Classroom Aide - Head Start

Join our Head Start team! The Classroom Aide works with Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and Family Educators to provide support in one or more of the following program areas: education, riding the bus, food service, and cleaning.

This is a Full-Time position, working 40 hours per week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• Driver qualification status is not required for this position.
• Successful registration with the Central Background Registry of the Child Care Division.
• CPR/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Food Handlers Card or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment physical examination, renewable every two years.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Previous experience with young children preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiencies with Microsoft Office (including Outlook), videoconferencing platforms, and web tools.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills, in both oral and written form.

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

• Ensures safety in the classroom at all times, with appropriate supervision of children, utilizing the transition and counting form and procedure. Ensures children are released only to parent/guardians or authorized adults.
• Supports teacher in providing for the development of children's cognitive, physical, social-emotional and language skills through implementation of curriculum, lesson planning and individualization.
• Maintains an acceptable and positive level of guidance in individual and group situations, reacting to emergency situations with competence and a calm attitude.
• Is positive when working with children; talking, playing, laughing and singing. Participates in children's activities.
• Works with classroom team during pre-service, to set up classroom environment, and maintain the environment by regularly changing/rotating materials, supplies and props, utilizing the Creative Curriculum, and the Monthly Environment Checklist.
• Creates a supportive climate and positive environment with opportunities for children to make connections with other children and staff. Uses positive redirection and strategies to provide children with a safe, secure and enjoyable experience at school.
• Prepares materials, activities, and projects for class.
• Maintains a clean, sanitary, safe and orderly classroom during and after class times.
• Participates in family style meals, taking USDA required meal counts, and leading conversation at the table to enhance the social and emotional growth of children.
• Participates in monthly classroom emergency drills to prepare children and staff for fires, earthquakes, secure campus, and lockdown situations.
• Supports team by providing coverage for breaks, lunches, and illness, at home site as well as other sites in the program.
• Works with parents whose children require potty-training support.
• Acts as a bus rider, making the bus an extension of the classroom and supporting a positive environment during bus rides.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

There are no supervisory duties in this position.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Required to frequently reach with hands and arms; regularly required to climb or balance.
• Manual dexterity for handling office