Head Start Teacher Assistant (Infant Toddler Room C)

Community Action Pioneer Valley; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Pioneer Valley, in Northampton, MA, is seeking a Teacher Assistant to support educators in implementing daily curriculum and maintaining safety in classroom and bus environments. This role requires interaction with families and adherence to Head Start and EEC regulations.

The position demands 18+ years, a high school diploma or GED, and enrollment in a CDA or ECE degree program with CDA within two years or an Associate's within five years.

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 6–12 months of ECE related experience preferred.
• Must be enrolled in CDA or ECE degree program; CDA within 2 years or an Associate's within 5 years.

Responsibilities

• Assist Educators in implementing daily curriculum.
• Maintain health and safety practices in classrooms and bus settings.
• Ensure supervision of children and implement program protocols.
• Engage with families to support school readiness goals.
• Attend required program workshops and meetings.

Skills

ECE related experience

Teamwork

Health and safety awareness

Compliance awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Enrolled in CDA or ECE degree program

CDA within 2 years or Associates within 5 years

Tools

CPR certification

First Aid certification

Job description

Description

Position: Teacher Assistant

Hours: As Assigned

Location: As Assigned

Status: Non-Exempt

Supervisor: Lead Teacher

Position Summary:

Work with Educators to implement daily curriculum and maintain health and safety practices in educational and bus settings, according to Head Start, Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) regulations. Work with educators, parents, and community to implement individualized School Readiness goals.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate a commitment to quality early care and education programs and sensitivity to the needs of culturally diverse families with lower incomes.
• Produce documentation of physical exam, MMR’s and TB risk upon hire and subsequently every two years. Obtain and maintain CPR and Emergency Pediatric First Aid certification according to EEC regulations.
• Become knowledgeable of and practice the Head Start Performance Standards, EEC Regulations, HS & ELP Service Delivery, and NAEYC criterion, as appropriate.
• Demonstrate basic computer skills, including competent use of program data system..
• Ensure the appropriate supervision of children, including implementation of program protocols for the care of young children.
• Engage with families and specialists in implementing school readiness goals for children.
• Perform on-site meal preparation and clean up, maintaining health and safety standards.
• In coordination with teaching team, maintain safe and healthy indoor and outdoor environments for young children.
• Fill in for bus monitor as needed, completing daily passenger logs, pre and post trip bus inspections.
• Cover for other classrooms as needed.
• Provide child care for site Family Meetings.
• Attend all appropriate program workshops and meetings.
• Adhere to agency confidentiality policies.
• Maintain good in-house relationships with all other staff members.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications:

18 years of age; High School Diploma or GED. Assistant must have 6-12 months of ECE related experience. Must be enrolled in Child Development Associate (CDA) or ECE (related) degree program. CDA must be completed within 2 years of hire date; or if selected alternatively, Associates Degree must be completed within 5 years of hire date.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, use a keyboard and climb stairs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must have the ability to drive a personal vehicle and program vehicles, as needed. Must be able to engage in activities that include bending, floor activities, and lifting young children 2 months to 5 years of age. The employee must have the ability to drive a personal vehicle and program vehicles, as needed. The noise level in the classroom and on the bus is lively. The work environment is primarily indoors or on the bus, with daily exposure to outdoor weather.

This list of responsibilities is not meant to be all-inclusive and may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency. Employment is contingent upon the following: a satisfactory a Background Record Check (BRC), required by Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and its licensed programs, which includes Criminal Offender Record information (CORI), Department of Children and Families (DCF) background check, Sex Offender Registry information (SORI) checks, fingerprint-based national and state criminal history database checks, National Sex Offender Registry (NCOR), and Out-of-State checks (CORI, SORI, DCF) if an individual has lived in another state within the last five years.

BRC and fingerprinting-based national and state criminal history check is to be completed every three years. In addition, employment is contingent on evidence of physical exam within the past year, plus verification of MMRs and TB. Documentation of subsequent physical exams must be submitted exam every 2 years.