Support Services Specialist

Innovative Network of Knowledge•Jasper, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world! This role involves protecting the physical and mental health and safety of children, implementing nutrition services, ensuring facilities and equipment are clean and safe, and maintaining hygiene practices. The specialist will also support staff development, respond to classroom requests, communicate with teachers, monitor classrooms for hazards, and report incidents. Other responsibilities include daily cleaning, inventory control, seasonal deep cleaning, hyper-sanitation protocols, meal preparation and serving, dishwashing, routine inspections of interior and exterior areas, groundskeeping, notifying supervisors of safety issues, assisting with moving furniture and equipment, laundering, assisting with classroom supervision, assisting with event setup/teardown, assisting with repairs and maintenance, and performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED, and Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or state awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, or at onboarding enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within 18 months of the time of hire.
One year of related work experience.
Demonstrate ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Communicate in writing and verbally in English.
Demonstrate ability to maintain emotional control, and professional composure at all times.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Complete and pass health examination.
Confirm work eligibility status.
Successfully pass driving history check.
Clear criminal background check.
Required to lift up to 60 pounds.
Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
Exposure to communicable diseases, and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at risk neighborhoods, etc.
Travel up to 50% 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 evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community, and social events such as field trips.

Nice To Haves

Communicate in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care.
Implement nutrition services that are culturally and developmentally appropriate, meet the nutritional needs of and accommodate the feeding requirements of each child, including children with special dietary needs and children with disabilities.
Ensure facilities, equipment, and materials are kept clean and safe for children’s use in accordance with federal policies and agency protocols.
Implement hygiene practices that at a minimum ensure (i) Appropriate toileting, hand washing, and diapering procedures are followed; (ii) Safe food preparation; and, (iii) Exposure to blood and body fluids are handled consistent with standards of the Occupational Safety Health Administration.
Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting at a minimum suspected or known child abuse and neglect, appropriate supervision of children at all times, and all standards of conduct.
Support and participate in staff development, including completion of minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards, continuing professional development, and staff wellness initiatives.
Respond to classroom requests for support in a timely manner, which is also compliant with Office of Head Start and agency regulations, policies, and protocols.
Establish regular communication with teachers to ensure they are well-informed about their students’ behavior, and progress.
Monitor classroom to make certain it is free from physical and environmental hazards.
Report all incidents within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol.
Conduct daily cleaning of facilities, including but not limited to classrooms, offices, bathrooms, and common areas and playgrounds.
Conduct and maintain inventory control of all cleaning supplies, including ordering and receiving supplies.
Perform or arrange seasonal deep cleaning and maintenance of building interior and exterior (i.e. floor waxing, carpet cleaning, pressure wash building).
Implement hyper-sanitation protocols when directed.
Ensure that safety and health procedures are followed in accordance with federal and agency policy and protocols.
Prepare and serve classroom meals and assist with family-style meal activities as directed.
Wash dishes, pots, pans and utensils using approved sanitation methods.
Conduct routine inspections and regular up-keep of interior and exterior areas to ensure areas are free of safety hazards, trash, weeds, and other foreign materials.
Conduct daily inspection/grounds keeping of outside areas, including lawns, landscaped beds, playgrounds, and parking areas to keep centers clean and safe between regular contracted site services.
Notify supervisor of any safety or health issues or concerns.
Assist with moving and/or transporting office and classroom furniture, fixtures, supplies and equipment as requested.
Launder clothing and linens in support of classroom activities as requested.
Assist with classroom supervision as needed.
Assist with set up/tear down for classroom and center activities, training, meetings, recruitment fairs, and special events.
Assist with repair and maintenance of buildings, storage facilities, machinery and equipment.
Perform other job duties as assigned.