Classroom Aide

Malheur County Child Development Center; Ontario (OR); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Malheur County Child Development Center seeks a capable assistant to support the Head Teacher in implementing activities that promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development for each child.

You will work with families and volunteers, follow Head Start standards, and help maintain a safe, nurturing classroom through structured routines and responsive care.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable.
• CPR & First Aid Certification within 30 days of employment.
• Food Handler's Card required.
• Within time of hire: enrolled in Child Care Division-Central Background Registry and renew every five years.
• Within 60 days of employment: provide proof of enrollment into Oregon Registry Step's Program.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and monitor children at all times and intervene to prevent unsafe situations.
• Set up indoor/outdoor environment for daily activities.
• Use developmentally appropriate practices in group and individual activities.
• Collaborate with Head Teacher to monitor each child's development.
• Follow Head Teacher's routine when absent and run the class accordingly.
• Work with children to promote learning and development.
• Observe and record behaviors to identify strengths and growth areas.
• Participate in monthly staffing with all staff as appropriate.
• Engage parent and community volunteers.
• Utilize lesson plans reflecting mandated elements and cultural influences.
• Follow a consistent schedule with activities, transitions, meals, and movement.
• Sanitize classroom equipment and laundry.
• Respond to children's emotions and adjust actions as needed.
• Assist with equipment and supply inventory.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and professional development.
• Monitor and report child abuse.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Bilingual EN/ES

Team player

Child development

Safety supervision

Emergency response

Job description

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

To assist the Head Teacher to ensure our youngest children have a solid foundation for life. Responsible for developing and implementing an ongoing program of activities that promote the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of each child enrolled, in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards. To promote family engagement in all aspects of the program. To abide by the Malheur County Child Development Centers Code of Conduct. Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Supervise and monitor children at all times and intervene to stop or prevent any unsafe situation as needed.
• Assist in setting up environment (indoor/outdoor) for the activities of the day.
• Use developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate activities with groups and individuals.
• Collaborate with the Head Teacher to monitor the development of each child.
• Understand the Head Teacher's routine when it comes to delivering a lesson plan and running the class if the Head Teacher is absent on a particular day.
• Work with children in the classroom to promote their learning and development.
• Observe and record behaviors of children to assist the Head Teacher in the identification of each child's strengths and areas to grow.
• Participate in monthly staffing of children with all staff as appropriate.
• Work with and encourage parent and community volunteers.
• Utilize lesson plans which reflect mandated elements, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of all children.
• Follow a consistent schedule which includes small and large group activities, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, meals, and effective transitions between activities.
• Sanitize classroom equipment and laundry.
• Respond to children's emotions and needs and adjust your actions based on the individual need of each child.

Additional Job Responsibilities:

• Assist with inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Assist with breaks and other classroom needs as requested.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and appropriate professional development activities.
• Monitor and report child abuse.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Frequent significant decision and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Compassionate attitude and strong understanding of child development.
• Nurturing teaching approach.
• Ability to supervise and monitor children at all times to ensure a safe environment. This includes the physical ability to monitor and move quickly in order to respond to children who are very active and may need positive redirection in order to ensure their safety or the safety of others.
• Ability to apply Early Childhood Development theory in daily activities and adapt to the individual needs of children.
• Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision.
• Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or a crisis situation.
• Regular kneeling, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to child's needs.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds in classroom setting and the ability to carry a child in an emergency situation out of harms way.

Minimum Requirements:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable.
• Intermediate computer skills, internet and e-mail.
• Within 30 days of employment must be Pediatric CPR & First Aid Certified and have a current Food Handler's Card.
• Physical Examination is required at hire. Negative TB Assessment Screening is required at hire and will be updated annually.
• At time of hire must be currently enrolled in Child Care Division-Central Background Registry and must renew every five years.
• Within 60 days of employment, must provide valid proof of enrollment into the Oregon Registry Step's Program.