Head Start Teacher Assistant (Infant Toddler Room C)

Community Action Pioneer Valley, Inc.•Northampton, MA

1d•$19 - $20

About The Position

The Teacher Assistant works with educators to implement the daily curriculum and maintain health and safety practices in educational and bus settings in accordance with Head Start, Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) requirements. The role also works with educators, parents, and community members to implement individualized School Readiness goals. The position supports quality early care and education for culturally diverse families with lower incomes. It includes supervising and caring for young children, maintaining safe indoor and outdoor environments, preparing and cleaning up meals, and assisting families and specialists with children’s school readiness goals. The assistant may fill in as a bus monitor or in other classrooms, provide child care during site Family Meetings, and attend relevant workshops and meetings. Employment is contingent on required background checks and health documentation, including evidence of a physical exam and verification of MMR and TB status. CPR and Emergency Pediatric First Aid certification must be obtained and maintained in accordance with EEC regulations.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
High school diploma or GED.
Six to 12 months of early childhood education-related experience.
Must be enrolled in a Child Development Associate (CDA) or related early childhood education degree program.
Complete the CDA within two years of hire, or, if pursuing the alternative, complete an associate degree within five years of hire.
Provide required background checks, including CORI, DCF, SORI, fingerprint-based national and state criminal history checks, NCOR, and applicable out-of-state checks.
Provide evidence of a physical exam within the past year and verification of MMR and TB status; subsequent physical exam documentation is required every two years.
Complete background record and fingerprint-based national and state criminal history checks every three years.
Ability to use a keyboard and basic computer skills.
Ability to drive a personal vehicle and program vehicles as needed.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, talk, use a keyboard, and climb stairs frequently; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; and participate in bending, floor activities, and lifting young children aged two months to five years.

Responsibilities

Work with educators to implement the daily curriculum and maintain health and safety practices in educational and bus settings.
Demonstrate commitment to quality early care and education programs and sensitivity to the needs of culturally diverse families with lower incomes.
Maintain required physical exam, MMR, and TB documentation, and obtain and maintain CPR and Emergency Pediatric First Aid certification according to EEC regulations.
Become knowledgeable about and follow Head Start Performance Standards, EEC Regulations, HS & ELP Service Delivery, and NAEYC criteria, as appropriate.
Use basic computer skills, including competent use of the program data system.
Ensure appropriate supervision of children, including following program protocols for the care of young children.
Engage with families and specialists to implement children’s school readiness goals.
Prepare meals on site and clean up while maintaining health and safety standards.
Coordinate with the teaching team to maintain safe and healthy indoor and outdoor environments for young children.
Fill in for the bus monitor as needed, including completing daily passenger logs and pre- and post-trip bus inspections.
Cover for other classrooms as needed.
Provide child care for site Family Meetings.
Attend appropriate program workshops and meetings.
Follow agency confidentiality policies.
Maintain positive working relationships with other staff members.