teacher Assistant

Nooksack Indian Tribe•Deming, WA

17h•$20 - $21•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Lead Teacher and in collaboration with the Education Coordinator, the Teacher Assistant (TA) assists in providing a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children enrolled in the Nooksack Indian Tribe (NIT) Head Start program. The TA supports the supervision, education, and engagement of children in the classroom, on the bus, on the playground, during field trips, and at all other Head Start activities. Responsibilities include assisting with daily health and safety practices, preparing instructional materials, setting up and maintaining the classroom environment, cleaning and organizing the classroom at the end of each day, serving as a bus monitor when assigned, and assisting the Lead Teacher with planning and implementing classroom activities as requested. The normal work schedule is an eight-hour shift from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Occasional evening meetings, trainings, or special events may be required based on program needs. The TA must be willing and able to work at either the Everson or Deming Head Start Center based on program needs. This position is contingent upon the continued availability of grant funding.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED
Must be able to and willing to enroll in a Child Development Associates credential program upon hire and complete the program within two (2) years of hire.
OR Must be able and willing to enroll in an Early Childhood Associates Degree program upon hire and complete the degree within two years from date of hire.
Must pass alcohol/drug test upon job offer and throughout employment.
This position requires regular contact with or control over children and is therefore subject to an extensive Criminal Background Check, including fingerprinting, at time of hire and periodically thereafter.
Must adhere to the Confidentiality Policy and statement must be signed.
Complete all required medical examinations, tests, screenings, and immunizations required by applicable federal, state, tribal, licensing, and Head Start regulations.
Must pass an initial health examination and pass a re-examination every two years as recommended by their health care provider in accordance with tribal, state, or local requirements that include screeners or tests for communicable diseases, as appropriate.
Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must Provide Driving Abstract at time of hire).
Obtain and maintain Infant, Child & Adult First Aid & CPR Certified, completed no later than first available training offered upon hire.
Obtain and maintain Food Handler’s Permit, completed no later than first available training offered upon hire.
Bloodborne Pathogens Training, completed no later than first available training offered upon hire and periodically thereafter as required of the program.
Child abuse & Neglect Mandated Reporter Training, completed no later than first available training offered upon hire and periodically thereafter as required of the program.
Must complete fire extinguisher training no later than first available training offered upon hire, and annually thereafter.
Be able to stand, walk, sit, twist, bend/stoop, squat/kneel, move quickly, and reach on a daily basis.
Be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision with or without corrective lenses, as well as peripheral vision and depth perception.
Willing and able to interact with children at their level (i.e., sitting on the floor)
Frequently alternates between standing, walking, bending, kneeling, sitting on the floor, and actively supervising children throughout the day.
Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, and telephone system
Read, write, speak and understand English
Ability to listen, understand customers, and explain rules, regulations, and policies in a clear and understandable manner.
Operate in mentally and physically stressful situations with composure.
May have to walk/drive between office locations under a variety of conditions.

Nice To Haves

Ability to work in a Native American community.
Ability to maintain health and safety standards.
Head Start parent preference.
Must be culturally sensitive.

Responsibilities

Assists in supervising up to 20 children with at least one other classroom staff member, maintaining a staff-to-child ratio of no more than one adult to 10 children at all times.
Assist with supervising, teaching, guiding, and engaging children throughout all daily classroom activities, including learning centers, group activities, mealtimes, outdoor play, and field trips.
Maintains the safety and orderly supervision of children at all times and remains actively engaged and positioned to observe the assigned group.
Serves as a positive role model by demonstrating appropriate behavior, helping children resolve conflicts, and providing guidance in developmentally appropriate behavior consistent with NIT Head Start curricula, policies, and procedures.
Interacts with children in ways that encourage language development, including asking open-ended questions, reading aloud, labeling children’s artwork, engaging in conversations, and participating in dramatic play.
Assists children who experience difficulty participating in group activities and, under the guidance of the Lead Teacher, provides individualized support as needed.
Supervises children during bathroom use while maintaining required staff-to-child ratios and assists children in developing age-appropriate self-help skills.
Remains in the assigned classroom or supervision area at all times and clearly communicates with the Lead Teacher regarding breaks, assignments, or any need to leave the classroom.
Assists the Lead Teacher in planning, preparing, and implementing developmentally appropriate lessons and classroom activities.
Assists the Lead Teacher with required classroom documentation, including attendance, health checks, screenings, assessments, lesson planning, and ongoing child progress monitoring.
Observes and documents significant behaviors, injuries, accidents, or incidents involving children and completes the appropriate Incident or Accident Report forms in accordance with program procedures.
Follows all NIT Head Start health and safety policies, emergency procedures, individual child health plans, and accommodations for allergies, medical conditions, dietary restrictions, and other health needs.
Assists children with daily health and hygiene routines, including toothbrushing, handwashing, toileting, and other personal-care needs.
Changes diapers in accordance with approved diapering procedures, cleans and disinfects the diapering area using the required cleaning process, and documents each diaper change on the Diaper Log.
Ensures the first-aid backpack is properly stocked, accessible, and available during outdoor play, field trips, emergency drills, and other activities away from the classroom.
Maintains a clean, sanitary, and safe learning environment by cleaning and disinfecting toys, equipment, tables, sinks, bathrooms, floors, play surfaces, and classroom materials daily and completing weekly deep cleaning and sanitization of classroom equipment.
Completes required cleaning and sanitation logs as directed by the Lead Teacher.
Opens and prepares the classroom each day by organizing learning materials, preparing educational activities, checking classroom supplies, and ensuring the learning environment is clean, safe, and ready for children.
Serves as a bus monitor when assigned by assisting the bus driver with supervising children during transportation to and from the center and on field trips, ensuring children safely board and exit the bus, and verifying that all required child safety restraints and seat belts are properly secured at all times.
Ensures all children are signed in and out by authorized individuals and releases children only to persons listed on the Emergency Consent Form, verifying photo identification when necessary.
Performs other related duties as assigned by the Lead Teacher, Education Coordinator, or authorized supervisor.
Promotes healthy habits and good personal hygiene by ensuring children wash their hands before and after meals and snacks in accordance with program health and safety procedures.
Supervises and actively engages with children during meals and snacks by modeling appropriate table manners, encouraging positive social interactions, and facilitating age-appropriate conversations.
Assists children in setting tables and promotes age-appropriate self-help skills, including setting the table, serving themselves using child-sized utensils, pouring milk, water, or other beverages, and cleaning up after meals.
Encourages children to select appropriate portion sizes, try new foods, and develop healthy eating habits while using mealtimes as opportunities to promote nutrition education and independence.
Monitors children during meals to ensure food is served safely and appropriately while following individual dietary restrictions, food allergies, physician orders, and health plans.
Communicates with kitchen staff regarding meal service needs, including replenishing food, beverages, and supplies to ensure meals are served efficiently.
Assists children with cleaning up after meals and snacks by teaching and supporting age-appropriate responsibilities, including scraping plates, emptying cups, stacking dishes, and pushing in chairs.
Cleans and sanitizes tables before and after meals using the required three-step cleaning and sanitizing procedure and follows kitchen staff procedures for meal service cleanup and dish collection.
Maintains a safe dining environment by promptly identifying and cleaning spills, removing potential safety hazards, and ensuring the meal area remains clean, sanitary, and organized throughout meal service.
Conducts daily playground safety inspections before children enter the outdoor play area, checking for hazards including damaged equipment, broken fencing, open gates, animal waste, garbage, unsafe vegetation, holes, large sticks, and any other conditions that may pose a safety risk.
Immediately reports playground hazards, damaged equipment, or maintenance concerns to the Lead Teacher or Program Management and follows established procedures for requesting maintenance repairs.
Ensures all children wear properly fitted helmets while riding tricycles or bicycles and routinely inspects helmets, straps, and riding equipment for signs of damage. Removes damaged equipment from service until it has been repaired or replaced.
Ensures tricycles and other outdoor equipment are properly stored at the end of each day and reports damaged equipment to the Lead Teacher.
Actively supervises and engages with children during outdoor play by maintaining constant visual and auditory supervision, encouraging safe play, and participating in planned activities that promote gross and fine motor development.
Ensures the classroom First Aid Kit backpack is taken to the playground for all outdoor activities and remains readily accessible in the event of an emergency.
Attends and actively participates in required trainings, workshops, conferences, classes, staff meetings, and teaching team meetings to support professional growth and program operations. Some training opportunities may occur outside of regular work hours, require overnight travel, or extend beyond the normal workday.
Collaborates with the Lead Teacher, Education Coordinator, and other members of the teaching team to discuss classroom operations, child development, individualized support strategies, and program goals.
Maintains strict confidentiality of all child, family, staff, and program information in accordance with the Nooksack Indian Tribe (NIT) Confidentiality Policy, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and applicable federal, state, and tribal regulations.
Works occasional evening hours, including up to one evening per month, to support Family Fun Nights, parent meetings, trainings, and other program-sponsored activities as required.
Complies with all Nooksack Indian Tribe (NIT), Early Childhood Education Department, and Head Start policies, procedures, and standards, including but not limited to attendance and punctuality, professional conduct, dress code, cell phone use, visitor procedures, classroom expectations, confidentiality, social media, and the established chain of command.
Demonstrates dependable work habits by maintaining regular attendance and punctuality and notifying the appropriate supervisor as soon as possible whenever unable to report to work or arriving late.
Maintains working knowledge of applicable Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), tribal policies, and state licensing requirements.
Schedules breaks in coordination with the Lead Teacher to minimize disruptions to classroom instruction, supervision, and daily routines.
Communicates respectfully and professionally with children, families, coworkers, supervisors, volunteers, and community partners while fostering a positive, collaborative, and culturally responsive work environment.
Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the successful operation of the Nooksack Indian Tribe Head Start Program.
The Tribe is committed to community service and the well-being of its members. Therefore, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.