Center Assistant - Jackson County

Southern Oregon Head Start; Central Point (OR); On-site; USD 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Oregon Head Start in Central Point, Oregon, is hiring a Center Assistant to support classroom teams and provide essential center services for children birth to age 5. The role includes nourishment, safety, and transportation support with a focus on developmentally appropriate activities.

Starting wage is $17.51 per hour; bilingual wage is $18.27 per hour, based on bilingual screening. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, CPR/First Aid, and Food Handler certifications;

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
• CPR/First Aid Certification; Food Handler Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with classroom teams to ensure all services are available to enrolled children as assigned by the Site Manager.
• Provide backup for all classroom staff; backup for cook and cook assistants in food preparation and serving.
• Assist the classroom teacher with the development and implementation of required curriculum and classroom activities.
• Prepare and clean up routine classroom tasks; follow Child Guidance Procedure.
• Serve as bus monitor on assigned runs and field trips; ensure safety restraints when bus is moving.
• Daily cleaning and maintenance of center facilities and equipment.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Clerical tasks

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CDA or Oregon Registry preferred

Job description

CENTER ASSISTANT

Starting Wage: $17.51 per hour

Bilingual Wage: $18.27 per hour, dependent upon Bilingual Screening

PURPOSE:

The Center Assistant develops strong and nurturing relationships with children and assists classroom teams to provide a developmentally appropriate learning environment with meaningful experiences in preparation for a successful kindergarten experience. This position ensures that all services are available and provided for all children each school day. The Center Assistant is responsible for meeting Head Start performance standards and following the Agency policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

I. CENTER SUPPORT

1. Work directly with classroom teams to ensure all services are available to enrolled children as assigned by the Site Manager.
   • Provide backup for all classroom staff;
   • Provide backup for cook and cook assistants in food preparation and serving;
   • Provide other center support as assigned.

II. CHILD EDUCATION, CURRICULUM, AND CLASSROOM

1. Work with children individually, in small and large groups as assigned by the classroom teacher.
   • Provide for children's safety, guidance, and educational development;
   • Be familiar with the curriculum guidelines of the Agency;
   • Assist the classroom teacher with the development and implementation of required curriculum and classroom activities;
   • Perform routine classroom tasks such as preparation and clean up;
   • Be aware of and follow all phases of the Child Guidance Procedure.
2. Support the classroom, as assigned, in the event of the Teacher's absence.
3. Inform teacher of unusual behavior, or symptoms of children, or relevant information from parents.

III. NUTRITION SERVICES

1. Prepare nutritious and appealing meals and snacks that meet the developmental and individual needs/interests of children ages 0-5.
   • Assist with serving of meals and snacks.
2. Meet sanitation and safety requirements.
   • Keep all kitchen surfaces, equipment, and dishes clean;
   • Follow hand washing, first aid and other health and safety routines in accordance with procedures.
3. Maintain mandated documentation & record keeping when providing backup in the kitchen.
   • Record meal counts daily for all groups served;
   • Note all menu changes on monthly menu and recipe used;
   • Record food temperatures at all meals;
   • Record refrigerator/freezer temperatures daily.

IV. COMMUNICATION AND DEBRIEFINGS

1. Communication and debriefing with staff at center and classroom.
   
   • Attend staff meetings, Education trainings, and other relevant meetings and trainings as assigned.
2. Bilingual Center Assistant - Assist with bilingual communication needs as directed.

V. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

1. Serve as bus monitor on assigned runs and field trips.
2. Ensure that children are in appropriate safety restraints when bus is moving.
3. Transmittal of accurate messages to parents.

VI. GENERAL MAINTENANCE

1. Daily cleaning as required by individual centers both inside and outside.
2. General upkeep and repair of equipment and materials both inside and outside.

VII. CHILDCARE

1. Provide childcare for Policy Council Meeting and/or center parent meetings as assigned

VIII. INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND CO-WORKERS

1. Must relate in a positive, nurturing way, both verbally and physically, and be sensitive to the needs of children, parents and co-workers.
2. Must use quick, safe reactions and responses in dealing with children or situations that involve children.

IX. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY

1. Maintain a safe and pleasant work environment.
2. Follow safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
3. Actively contribute towards promoting a safe workplace & environment.

X. OTHER DUTIES

May be assigned other related duties as appropriate and within the scope of general responsibilities for this position. However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties that may need to be performed by the employee fulfilling this position. This job description describes the general nature and level of work, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties which may be required.

REQUIRED JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Child Development Accreditation (CDA) or Oregon Registry enrollment at Step 8 or above preferred.

Certification or Accreditation: CPR/First Aid Certification; Food Handler Certification required. (Certifications can be obtained at Head Start after hire.)

Experience: Six (6) months experience working with young children age birth to 8 years required; preschool age specific experience preferred.

Essential Skills: Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and basic computer knowledge. Ability to perform general clerical tasks. Ability to apply the understanding of developmentally appropriate activities of children; meet and promote the social-emotional, physical and cognitive development needs of children. Ability to understand and follow recipes and directions for food preparation. Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English to understand and follow procedures, ensure safety, and complete required documentation related to the position.

*Bilingual Center Assistant must understand and support the teacher/family relationship by providing interpreting assistance for children, families, and the public as required.

Essential Mental Abilities:

Must be organized, flexible and resolution oriented. Ability to multi-task, make sound judgments and demonstrate appropriate role modeling. Ability to maintain full and complete attention to children at all times. Ability to work as a team member and to be self-directed. Sufficient math skills to measure, figure measurement conversion and multiply ingredient amounts.

Essential Physical Requirements:

This position is classified as Center-Facing. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs. a distance of 25 feet and to push and/or pull up to 40 lbs. a distance of 20 yards. Sufficient mobility, strength, and range of motion to perform standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting or kneeling, twisting, and ascending or descending steps. Ability to react quickly to the physical actions of children. Ability to sit for extended periods of time as required by the position. Sufficient stamina to perform job duties at the required frequency. Sufficient vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination to perform job duties safely and effectively. These physical requirements reflect the maximum potential demands of working in a center-based setting and are not indicative of continuous lifting or carrying.

Exposure to Hazards:

Unpredictable child and family behavior, hazardous chemicals, contagious conditions, work with personal computer and other office equipment. Riding in motor vehicles and school buses.

EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENT UPON:

Pre-employment health screening as required by Agency and position (may include, but is not limited to: drug screening, occupational health screening and/or functional testing)

Central Background Registry enrollment

Proof of current personal automobile insurance in accordance with agency policy

Reports to: Site Manager 0-5