Teacher Aide (Full-time)

Macomb County; United States; On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Macomb County seeks a Teacher Aide to support Head Start operations in a full-time role. Under supervision, you will assist in preparing children and families, meet program goals, and help ensure readiness skills and health requirements, while working across classrooms and with families daily.

Responsibilities include engaging children, supporting parents, maintaining a safe, clean classroom, and complying with licensing standards and Head Start Performance Standards.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Commitment to enroll in a CDA credential program within two years.
• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Child Development Associate credential preferred.
• Experience with preschool/Head Start preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interacts with children and families under supervision, supporting Head Start goals.
• Assists in preparing children and families and promoting readiness skills.
• Maintains safe, clean, healthy classroom environment per licensing standards.
• Supports recruitment, registration, and required screenings for children.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

English language proficiency

Ability to work independently

Multilingual ability preferred

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education

Child Development Associate credential

Job description

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage. Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

To learn more about Macomb County benefits.

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Teacher Aide (Full-time)

SALARY: $32,623.20 - $41,374.08

DEPARTMENT: Macomb Community Action

Opening Date: 09/21/2026

Closing Date: 10/05/2026 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt - overtime paid pursuant to collective bargaining agreement and/or Human Resources Policy

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under supervision, works cooperatively with and assists in the implementation of the Head Start Program. Assists in preparing the children and families by meeting program goals, objectives and outcomes to ensure the development of family goals, program health requirements and readiness skills. Assists in meeting individual needs of children and families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interacts with children and families throughout the day as directed by the Teacher and management staff.
• Encourages exploration, decision making and language stimulation.
• Supports parents in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher and provides positive reinforcement while building self-confidence and self-esteem within a healthy classroom environment.
• Uses active supervision strategies to ensure safety and accountability of all children.
• Participates in recruitment, registration and all required screenings for children, along with any assigned classroom activities.
• Maintains a clean, safe and healthy classroom and work environment in accordance with State Of Michigan Child Daycare Licensing regulations and all Head Start Performance Standards.
• Maintains, collects and enters data regarding ongoing child/family services provided, using program specific software.
• Works with individual children or small groups, when directed, to meet Head Start Performance Standards, program policies and procedures, objectives and child outcomes.
• Assists in ensuring compliance with Head Start, Local, State and Federal regulations for early childhood programming.
• Stays current with early childhood developmentally appropriate practices through online training/videos, conferences, seminars and in-service training as determined by Head Start Program Performance Standards and in consultation with Agency leadership.
• Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions, including travel between various classroom sites during designated shift.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED
• As a condition of employment, an employee within this classification must be willing to enroll in a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program upon employment and successfully complete and maintain the certification within two (2) years of hire per the Head Start Act, 12/12/07, Section 648Aii

Preferred Education and Experience

• Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Development or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Child Development Associate credential
• Previous experience working with preschool age children
• Previous experience with a Head Start Program

Required Licenses or Certifications

Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

• Knowledge of: Knowledge of current early childhood development techniques and practices for working with children who present challenging behaviors
• Skill in: Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with staff, clients, families, outside professionals, agencies, and the public
• Ability to: Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Speak and understand a language other than English is preferred
• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Work independently

WORK ENVIRONMENT / CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously Work Environment Office or similar indoor environment: F/C Outdoor environment: O Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S Construction site: N/S Confined space: N/S Exposures Individuals who are hostile or irate: O Individuals with known violent backgrounds: N/S Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S Communicable diseases: N/S Moving mechanical parts: N/S Fumes or airborne particles: N/S Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S Loud noises (85+ decibels): N/S Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Demand Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: O
• Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): O
• Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: O
• Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). O Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S
• Digging: N/S
• Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O
• Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O
• Kneeling to work at low levels: O
• Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C
• Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another up to 50 pounds: F/C
• Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: O
• Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): O
• Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C
• Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C
• Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: F/C
• Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.

GRANT OR EXTERNALLY FUNDED POSITION

This position will continue only if sufficient grant or external funds are provided. The United Auto Workers Local 889 bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process. Macomb County is Michigan’s third most populated county, boasting a population of more than 865,000 residents and growing. From the densely-populated southern cities to the rural northern villages, Macomb County possesses a wealth of assets that make it a desirable place to live, work and play! As the county gains in population and cultural diversity increases, initiatives such as the dignity campaign enables us to cultivate a community that embraces all people and celebrates their unique contributions. Through collaborative community-based activities, Macomb County is promoting multiculturalism and inclusiveness.