Program Aide Preschool

UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER•Milwaukee, WI

20h•Onsite

About The Position

This position works as a part of a team to assist in activities in the areas of the classroom, kitchen and bus and/or to serve as a disabilities aide as needed. The position contains elements of job descriptions of positions with titles similar classroom aide, bus monitor, janitor and kitchen aide and as a disability’s aide providing support for children with disabilities. Works with typically developing children and/or children with special needs/ disabilities. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers/bus routes as deemed necessary for program operations. This position may receive content area technical support and training from the staff person responsible for center supervision, teacher, bus driver, staff person responsible for transportation, kitchen staff and/or program managers/specialist/coordinators.

Requirements

Must have the physical, emotional and mental ability to assist the Bus Driver with a vehicle full of children in a safe and pleasant manner when riding the bus.
Ability to learn the U.S. Department of Transportation and CDL regulations
Ability to communicate both written and orally.
Ability to follow directions from both written and oral instructions.
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence and memos.
Ability to write simple correspondence.
Ability to communicate with families and children in a positive and helpful manner.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from the community.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources and the public.
Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities.
May be required to lift to 40 pounds.
Travel by car, bus, airplane or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required.
Some exposure to communicable diseases.
Noise level in work environment may be moderate to loud.
Work is typically performed in a classroom, kitchen or bus setting and some office work may be required.
Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent-teacher conferences, Parent · Committee meetings, community and social events.
To drive agency vehicles (if applicable), must have a valid driver's license be insurable by the UCC Head Start insurance carrier, and have a Motor Vehicle Record acceptable to UCC Head Start.
The requirements of your Job Description are important in providing services to children and families, and for keeping you, children, and co-workers safe during the workday.
If you are unable to perform any of the functions required in your job description due to a disability, you are invited to direct any requests for accommodation to the Program Director.
The minimum requirement is that the individual be 18 years of age.
Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment.
Ability to sit most of the time with some bending and reaching.
Ability to stand, walk, and bend periodically.
Ability to engage in repetitive movement of wrists, hands, and fingers – typing and/or writing.
Ability to work frequently at close visual range (i.e. preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, extensive reading).
Ability to receive and respond to oral communication.
Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
Work is generally performed in an office environment.
Noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud (examples: business office with computers and printers, light to moderate traffic, human voices).
Standard office equipment generally used includes: Telephone, Personal Computer (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) or Tablet, Printer/Photocopy Machine, Calculator, and Fax Machine, May be required to operate a motor vehicle during the course of duties.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the basics of working with preschool children.
Knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start Program.
Knowledge of basic food preparation, serving and sanitation practices.
Knowledge of local resources, customs and languages helpful.
Ability to relate sensitively with children and to work well with staff and parents and families.
Ability to follow directions and take initiative.
Ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential.
Ability to communicate effectively with children and staff.
Ability to work with children with disabilities.
Some Bilingual fluency is helpful (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area).
A high school diploma or G.E.D. is preferred.
Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area).
Within 90 days of employment, must obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/state regulations).
Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Responsibilities

Assists classroom staff in all classroom activities, field trips and outdoor activities included in lesson plans.
Dress in clothing which is appropriate for outdoor activity and all-weather conditions and be prepared to go outdoors daily.
Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultural background of the children and families served.
Helps supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and social skills.
Helps keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly.
Assists the teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises (e.g., at Family Nights, copying newsletters, cutting out classroom materials, making phone calls, etc.).
Serves as a temporary substitute in the periodic absence of the assistant teacher or teacher.
Empties trash or garbage containers if needed before the custodian or janitor services.
Sanitizes surfaces, picks up and puts away materials in the classroom or kitchen in order to maintain a safe and organized environment.
Serves as janitor in the absence of the regular custodian or janitor on a periodic basis.
Does light yard work or snow removal.
Completes routine kitchen/dining room/food chores as assigned (e.g., dishwashing, portioning foods, taking and logging temperature of foods received from vendors, etc.)
Prepares necessary food and serving items for service prior to or after use.
These duties may include the preparation of food to meet the needs of children with special needs or disabilities.
Participates in food service clean up, inventory and other food service tasks as requested.
Substitutes for regular Cook or Assistant Cook as needed.
Assists with inventory maintenance of all necessary supplies, food and equipment used for food services operations.
Assists with the processing and storage of food and food related items as they are delivered.
Assists in carrying out a financially successful food service operation by helping to control food and labor costs.
Assists with logging meals/snacks in the menu book following USDA/CACFP required documentation for food purchased, prepared and served.
Supports staff/parents in preparing and cleaning up after meals/snacks for meetings, planning sessions and other special events as requested.
Ensures that dishes are returned to the kitchen or food service vendor transport boxes for cleaning and preparation for the next meal.
Notifies supervisor of any safety, health issues or concerns.
Participates in ongoing training in food preparation and nutrition as requested.
Follows the established system for cleaning to ensure that the kitchen and storage rooms are kept in a clean and sanitary manner.
Reports any kitchen equipment not in good working order to supervisor to ensure the kitchen remains safe and hazard free.
Prepares food in a safe and sanitary manner.
Responsible for complying with all local, state and federal standards regarding hygiene and sanitation.
Works with assigned children with disabilities.
Supports the work of the classroom staff and managers, specialists and/or mental health consultant in carrying out individual plans for children with special needs.
With direction from professional staff, follows I EP/IFSP.
Understands, generates and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement.
Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor.
Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local child care licensing regulations.
Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.
Positively promotes Head Start in the community.
Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Becomes thoroughly familiar with UCC Head Start Employee Handbook: Human Resources Policies and Procedures, UCC Head Start Operations Manual and all other UCC HS handbooks, manuals and resources and adheres to them.
Comply with all Health and Safety polices including ensuring no child is left alone or unsupervised by staff, consultants, contractors, or volunteers while under my care
Performs all other duties as assigned.