Substitute

You Thrive Florida•Deland, FL

26d•Onsite

About The Position

The Substitute fills in as needed for Early Head Start Teacher, Head Start Teacher Assistant, Extended Day Teacher Assistant, or Center Aide. Duties vary according to the assignment and support a quality center-based program for children and families. The role may include classroom and family educational activities, meal service, dietary support, and center operations. The primary work locations are Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia counties, with occasional travel to other counties. In classroom assignments, the Substitute assists with developmentally appropriate activities that support children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development; helps maintain a safe, clean, and orderly learning environment; supervises children and maintains required child-to-staff ratios; and communicates relevant information to teachers and program staff. The Substitute also participates in team, family, community, training, and program-improvement activities and follows applicable Head Start, You Thrive Florida, and regulatory policies and procedures. In Center Aide assignments, the Substitute picks up and delivers meals and supplies, checks and documents food temperatures, maintains meal-service records, and cleans and returns meal containers. The role includes driving a vehicle for meal and supply delivery, conducting vehicle safety checks, and ensuring the meal vehicle is clean, fueled, and in safe operating condition. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. No prior experience is required. The Substitute must complete required trainings, obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification within 90 days of hire, and work at least 144 hours in each half-year period to remain active on the substitute roster. A valid Florida driver’s license and insurability under the company’s current insurance carrier are required. Background screening and other legal requirements apply.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
No prior experience required.
Complete training required by the current Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, Office of Early Learning School Readiness Program Health and Safety Standards Handbook, and other Office of Early Learning training standards.
Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification within 90 days of hire.
Complete required annual Head Start training hours.
Work a minimum of 144 hours in each half-year period (July 1–December 31 and January 1–June 30) to remain active on the substitute roster; All Teams Day and Pre-Service hours do not count toward this minimum.
Valid Florida driver’s license and ability to be insured by the company’s current insurance carrier.
Meet applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements and background-screening requirements.
Knowledge of health and sanitation practices related to meal service and food preparation/service.
Ability to use a personal computer and complete work accurately.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and maintain accurate written records.
Knowledge of organization methods and classroom management techniques.
Ability to operate a vehicle or van safely.
Ability to arrive at work daily and on time, work with limited direction, evaluate situations, and make prompt decisions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding You Thrive Florida, Head Start, children, and parents.
Ability to work with children, including children with special needs.
Ability to be reliable, responsible, and accountable, and to establish effective working relationships, particularly with supervisors and coworkers.
Physical ability to talk, stand, sit, squat, kneel, use fingers, arms, hands, and legs, walk, stretch and reach, handle and grasp, climb, bend, turn, balance, push, pull, carry, lift up to 65 pounds, and drive; correctable eyesight and hearing are essential.

Responsibilities

Fill in for Early Head Start Teacher, Head Start Teacher Assistant, Extended Day Teacher Assistant, or Center Aide as needed.
Follow managers’ and specialists’ recommendations to support a quality child and family program.
Understand children’s classroom needs, including health conditions, and make appropriate accommodations.
Assist with developmentally appropriate activities and materials that support children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development.
Support children’s learning and guidance, including basic concepts related to education, nutrition, health, dental care, and mental health.
Assist with classroom activities such as reading stories and facilitating small- and large-group activities; alert teachers to problems or special information.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly classroom and playground, sanitize areas and materials, monitor for damaged or unusable items, and report needed repairs.
Encourage children’s language development, problem-solving, exploration, positive behavior, cultural acceptance, self-concept, and social skills.
Supervise children at all times and maintain child-to-staff ratios in accordance with policies and regulations.
Report suspected child abuse and neglect in accordance with program policies and procedures.
Work collaboratively with program staff, families, providers, and community contacts; participate in center, classroom, parent, and community activities as directed.
Act as an advocate and role model for Head Start families and recruit children for the program.
Attend and participate in training programs, staff meetings, and other required meetings and trainings, including USDA training.
Maintain confidentiality of client, staff, and agency information and follow Head Start, You Thrive Florida, and applicable federal, state, and local policies and regulations.
Organize and prioritize assignments; participate in monitoring, community assessment, self-assessment, and safety, storm, and fire drills; submit required reports and records.
Pick up breakfast, lunch, and snacks from the meal provider; check and document safe food temperatures; and deliver meals to centers and classrooms during approved meal-service times.
Retrieve, scrape, rinse, and return meal and milk containers; empty ice coolers; clean sinks and meal-service areas; and store snacks safely and sanitarily.
Maintain orderly supplies and deliver paper products, utensils, and other supplies to classrooms as needed.
Drive a vehicle to pick up and deliver meals, supplies, and substitute meal items while following applicable laws and procedures.
Conduct required vehicle safety checks and submit weekly documentation; keep the meal vehicle safe, clean, and adequately fueled.
Maintain required USDA/Child Care Food Program documentation, including meal counts, CCFP worksheets, and menu planners, ensuring accurate and timely records.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor, management, program director, or You Thrive Florida management staff.