Special Service Assistant

Douglas-Cherokee Economic Authority Head Start/Early Head Start; Morristown (TN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Job summary

Douglas-Cherokee Economic Authority Head Start/Early Head Start seeks a dedicated Special Services Assistant to support a comprehensive child development program for children and families in East Tennessee. You will assist with assessments, implement positive behavioral strategies, and help with IEP processes in collaboration with the team.

The role requires helping supervise children, maintaining records, and engaging families in classroom, home, and community learning activities while

Qualifications

• Knowledge of ACES and impact on children/families.
• Knowledge of positive behavioral support systems and early intervention.
• Knowledge of child development and early childhood education.
• Ability to communicate with community resources, professionals, staff, parents, and children.
• Emotional stability and adaptability.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing a comprehensive child development program.
• Engage in ongoing assessment.
• Promote social and emotional development with positive guidance.
• Supervise children during daily activities.
• Initiate IEP process for children with disabilities.
• Record and maintain documentation; submit reports.
• Attend meetings and trainings as directed.
• Provide positive behavioral strategies for children and families.
• Ensure behavioral management systems in consultation with the disabilities/mental health team.
• Model evidence-based procedures for children’s behaviors.
• Develop nurturing relationships with children and families.
• Provide emotional support and strategies to address challenges in the classroom.
• Support social skill building and positive behavior interventions.
• Assist in emotional, cognitive, and social development of children.
• Maintain records/files and document interactions and services.
• Assist in classroom and playground duties.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality.
• Observe, assess, refer, and evaluate each child’s progress.
• Plan activities based on individual needs to advance development.
• Encourage family participation and community involvement.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Behavioral support

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Preferred: Social Work / Human Services / Psychology degree

Job description

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Special Services Assistant to assist in the implementation of a comprehensive child development program while supporting children, families, and classroom staff through positive behavioral strategies and evidence-based practices.

What You'll Do

• Assist in the implementation of a comprehensive child development program.
• Engage in ongoing assessment.
• Promote social and emotional development of children while maintaining appropriate classroom discipline using positive guidance techniques.
• Supervise and interact with children in all daily activities at all times.
• Initiate the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process for children with disabilities.
• Assist in recording and maintaining documentation and submitting reports as required.
• Participate in meetings and required trainings as directed by the management team.
• Provide positive behavioral strategies for children and families.
• Ensure behavioral management systems are implemented in consultation with the disabilities/mental health manager and the mental health consultant.
• Model research and evidence-based procedures for children’s behaviors.
• Develop positive, nurturing relationships with children and families.
• Provide positive emotional support and implement strategies to diminish challenges in the classroom.
• Provide continuous modeling and guidance on positive behavior intervention strategies and social skill building with children.
• Assist children in their emotional, cognitive, and social development.
• Maintain accurate records/files and document interactions and services.
• Assist in classroom and playground duties.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality at all times.
• Observe, assess, refer, and evaluate each child’s progress in the assigned classroom.
• Assist in planning and implementing classroom activities based on individual needs to advance physical and intellectual competence.
• Welcome families to participate in classroom, home, and community learning activities and encourage volunteer participation in the program.
• Encourage parents, families, and community members to support the program through gifts of time, goods, and/or monetary donations to ensure program local match (in-kind).

Requirements

Education Requirements:

• Minimum of High school diploma or GED
• Must participate in specialized trainings as determined by the program.

Experience Requirements:

• Knowledge of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and the impact on children/families.
• Knowledge of positive behavioral support systems, behavior management, and early intervention.
• Knowledge of child development and early childhood education.
• Ability to communicate openly with community resources, professionals, staff, parents, and children.
• Evidence of emotional stability and maturity and must be flexible and open to change.
• Basic computer knowledge required.
• A natural concern, empathy, and enjoyment of Head Start children and their families.
• Able to remain calm and supportive when faced with challenging behavior.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must obtain a pre-employment physical and screen for communicable diseases.
• Must obtain First Aid and CPR and keep updated.
• Must agree to pre-employment background check
• Demonstrate a willingness to continue professional development.
• Education: Prefer degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related degree or credential.
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance

About Us

Douglas-Cherokee Economic Authority, Inc. Head Start / Early Head Start Program serves more than 700 children ages 0-5 years in eight counties in East TN: Blount, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Monroe, Sevier and Union. Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. They also receive support to access free medical and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing outdoors in a safe setting. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities.

Our employees have access to:

• Up to 14 paid holidays per year
• Sick leave and Personal time
• Option to participate in State of Tennessee 401(k) savings plan
• Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System
• Group Health Insurance partially paid by the agency with other insurance products available.
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance

Minimum Education : High School or Equivalent