Head Start Teacher Aide / Bus Driver

Scmcaa; Missouri; On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Teacher Aide/Bus Driver to join their team. In this multifaceted role, you will assist teachers in providing a nurturing environment for children's development while ensuring their safe transportation. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on young lives and engage with families in a supportive community. If you possess a passion for education and a commitment to safety, this role is perfect for you. Join a team that values emotional maturity, flexibility, and the well-being of every child, and help shape the future of the next generation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• CDA credential must be obtained within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Teacher with daily activities and lesson plans.
• Safely transport children and maintain a clean vehicle.
• Administer first aid and ensure safety during transport.

Skills

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential

Knowledge of program curriculum

Vehicle operation and CDL license

Basic vehicle maintenance knowledge

Positive communication skills

Ability to relate to children and parents

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CDA classes within six months of hire

Tools

School bus

Job description

JOB TITLE: Teacher Aide/Bus Driver

SALARY RANGE: 7

SUPERVISES: N/A

WORK STATION: Classroom/Bus

REPORTS TO: Teacher, Site Supervisor, Education Manager, Transportation Manager

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Head Start Teacher Aide/Bus Driver is responsible for assisting the Teacher in carrying out daily activities designed to provide for the physical, emotional, nutritional, social, and intellectual development of the children within an environment that is safe, healthy, and conducive to learning. The Head Start Teacher Aide/Bus Driver is responsible for safely transporting the Head Start children to and from the center following a pre-determined route, monitoring the passengers and their safety, maintaining cleanliness, and monitoring vehicle safety.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Work as a team with other teaching staff and assist with daily activities in the Head Start center as required.
2. Develop weekly lesson plans and activities as needed to meet children’s individual needs.
3. Perform teaching tasks as outlined in curriculum and performance standards.
4. Assist with all requirements of teaching position, including home visits, screening and assessment of children, and other required documentation and duties.
5. Perform duties of the teacher, when necessary due to teacher’s absence.
6. Maintain safe driving habits and an atmosphere on the bus conducive to safety. Posts and explains passenger regulations and is responsible for enforcing them.
7. Administer first aid in case of injury, handle all emergency situations including vehicle evacuation. Maintain current emergency information on all children and adults in the vehicle at all times.
8. Control all passengers on the vehicle and ensure that safety restraints are used for everyone. Maintain a positive atmosphere on the vehicle that will provide for learning in a safe and healthy environment.
9. Never leave a child unattended on the vehicle at any time.
10. Assist children and their parents on and off the bus. Ensure a responsible person, listed as approved to pick up the child, is home to receive the child. Take a child into a child care center, if needed, and assure the child is with a responsible staff person.
11. Maintain a clean and safe vehicle.
12. Conduct daily vehicle inspections, pre-trip and post-trip inspections, and report any concerns to the Area Supervisor.
13. Obey all state, county, and local driving regulations.
14. Cell phone usage while driving is prohibited.
15. Report all accidents to supervisor immediately.
16. Maintain required documentation concerning mileage, maintenance costs, etc.
17. Provide communication between staff and parents concerning children. Relay messages between parents and Center Staff. Be positive with parents and children as the program’s first and last contact of the day.
18. Drive bus for field trips and other trips.
19. Use the bus for official Head Start and agency business only. The vehicle is not to be used for breaks, personal errands, etc.
20. Participate in appropriate Head Start training. Attend parent committee meetings, center staff meetings, in-service training, and other training as required or requested by management staff and/or supervisor.
21. Ensure that emergency supplies are maintained and properly stored in accordance with agency policy and procedures. Ensure that the communication system is tested regularly and kept in working order. The communication system is utilized for Head Start business only.
22. Work cooperatively with all Head Start staff.
23. Plan the most efficient route, in cooperation with other center staff, taking weather conditions into consideration, and make all designated stops unless otherwise advised by Center Staff.
24. Understand responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect. Read and understand Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Failure to follow reporting procedures, including incidents involving other staff members, may result in termination.
25. Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Possess or obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Must begin CDA classes within six months of hire date.
3. Knowledge of program curriculum, developmentally appropriate practice, and related program performance standards.
4. Relate to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner.
5. Develop and implement classroom activities based on children’s individual needs.
6. Work well with other center staff, parents, and managers.
7. Ability to operate assigned vehicle and possess current CDL license, with all required endorsements.
8. Knowledge of all applicable bus safety regulations and procedures. Knowledge of all Head Start transportation guidelines and standards.
9. Knowledge of basic vehicle maintenance.
10. Knowledge of basic child development as well as child care and guidance knowledge.
11. Maintain conduct that promotes a positive image to staff, parents, agency, and community.
12. Obtain initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment. Complete a medical exam and TB assessment every five years following initial employment.
13. Pass background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and be subject to random drug testing.
14. Maintain conduct that promotes a positive image to staff, parents, agency, and community.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possess personal qualifications: emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the standards of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities. Must have good verbal communication skills and visual ability to observe children. Ability to fulfill responsibilities under pressure, including during emergencies.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. Risk involved with travel on main highways, side streets, and rural roads during the transportation of children. Risk of exposure to communicable diseases. Must be able to lift 55 pounds, many times a day, climb into the school bus, bend, kneel, and squat frequently. Job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, running, and sitting in child-sized chairs and/or on the floor.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position, including changes in location, classroom, caseload, and hours. The Executive Director may, at any time, for disciplinary purposes, the utilization of personnel, or for the general good of the program, reassign an employee from one position to another position.