Assistant Teacher

Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group; Altus (OK); On-site; USD 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc. is hiring a Birth to Five School Assistant Teacher for Altus, OK. The role supports teachers in implementing lesson plans, meal service, and documentation, with a focus on social, emotional, and academic development for children aged 3-5.

The position requires a High School Diploma or GED; CDA or higher education is a plus, with OK Registry within 6 months. A CDA/Associate Degree path, First Aid/CPR, and driving responsibilities may apply.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with experience in Early Childhood or child care.
• CDA or higher education is a plus; must be on the OK Registry within 6 months.
• First Aid/CPR certification required or to be obtained on the job.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Teacher with daily lesson plans and center activities to prepare children for Kindergarten.
• Interact with children and participate in daily activities.
• Promote parent involvement and document volunteer time and donations.
• Assist with screenings, IEP development, and data entry as required.
• Serve as bus monitor and ensure safety during transportation.
• Maintain classroom hygiene and complete required paperwork and reports.

Skills

Child care experience

Safety procedures

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CDA or higher education

Job description

Job Details

Job DetailsJob Location: Altus, OK 73521Education Level: High SchoolTravel Percentage: NegligibleJob Shift: DayJob Category: EducationSouthwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc.

JOB DESCRIPTION FOR BIRTH TO FIVE SCHOOLS ASSISTANT TEACHER

Status: Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act

Pay Rate

Pay levels are as follows:

• Level 1: $13.00 hourly – Entry level. Must have a plan in place to obtain CDA.
• Level 2: $13.50 hourly – Has CDA or Child Development Assistant Certificate.
• Level 3: $15.00 hourly – Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Supervisory Relationships

Directly supervised by the School Supervisor. Receives general instructions from the Teacher. Position does not have supervisory duties. Guides volunteers.

Purpose

The purpose of the Head Start Teacher Assistant is to provide assistance in the early childhood classroom. Assists the Teacher in implementing lesson plans, providing meal service, completing required paperwork and online documentation, cleaning duties, bus monitor duties, one‑on‑one assistance with children that have disabilities, or in any manner that will help accomplish the Performance Standards.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

1. Assists the Teacher in the implementation of daily lesson plans and other center activities. Activities will be focused on preparing children to transition to Kindergarten by encouraging the development of social, emotional, and academic skills. Eats meals with the children to aid in the development of social skills. Eats/drinks only same food as the children.
2. Has direct interaction with the children and participates in their daily activities.
3. Promotes parent interest and recruits volunteers to participate in center activities. Documents all in‑kind volunteer time and donations properly and turns them in monthly.
4. Assist in medical/dental screenings, mental health screenings (including observation notes), and IEP development of center enrollees, and child development screenings.
5. Serves as a bus monitor on transportation routes as assigned by the School Supervisor. Counts children when boarding and exiting bus, then completes a walk through to the back of the bus at the end of each route to check for children and belongings.
6. Sweeps and mops the classrooms, cleans the children’s bathroom, sanitizes children’s bedding and toys as required by Head Start and DHS Licensing guidelines.
7. Completes paperwork and reports as required. Types of paperwork includes children’s folders, anecdotal notes, and tracking of services.
8. Assists with paperwork and/or computer data entry as assigned.
9. Other related duties as assigned.

Performance Expectations

1. Confidentiality of client data and sensitive program information is mandatory.
2. Ensure children’s safety by enforcing safety rules and procedures. Follows other safety rules such as wearing closed‑toe shoes (no sandals), bus safety rules and various other program procedures.
3. Comply with program procedures and licensing guidelines and follows best practices. Abides by SOCAG Personnel Policies and adheres to Performance Standards.
4. Attend training as required. Must maintain any training or certification requirements. Training may require some evenings, weekends, and/or overnight travel.
5. Provides a positive learning environment for the children through encouragement and interaction with the children. Supports the parent as the primary educator of the child.
6. Must be able to work in a positive manner with children ages 3- 5 from a variety of backgrounds, including children who have disabilities. Able to relate to problems of low‑income and minority families.
7. Must be able to complete written documentation and computer data entry as assigned.

Qualifications

1. High School Diploma or GED with experience in Early Childhood or child care as paid or volunteer service. The National Child Development Associate credential (CDA) or higher education is a plus. Must be on the OK Registry within 6 months. Must study and obtain Reliability Certification for observations in Teaching Strategies GOLD during first year. Current First Aid/AED/Pediatric CPR is required and may be obtained on the job. Must be able to obtain the CDA or an Associate Degree in Early Childhood.
2. Oklahoma driver’s license required with acceptable motor vehicle record. Vehicle must have state minimum insurance.
3. Annual Tuberculin screen is required or as directed by a medical professional. Initial physical is required and obtained after hire.
4. Negative pre‑employment drug screen prior to employment with a current photo identification. During employment, employees are subject to drug testing according to SOCAG Personnel Policies.
5. Criminal background checks including fingerprinting are required and performed according to Oklahoma statutes and any program regulations.

Working Conditions

1. Must be able to bend, kneel, stand, and sit on the level of the children being served. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Cleaning includes the use of a bleach solution.
2. Must be available to be on the job during scheduled hours. Attendance is important.
3. Must be able to interact and relate to children in a positive manner using appropriate words and actions.
4. Must be able to respond and assist during emergency medical care, safety, fire prevention, and sanitation of children and the center environment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that maintains a policy of non‑discrimination with employees and applicants for employment. No aspect of employment with SOCAG will be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, age, national origin, veteran status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by statute.