Program Aide

Save the Children US•Ripley, TN

About The Position

The Program Aide is a generalist who provides educational, relational, and social experiences for infants, toddlers, and/or preschool-aged children to support growth and development across all developmental domains. The position reports to the Manager, Education & Inclusion or Center Director and may require travel among program sites and/or home visits. Assignments may be made across classrooms, centers, bus routes, cafeterias, and kitchens to support daily operations and classroom management as needed. As a frontline representative of Save the Children, the Program Aide is responsible for helping ensure the safety and security of children and families, following organizational values and child-safeguarding obligations, and taking steps to prevent, identify, and report child abuse. The role provides classroom, custodial, and kitchen support; may substitute periodically for teachers, assistant teachers, cooks, assistant cooks, or custodians; and may serve as a bus monitor. The employee attends required meetings and workshops, follows Head Start and childcare requirements, maintains confidentiality, and promotes Head Start in the community.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Minimum high school diploma or GED.
Certification as applicable under federal, state, or local Head Start or childcare regulations.
Obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification within 90 days of employment, or sooner if required by local or state regulations.
Demonstrated knowledge of the basics of working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
Ability to relate sensitively with children and communicate and work effectively with staff, parents, and families.
Ability to follow directions and take initiative.
Ability to keep family information strictly confidential.
Ability to work with children with disabilities.
Meet pre-employment background-check requirements, including applicable criminal records, sex offender registry, employment, education, and child abuse registry checks, and pass applicable state and local health requirements before employment.
Maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with Save the Children vehicle-operation policies if required to operate a motor vehicle for essential job functions.
Meet the physical requirements of medium to heavy work, including exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and 5–10 pounds constantly; perform activities such as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping, as well as repetitive motions, keyboarding, and computer use.

Nice To Haves

Current or former Head Start/Early Head Start parents receive preference for qualified vacancies.

Responsibilities

Apply clear practices and procedures in day-to-day work, organize and manage time, keep the manager informed of important issues, build effective relationships with colleagues and children and families, and follow oral and written instructions.
Assist classroom staff with classroom activities and support Teachers with program needs, including family nights, newsletters, classroom materials, and phone calls.
Periodically serve as a temporary substitute for an Assistant Teacher or Teacher.
Provide custodial support as needed, including cleaning floors and bathrooms, stocking supplies, securing buildings, cleaning windows, and performing minor building maintenance and repairs; periodically substitute for the regular custodian.
Perform kitchen and dining room tasks, such as dishwashing, portioning food, and receiving and logging food temperatures.
Prepare and serve food, including food that meets the needs of children with special needs or disabilities; assist with food-service cleanup, inventory, and other assigned tasks.
Substitute for or assist the Cook or Assistant Cook as needed and comply with local, state, and federal hygiene and sanitation standards.
Serve as a Bus Monitor when required.
Attend workshops, staff and parent meetings, and activities as required.
Gain an understanding of Head Start Program Performance Standards and local childcare licensing regulations, and follow occupational health and safety requirements, including universal precautions and contamination prevention.
Promote Head Start in the community and maintain strict confidentiality concerning children, families, and staff.
Follow Save the Children Head Start handbooks, policies, procedures, manuals, and resources.
Help safeguard children by minimizing risk, taking protective steps when a child may be at risk, reporting and responding to suspected or actual child abuse, and promoting safeguarding awareness and training.

Benefits

Paid time off, including 10 days of winter break, 5 days of spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays, and 2 floating holidays per year.
Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families.
Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability benefits.
Health Savings Account option, with an employer match for a portion of contributions when enrolled in an eligible high-deductible health plan.
Health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Account options.
Agency-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
Parental, adoption, and fertility benefits.
Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
Retirement savings plan with employer contributions after one year.
Wellness benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events.
Free, confidential Employee Assistance Program assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services.
Internal and external learning and development opportunities, mentorships, certification assistance, and tuition assistance.