Classroom Support Aide

Pinal Gila Community Child Services; Apache Junction (AZ); On-site; USD 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinal Gila Community Child Services is seeking a Classroom Support Aide to assist in daily classroom operations and implement developmentally appropriate activities within the Head Start program.

Responsibilities include supporting individualized goals, promoting holistic development, observing progress, and aiding with meals and daily care while maintaining confidentiality and partnering with families and staff.

Qualifications

• HSD/GED minimum; CDA/ECE certificate preferred.
• Completion of CDA for Preschool and/or Toddlers within 24 months.
• Six months Head Start/Child Care experience preferred.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Basic computer and communication skills; professional in interactions.

Responsibilities

• Assist staff in implementing curriculum to support educational and assessment goals, including individualized goals for children with disabilities.
• Actively participate in daily classroom operations; adapt activities and materials to support participation of children with disabilities.
• Promote social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development for all children, including those with disabilities.
• Observe, record, and monitor children's progress; communicate observations with staff, consultants, and parents.
• Facilitate family-style meals per CACFP guidelines; assist with feeding.
• Perform caregiving activities (feeding, toileting, dressing).
• Assist staff to incorporate IEP/IFSP goals into classroom activities.

Skills

Observation

Communication skills

Teamwork

Bilingual English/Spanish desirable

Education

HSD/GED

CDA/ECE Certificate preferred

CDA within 24 months

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible for assisting with daily classroom operations, participates in planning and implementing appropriate early childhood activities, provide individualization and support for specific children, and develops appropriate relationships with children, parents, community, and co-workers within the Head Start Program. Hours may be flexible throughout the year based on site need.

Essential Functions

The Classroom Support Aide will ultimately be evaluated on a combination of skills, dispositions and behaviors, some of which are related to the specific service area of this position and others that represent general expectations of all our agency employees.

The Classroom Support Aide responsibilities chiefly fall within the following essential functions, although s/he may perform other tasks and/or duties as assigned. The Classroom Support Aide will demonstrate competency to perform essential functions that include:

1. Assists staff in implementing curriculum to support educational and assessment goals for all children, including individualized goals for children with disabilities.
2. Actively participates in daily classroom operations by adapting and implementing developmentally appropriate activities and materials, and equipment to facilitate participation of children with disabilities.
3. Promotes the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of all children, including those with disabilities and behavioral challenges.
4. Implements and reinforces behavior management techniques.
5. Observes, records, and monitors children's progress; routinely communicates observations with classroom staff, consultants, and parents.
6. Facilitates family-style meals, including assisting children with table setting, serving food, and practicing mealtime behavior per CACFP guidelines.
7. Performs required caregiving activities (feeding, toileting, dressing, etc.).
8. Assists staff to incorporate IEP/IFSP goals into classroom activities as directed.
9. Assists children with differing abilities in their daily routine, including diapering and feeding.
10. Recruits families for all PGCCS options, including maintaining a waiting list.
11. Completes reports as assigned by supervisor with accuracy and timeliness.
12. Attends and actively participates in staff meetings, training, and professional development.
13. Maintains confidentiality regarding families, staff, and community partners.
14. Proficient in utilizing various virtual platforms to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration.

Minimum Requirements

1. HSD/GED. CDA/ECE Certificate preferred.
2. Completion of CDA for Preschool and/or Toddlers within 24 months.
3. Six months BCCL or Head Start parent or volunteer work in Head Start (HS) or Child Care (CC) preferred.
4. Classroom Support Aide must be at least 18 years old.
5. Basic computer skills, functional oral and written communication skills, and ability to communicate in a professional manner with internal and external customers.
6. CSA may not drive to pick up supplies, etc. unless a copy of vehicle insurance and driver's license is on file.
7. Fingerprint card and Social Security card, and CPR and First Aid.
8. The Health Questionnaire is required for hire and will be updated every 3 years.
9. Meet all agency, state and federal required immunizations or have an approved exemption on file.
10. Employee must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English.
11. Bilingual English/Spanish skills desirable.
12. Food Handlers Card or Certificate within 30 calendar days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and the application of early childhood development principles, cultural/ethnic diversity, and family dynamics.
2. Knowledge of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and how to implement it within the position.

Skills:

1. Skilled in observation, documentation, and communicating children's progress with classroom staff, consultants, and parents.

Abilities:

1. Ability to prioritize workload while being flexible; works independently and demonstrates strong team-membership skills.
2. Ability to demonstrate/capable understanding of the DCS reporting system and the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect.

Physical Requirements

Able to perform the following physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation: critical sensory requirements include general vision; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Hear or listen in the normal range (corrected) and speak and give directions clearly. Able to walk, sit, stand, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 40 lbs., run 50 feet, and demonstrate exercises - jumping jacks, leg lifts, etc.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a classroom/office setting where minimal exposure to injury exists. The hours of work will generally be during regular business hours and average at least 40 hrs. per week. There will be work variations in work hours due to employee special projects, deadlines, and other concerns. PGCCS employees have the possibility of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials through collateral duty to their routine work assignments, such as rendering first aid if need arises, and seldom exposure to vibration, toxic conditions, odors, dust, mold, and poor ventilation.