Early Head Start Support Services Specialist

60 Innovative Network of Knowledge; Boerne (TX); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

60 Innovative Network of Knowledge (INK) seeks dedicated staff to support daily care for children, emphasizing safety, nutrition, and a positive learning environment in a supportive program.

You will follow INK policies, complete required trainings, and participate in classroom activities, cleaning and meal support. Limited travel may be required; bilingual English/Spanish is preferred to engage families and diverse communities.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED with CDA or equivalent certification.
• One year of related work experience.
• Ability to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care.
• Implement nutrition services that are culturally and developmentally appropriate, meet the nutritional needs of each child.
• Ensure facilities, equipment, and materials are kept clean and safe for children’s use.
• Implement hygiene practices to ensure proper toileting, hand washing, diapering, safe food preparation, and exposure to potentially hazardous materials.
• Follow practices to keep children safe during activities and report suspected abuse and neglect.
• Support staff development and minimum training as per state/federal standards.
• Respond to classroom requests for support promptly and comply with regulations.
• Establish regular communication with teachers about student behavior and progress.
• Monitor classrooms for hazards and ensure a safe environment.
• Report incidents within policy timeframes.
• Conduct daily cleaning and inventory of supplies.
• Launder clothing and linens for classroom activities.
• Assist with supervision, set up/tear down, and events.
• Assist with repair and maintenance of buildings and equipment.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Driver's license

Physical stamina

Safety awareness

Education

CDA certificate or enrollment in CDA program

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Position Summary

It’s a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world!

Academic and Experience Requirements

• High School diploma or GED and Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or state awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements, or enrollment in a CDA credential program to be completed within 18 months of hire.
• One year of related work experience.

Critical Action Items & Measurable Deliverables

• Protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care. (HSPPS §1302.90)
• Implement nutrition services that are culturally and developmentally appropriate, meet the nutritional needs of and accommodate the feeding requirements of each child, including children with special dietary needs and children with disabilities. (HSPPS §1302.44)
• Ensure facilities, equipment, and materials are kept clean and safe for children’s use in accordance with federal policies and agency protocols. (HSPPS §1302.47)
• Implement hygiene practices that at a minimum ensure (i) Appropriate toileting, hand washing, and diapering procedures are followed; (ii) Safe food preparation; and, (iii) Exposure to blood and body fluids are handled consistent with standards of the Occupational Safety Health Administration. (HSPPS §1302.47)
• Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting at a minimum suspected or known child abuse and neglect, appropriate supervision of children at all times, and all standards of conduct. (HSPPS §1302.47, §1302.90)
• Support and participate in staff development, including completion of minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards (HSPPS §1302.91, §1302.92), continuing professional development, and staff wellness initiatives.
• Respond to classroom requests for support in a timely manner, which is also compliant with Office of Head Start and agency regulations, policies, and protocols.
• Establish regular communication with teachers to ensure they are well-informed about their students’ behavior, and progress.
• Monitor classroom to make certain it is free from physical and environmental hazards.
• Report all incidents within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol.

Other Responsibilities

• Conduct daily cleaning of facilities, including but not limited to classrooms, offices, bathrooms, and common areas and playgrounds.
• Conduct and maintain inventory control of all cleaning supplies, including ordering and receiving supplies.
• Perform or arrange seasonal deep cleaning and maintenance of building interior and exterior (i.e. floor waxing, carpet cleaning, pressure wash building).
• Implement hyper-sanitation protocols when directed.
• Ensure that safety and health procedures are followed in accordance with federal and agency policy and protocols.
• Prepare and serve classroom meals and assist with family-style meal activities as directed.
• Wash dishes, pots, pans and utensils using approved sanitation methods.
• Conduct routine inspections and regular up-keep of interior and exterior areas to ensure areas are free of safety hazards, trash, weeds, and other foreign materials.
• Conduct daily inspection/grounds keeping of outside areas, including lawns, landscaped beds, playgrounds, and parking areas to keep centers clean and safe between regular contracted site services.
• Notify supervisor of any safety or health issues or concerns.
• Assist with moving and/or transporting office and classroom furniture, fixtures, supplies and equipment as requested.
• Launder clothing and linens in support of classroom activities as requested.
• Assist with classroom supervision as needed.
• Assist with set up/tear down for classroom and center activities, training, meetings, recruitment fairs, and special events.
• Assist with repair and maintenance of buildings, storage facilities, machinery and equipment.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Demonstrate ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Communicate in writing and verbally in English and Spanish (preferred).
• Demonstrate ability to maintain emotional control, and professional composure at all times.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Complete and pass health examination.
• Confirm work eligibility status.
• Successfully pass driving history check.
• Clear criminal background check.
• Required to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
• Exposure to communicable diseases, and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at risk neighborhoods, etc.
• Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required.
• Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community, and social events such as field trips.
• Receive annual Influenza vaccination or obtain approved exemption as a medical or religious accommodation.

INK is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of INK, not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.