Teacher Aide - Kodiak Head Start

JOB SUMMARY: Assists the Teacher or Teacher Director in the overall care, nurturing, and education for a center-based group of young children. Works in partnership with parents and other staff to provide a full range of Head Start services to children and families. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state sanitation and safety regulations, Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines, to include traditional foods guidelines, Federal and state regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, agency and Child Development Division Head Start/Early Head Start Policies and Procedures and the Head Start Work Plan. 2. Supports partnerships with parents that are respectful, culturally sensitive, and non-judgmental. 3. Conducts parent-teacher conferences and homes visits with parents and ensures that families strengths, and needs are identified and addressed. 4. Supports a safe, healthy, nurturing environment for children including using the principles of Active Supervision at all times. 5. Assists classroom teacher with curriculum and lesson planning that respects the needs of individual children. The materials provided will: a. Consider the children's interests, disabilities, special talents, and individual style of learning. b. Consider the individual in relationship to their cultural and socioeconomic background. c. Help children to become aware of their roles as integral members of the group. d. Assure children are treated with dignity and respect. 6. Assists with ensuring appropriate documentation of program operations for class assigned including conducting and entering ongoing observations of children, assessing childrens developmental levels, and utilizing the results in the planning process through the designated assessment system. 7. Supports community partnerships for the support of families and children. 8. Assists volunteers in learning and abiding by program philosophy while working with children. 9. Participates in weekly staff meetings, regular supervisory meetings and all required training. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Assists kitchen and janitorial staff as requested by supervisor and as work schedule permits. 2. Performs other duties as assigned. POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK: This is a full-time position, 39 weeks per year, 40 hours per week. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or hours vary with location. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED EDUCATION: 1. Must be at least 18 years of age. 2. Must pass state and federal background checks, including fingerprints. 3. High School diploma or GED and experience working with young children. 4. Must have, or be willing to earn, a center-based Child Development Associate (CDA); or an AA in Early Childhood Education within two years of the date of hire. 5. Responsible work ethic with reliable attendance. 6. Must pursue an ongoing professional development plan including formal training certification or college degree as recommended by the program. 7. Must be knowledgeable about the community and region and their resources. 8. Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills including expertise in cross-cultural communication. 9. Must obtain Alaska Food Workers Card within thirty (30) days of hire with follow-up every three (3) years at employers expense. 10. Must attend 15 hours of professional development training annually. 11. Proven ability and willingness to be self-directed in problem solving and decision-making and perform basic assignment with little or no direct supervision while also working effectively as a team member. 12. Capable of reading, understanding, and following written procedures and policies related to job responsibilities. 13. Demonstrated intermediate level of computer skills necessary in order to use and create documents and reports, spreadsheets, workshop materials and slide presentations, and to enter data into intricate database programs and proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook. 14. Must keep all matters concerning participants in strictest confidence as required by HIPAA privacy and the 42 CFR, Part II confidentiality regulations. 15. Must provide a TB screening and basic physical exam within thirty (30) days of hire with follow-up every three (3) years at employees expense. 16. Must complete and maintain CPR and First Aid Training certification at employers expense. 17. Must be able to provide own transportation to meet work schedule requirements. RurAL CAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and abides by the federal, state and local laws and regulations.