Center Assistant - Building Blocks 5

Eightcap, Inc.; Ionia (MI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

EightCAP, Inc. is seeking a Center Assistant to create a safe, positive environment for children and families within Head Start / Early Head Start programs in Michigan. The role includes grocery shopping, meal preparation, and helping with daily activities in a fast-paced setting.

You will engage with children, follow regulatory guidelines, and support staff while promoting high-quality programming. Strong communication, teamwork, and ability to meet background checks are essential for success

Qualifications

• Experience in early childhood programs and food service preferred.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills with families and staff.
• Knowledge of mandated reporting requirements and state regulations.
• Must pass state and federal background clearances.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring: Follow regulations and requirements of Head Start, LARA, and CACFP.
• Professionalism: Maintain confidentiality about children, families, and staff.
• Model: Support children's healthy eating and development.
• Meal Preparation: Prepare meals and snacks, keep preparation and storage areas clean.
• Safety Compliance: Maintain a safe, organized environment.
• Reporting: Maintain accurate records and report suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Emergency Procedures: Be familiar with emergency procedures.
• Collaboration: Communicate positively with children, parents, teaching team, and peers.
• Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Perform Other Duties as Assigned.

Skills

Early childhood programs

Food service experience

Effective communication

Background clearances

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Job Title

Center Assistant

Classification

Full -time 3, non-exempt, hourly

Salary Range

SA 01-03 ($13.94 - $15.22 - $16.47)

Hours

30-32 /week

Work Weeks

52/year (EHS)

Department

Head Start / Early Head Start

Reports To

Lead Infant/Toddler Education (EHS)

Positions Supervised

None

Mission Statement

EightCAP, Inc., improves our community by collaborating with private, government, and community organizations to deliver programs that alleviate the causes of poverty and its effects, allowing individuals to become self-sufficient.

Role Overview

As a Center Assistant, you will create a safe, positive environment for children and families while supporting access to high quality programming. Additionally, you will shop for groceries and supplies, prepare meals and assist with cleaning, play with children and assist in regular daily activities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Monitoring: Follow regulations and requirements of the Office of Head Start, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
2. Professionalism: Comply with program confidentiality policies concerning personally identifiable information about children, families, and other staff members and must always maintain professional boundaries with enrolled children and families.
3. Model: Engage in appropriate behavior and support children's individual needs including modeling healthy eating habits.
4. Meal Preparation: Prepare meals and snacks as outlined on menus, maintain cleanliness of meal preparation areas, storages areas and classroom and shop weekly as directed by your supervisor.
5. Safety Compliance: Assist in providing a safe, organized environment.
6. Reporting: Assist in maintaining accurate records as assigned as well as reporting all suspected child abuse and neglect.
7. Emergency Procedures: Be familiar with emergency procedures to respond effectively in case of an emergency.
8. Collaboration: Communicate positively with children, parents, teaching team and peers.
9. Professional Development: Actively participate in professional development to ensure compliance with regulations.
10. Perform Other Duties as Assigned.

Our CORE Values at Work

1. Accountability: By being on time, staying present throughout work hours, and following through on commitments, the Center Assistant is dependable and takes responsibilities seriously.
2. Communication: The Center Assistant utilizes open, clear, and respectful communication with children, families, staff, and community partners.
3. Compassion: The Center Assistant is aware of the emotional needs of children and offers support, comfort, and reassurance while remaining patient and understanding.
4. Empowerment: The Center Assistant empowers children by encouraging independence, which in turn builds children’s confidence and fosters a sense of achievement.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• Experience with early childhood programs and food service preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively and positively and work collaboratively with staff, families, agency representatives, service providers, and community organizations in a respectful, professional, and non-judgmental manner.
• Understanding of mandated reporting requirements, including the ability to recognize, document, and report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with state law and program procedures.
• Must successfully complete all required state and federal background clearances.

Work Environment

This position operates primarily within Head Start and Early Head Start classroom settings. This role requires regular interaction with children, families, staff, and community partners in a fast-paced early childhood education environment. The employee may be exposed to noise levels typical of preschool and infant/toddler classrooms and will participate in indoor and outdoor activities in varying weather conditions as part of daily program operations.

Travel Requirements

Local travel between program sites, training locations, meetings, and community events may be required. The employee must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and have reliable transportation available for work-related travel.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. The physical requirements of this position include:

• Ability to move throughout classrooms, playgrounds, and program facilities.
• Ability to supervise and actively engage with children in indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and reach as needed throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately in emergency situations.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Benefits

• Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, medical flex, and a 401k with a 5% employer match on your one-year anniversary.
• Benefits begin on your 31stday of employment.
• Staff in this position may be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits during periods of layoff, in accordance with state unemployment regulations.

Employment At-Will Statement

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employment with EightCAP, Inc. is at-will, meaning either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause, consistent with applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

EightCAP, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace.