Classroom Aide - Head Start

• High School Diploma or GED.

• 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.
• Enrollment in a Child Development Associate (CDA) program within the first 60 days of employment.

• Previous Head Start or Early Childhood Education experience preferred.
• Intermediate proficiencies in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, database software, online tools, and video conferencing platforms.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills, in both oral and written form.
• Demonstrates tact, diplomacy and empathy when communicating with parents and staff.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills are helpful but not required. Bilingual Spanish, Russian, or Chuukese preferred.

• To qualify as bilingual, staff must pass a bilingual exam demonstrating fluent speaking, reading, and writing in English and Spanish. Required bilingual staff will receive a pay differential based on language test results.

• Provides a language and literacy-rich environment, enhancing children's excitement about language and literacy. Develops positive relationships with those learning English as a second language.
• Provides a safe environment with supervision of children at all times, consistently applying emergency procedures and communicable disease procedures.
• Participates in family-style meal experiences and nutrition experiences while enhancing the social and emotional growth of children. Encourages parents and community members to be involved.
• Ensures that kitchen and food service meets Health Department requirements including safe and sanitary food conditions, maintaining proper food temperature, proper storage of food, and other health requirements.
• Maintains and submits accurate and complete records for all snacks, lunches, special meals, and required reports for USDA food services according to program deadlines.
• Supports parents and children during transitions to and from the program. Provides parents with opportunities to participate in the program.
• Acts as a Bus Rider for Agency buses. Assists in pre-trip inspections, greets children and families, and guides the behavior of children on the bus, with particular attention to safety and maintaining safe limits.

• 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 equipment.
• Incidental driving tasks may be requested for employees with a personal vehicle and proof of current auto insurance.
• Ability to remain calm and quickly evacuate children from the classroom in an emergency.
• Ability to work within Agency policies and guidelines under the direction of a site supervisor.

• Mostly indoor classroom and bus riding environment.
• Frequent outdoor supervision of children and monitoring pick up/drop off.
• Occasional exposure to cleaning chemicals, creative substances such as paints.
• Occasional exposure to body fluids/biohazards (such as saliva, vomit and urine).

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