Program Aide

Save the Children US•Leonville, LA

16h

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 development across all developmental domains. The role reports to the Education and Inclusion Manager or Center Director and may involve travel to program sites or home visits. Assignments may vary among classrooms, centers, bus routes, cafeterias, and kitchens according to program needs. The aide supports classroom operations and may periodically substitute for teachers, assistant teachers, cooks, assistant cooks, or custodians. The position also involves maintaining children's and families' safety, following child-safeguarding requirements, and upholding Save the Children's values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years of age.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Hold certifications required by applicable federal, state, or local Head Start or childcare regulations.
Obtain and maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification within 90 days of employment, or sooner if required by local or state regulations.
Demonstrate basic knowledge of working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
Have professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
Relate sensitively to children and communicate and work effectively with staff, parents, and families.
Be able to follow directions and take initiative.
Maintain strict confidentiality of family information.
Demonstrate the ability to work with children with disabilities.
Meet physical demands that include medium to heavy work: exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and 5–10 pounds constantly, as well as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repetitive motions, keyboarding, and computer use.
Pass required pre-employment background checks, including applicable criminal-record, sex-offender-registry, employment, education, and child-abuse-registry checks, and meet state and local health requirements after the offer and before employment.
Maintain a valid driver's license and comply with Save the Children's motor-vehicle safety policies if required to operate a vehicle for essential job functions.

Nice To Haves

Current or former Head Start/Early Head Start parent status is preferred for qualified applicants.

Responsibilities

Apply established practices and procedures in daily work, organize time and tasks, keep the manager informed of important issues, build effective relationships with colleagues and families, and follow oral and written instructions.
Assist classroom staff with classroom activities and support teachers with program needs, including family nights, copying newsletters, preparing classroom materials, and making phone calls.
Periodically serve as a substitute for an Assistant Teacher or Teacher.
Provide custodial support as needed, including picking up trash, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning floors and windows, cleaning and stocking bathrooms, securing buildings, and performing minor maintenance and repairs.
Periodically serve as a substitute custodian.
Complete assigned kitchen and dining-room tasks, such as dishwashing, portioning food, and taking and recording temperatures of food received from vendors.
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 food-service tasks.
Substitute for, or assist, the Cook or Assistant Cook as needed and comply with applicable hygiene and sanitation standards.
Serve as a Bus Monitor when required.
Attend required workshops, meetings, staff and parent meetings, and activities.
Learn and follow Head Start Program Performance Standards, local childcare licensing regulations, occupational safety and disease-prevention requirements, and universal precautions.
Promote Head Start in the community and maintain strict confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
Become familiar with and follow Save the Children Head Start handbooks, policies, procedures, manuals, and resources.
Help ensure the safety and security of children and families, take steps to prevent and report child abuse, respond to concerns, and support 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.
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 on a portion of contributions for eligible employees enrolled in a 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 support through Calm and company-hosted events.
Employee Assistance Program with free, confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services.
Internal and external learning and development opportunities and mentorships.
Certification and tuition assistance.