Floater Teacher Assistant - Kitchen Assistant

UNITED COUNSELING SERVICE OF BENNINGTON COUNTY INC; Pownal (VT); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Generous PTO

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Career development

Licensure supervision

Tuition assistance

Wellness program

DEIB committee

Community impact

Job summary

UNITED COUNSELING SERVICE OF BENNINGTON COUNTY INC. seeks a Floater Teacher Assistant/Kitchen Assistant to support teachers, supervise children, and assist with meals and CACFP requirements. The role covers classroom coverage, supervision, and daily logistics to ensure smooth operations.

Responsibilities include assisting with classroom activities, maintaining a clean environment, and documenting observations. Valid driver’s license is required; HS diploma or equivalent is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum: High School Diploma or Equivalent and one early childhood course within the first year.
• Preferred: CDA or AA in Early Childhood Education or enrolled to obtain CDA/AA within 2 years.
• License required: Valid Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Supervise children’s play and activities under teaching staff guidance.
• Provide breaks, coverage for meetings, and assist with classroom transitions.
• Assist with meal planning, CACFP adherence, and kitchen duties.
• Maintain classroom and kitchen cleanliness and safety inspections.
• Complete required paperwork and observations in electronic records.
• End-of-day duties and supportive tasks as assigned.

Skills

Child care

Classroom supervision

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

CDA or AA in Early Childhood Education (or enrolled in program to obtain CDA/AA within 2 years)

Job description

Description

Why Join UCS:

For over 65 years, UCS has been providing exceptional and thoughtful care to individuals and families in our community through programs, services, and educational opportunities. Our staff includes positions such as administration, clinicians, nurses, teachers, case managers, psychiatrists, and direct support providers who work within our 15 facilities to support over 3,000 individuals annually. We are proud to be part of Vermont Care Partners, a network of sixteen agencies that provide mental health, substance use disorder, and developmental disability services and supports in every county in Vermont. We are looking for team players to join us in making a difference in the lives of others and building a stronger community.

UCS Offers Generous Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Generous paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career development opportunities
• Free clinical supervision towards licensure
• Loan repayment and tuition assistance program
• Award winning worksite wellness program
• An inclusive workplace supported by an active Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee.
• Rewarding experience making a difference in the community.

We believe a dynamic and inclusive workforce will strengthen our organization and enhance the services we provide. Therefore, it is our goal to hire a diverse workforce and cultivate a culture where our employees feel accepted and included, hold a valued place within our organization and are equally able to contribute to their fullest extent, assisting in fulfilling our mission of building a stronger community.

Floater Teacher Assistant/Kitchen Assistant helps to create and maintain an atmosphere in the classroom in which children feel welcome, valued, comfortable and secure. The Floater Teacher Assistant/Kitchen Assistant is responsible for food preparation and delivery, washing dishes, cleaning, and storing, and meeting CACFP requirements. The Floater Teacher Assistant will help the program day-to-day operations run smoothly by providing classroom teachers with breaks, coverage for meetings, assist with beginning and end of the day cleaning, provide childcare for late afternoon and evening family meetings and events, substituting in the classroom, and help with preparation for the next day.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.0 EDUCATION:

The Floater Teacher Assistant/Kitchen Assistant cooperates with the Teachers and/or Manager to be sure that day-to-day operations within the full day program are running smoothly. The Floater will ensure this by providing Teachers with breaks, covering for meetings, riding the bus when needed, replenishing food for the classrooms at meal times, assisting with beginning and end of the day cleaning, and substituting in the classroom when needed.

2.0 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:

As directed by the Teacher, Co-Teacher and/or Manager, the Floater will supervise children’s play activities, help children to participate in individual activities, small, and large group activities. Will also observe and report child’s behavior to Teacher. The Floater will work with each individual teaching team to ensure that he/she is providing the most appropriate support to the classrooms.

3.0 CLASSROOM AND FACILITY MAINTENANCE:

The Floater Teacher Assistant will be responsible to clean the classroom and Kitchen areas as scheduled and/ or as directed by the Teacher, and at the end of each day. End of the day responsibilities include, but are not limited to, sweeping the floors, combining and bagging up all trash, checking the facility to be sure that lights are off and that all windows are closed, and that all doors are locked. Daily duties may include playground health and safety checklists and minor upkeep; kitchen duties- formula, meal or snack preparation or clean‑up, kitchen dishes and cleanup and paperwork following CCFAP and CDD regulation standards; tidying and organizing common areas and preparation and care of materials and equipment.

4.0 DOCUMENTATION:

Must ensure meeting Office of Head Start and Child Care Licensing Regulations for paperwork standards. Must ensure Bright Futures Quality Credential Account is up to date. Assists Teachers and Co‑Teachers with case notes and child observations and entered into electronic child and family records systems. Ensures children are signed in and out of the program in classrooms worked daily and following systems of program procedures. Ensures CACFP paperwork requirements are met.

5.0 RECORD KEEPING:

Documents daily temperatures of the kitchen and classroom refrigerators and freezers.

6.0 MEAL PREPERATION:

Assists with preparing food for program or family events, workshops, meetings, and others as assigned. Ensures CACFP requirements, including paperwork, are met.

* In addition to the above, performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE/CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum: High School Diploma or Equivalent, and agrees to complete one early childhood or related course within the first year of employment.
• Preferred: Per OHS requirement, must hold a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) or Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education (AA) or be enrolled in a program leading to a CDA or AA within 2 years of employment start date.
• LICENSE REQUIRED: Valid Driver's License