Support Services Specialist

Innovative Network of Knowledge; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovative Network of Knowledge (INK) is seeking a dedicated team member to support our childcare program. The role emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and compliance with health and regulatory standards, while working with diverse populations and collaborating with teachers and families.

Responsibilities include daily facilities upkeep, food service support, safety reporting, and assisting with events and supervision.

Qualifications

• Must be able to respond respectfully to diverse populations.
• Fluency in English; Spanish preferred for communication with families.
• Maintains professional composure in fast-paced environments.
• Understanding of INK policies and procedures; adherence required.
• Must organize and prioritize duties effectively.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Complete health examination.
• Eligible to work in the U.S.; background checks required.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Ability to interact with children and caregivers safely.

Responsibilities

• Protect children’s health and safety; no unsupervised supervision.
• Provide nutrition services aligned with dietary needs and cultural considerations.
• Keep facilities, equipment, and materials clean and safe per policies.
• Follow hygiene practices for toileting, handwashing, and diapering; handle food safely.
• Ensure child safety and report any suspected abuse or concerns.
• Support staff development and training requirements.
• Respond to classroom requests promptly per regulations.
• Communicate with teachers about student behavior and progress.
• Monitor classrooms for hazards and safety.
• Report incidents within policy timeframes.
• Daily cleaning of facilities and common areas.
• Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies; reorder as needed.
• Perform seasonal deep cleaning and maintenance as required.
• Implement hyper-sanitation protocols when directed.
• Ensure safety procedures align with federal policy and protocols.
• Prepare and serve classroom meals and assist with family-style meals.
• Wash dishes and utensils using approved sanitation methods.
• Inspect and upkeep interior and exterior areas for hazards and trash.
• Oversee groundskeeping and supervise field trips or events as needed.
• Notify supervisor of safety or health concerns.
• Assist with moving/relocating furniture and equipment.
• Launder clothing and linens for classroom activities.
• Assist with classroom supervision and setup/teardown for events.
• Support repair and maintenance of buildings and equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish (preferred)

Strong communication skills

Emotional control

Organizational skills

Customer service orientation

Education

High School diploma or GED

CDA credential or state CDA-equivalent

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

It’s a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world!

Academic Req: Required - High School diploma or GED, and Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or state awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirementsfor a CDA credential, or at onboarding enrolled in a CDA credentialprogram to be completed within 18 months of the time of hire.

Work Experience: Required - One year of related work experience.

Critical Action Items & Measurable Deliverables:

1. Protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and no child is left alone or unsupervisedwhile under our care. (HSPPS §1302.90)

2. Implement nutrition services that are culturally and developmentally appropriate, meet the nutritional needsof and accommodate the feeding requirements of each child, including children with special dietary needsand children with disabilities. (HSPPS §1302.44)

3. Ensure facilities, equipment, and materials are kept clean and safe for children’s use in accordance with federal policies and agency protocols. (HSPPS §1302.47)

4. Implement hygiene practices that at a minimum ensure (i) Appropriate toileting, hand washing, anddiapering procedures are followed; (ii) Safe food preparation; and, (iii) Exposure to blood and body fluidsare handled consistent with standards of the Occupational Safety Health Administration. (HSPPS §1302.47)

5. Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting at a minimumsuspected or known child abuse and neglect, appropriate supervision of children at all times, and allstandards of conduct. (HSPPS §1302.47, §1302.90)

6. Support and participate in staff development, including completion of minimum training requirements asspecified in state and federal standards (HSPPS §1302.91, §1302.92), continuing professional development,and staff wellness initiatives.

7. Respond to classroom requests for support in a timely manner, which is also compliant with Office of HeadStart and agency regulations, policies, and protocols.

8. Establish regular communication with teachers to ensure they are well-informed about their students’ behavior, and progress.

9. Monitor classroom to make certain it is free from physical and environmental hazards.

10. Report all incidents within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol.

Other Responsibilities:

1. Conduct daily cleaning of facilities, including but not limited to classrooms, offices, bathrooms, andcommon areas and playgrounds.

2. Conduct and maintain inventory control of all cleaning supplies, including ordering and receiving supplies.

3. Perform or arrange seasonal deep cleaning and maintenance of building interior and exterior (i.e. floorwaxing, carpet cleaning, pressure wash building).

4. Implement hyper-sanitation protocols when directed.

5. Ensure that safety and health procedures are followed in accordance with federal and agency policy andprotocols.

6. Prepare and serve classroom meals and assist with family-style meal activities as directed.

7. Wash dishes, pots, pans and utensils using approved sanitation methods.

8. Conduct routine inspections and regular up-keep of interior and exterior areas to ensure areas are free ofsafety hazards, trash, weeds, and other foreign materials.

9. Conduct daily inspection/grounds keeping of outside areas, including lawns, landscaped beds, playgrounds,and parking areas to keep centers clean and safe between regular contracted site services.

10. Notify supervisor of any safety or health issues or concerns.

11. Assist with moving and/or transporting office and classroom furniture, fixtures, supplies and equipment asrequested.

12. Launder clothing and linens in support of classroom activities as requested.

13. Assist with classroom supervision as needed.

14. Assist with set up/tear down for classroom and center activities, training, meetings, recruitment fairs, andspecial events.

15. Assist with repair and maintenance of buildings, storage facilities, machinery and equipment.

16. Perform other job duties as assigned.

Requirements:

1. Demonstrate ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

2. Communicate in writing and verbally in English and Spanish (preferred).

3. Demonstrate ability to maintain emotional control, and professional composure at all times.

4. Demonstrate a working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.

5. Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

6. Possess a valid driver’s license.

7. Complete and pass health examination.

8. Confirm work eligibility status.

9. Successfully pass driving history check.

10. Clear criminal background check.

11. Required to lift up to 60 pounds.

12. Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.

13. Exposure to communicable diseases, and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at risk
    neighborhoods, etc.

14. Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required associated with attendance atconferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in somecases where some overnight travel may be required.

15. Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parentteacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community, and social events such as field trips.

Here at INK, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

INK is committed to following immunization recommendations produced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As such, our company policy requires that all employees must receive an annual Influenza vaccination or obtain an approved exemption as a medical or religious accommodation. This is a condition of employment, and all new hires will be responsible for providing proof.

INK is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of INK, not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

English (United States)

If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you!

EEO Statement

In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex,or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

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