Special Service Assistant

Child Care Resources Inc; Sweetwater (TN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

Douglas-Cherokee Economic Authority, Inc. Head Start / Early Head Start in East Tennessee seeks a dedicated Special Services Assistant to support children, families, and staff through positive behavioral strategies and evidence-based practices.

You will assist in implementing the program, participate in assessments, contribute to IEP processes, maintain documentation, and collaborate with the management team to promote development and well-being in a nurturing, confidential learning environment.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing the 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 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).

Skills

ACES knowledge

Positive behavioral support

Early education

Communication

Emotional stability

Computer literacy

Empathy

Calm under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

Preferred degree in Social Work, Human Services, or Psychology

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.

Minimum Education : High School or Equivalent