Site Assistant at Sonoma Community Action Network – Santa Rosa, California

Description: Site AssistantJob DescriptionEXEMPT: No SALARY LEVEL: $19.25-$23.80 DOE per hourDEPARTMENT: Early Childhood Education LOCATION: Sonoma County Head Start CentersSUPERVISION: Center Director HOURS: FT M-F 40 hours per week, 11 monthsDate: 07/2025 APPROVED BY: Human Resources Director
AGENCY BACKGROUND: The objective of Sonoma CAN is to partner with low-income families and individuals to help them achieve economic and social empowerment, build community, and advocate for social and economic justice. Community Action operates a wide variety of programs benefiting low-income Sonoma County residents.

Our Mission: Sonoma CAN is a catalyst of equitable transformation, aligning partners and resources to implement values-based, data-driven, community-led solutions that help families reach their full potential.

Our Vision: We see our Sonoma County transformed into an empowered community of thriving families where every child is raised with joy, justice, and connection.

Our Promise: Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Working at SonomaCAN

At Sonoma Community Action Network (SonomaCAN), we believe that a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthen our team and help us better serve our community. We are committed to fair hiring practices and a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the opportunity to grow professionally.

We make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. Our hiring process complies with all federal, state, and local laws related to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals who meet the qualifications to apply.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: The salary for this position is $19.25-$23.80 DOE per hour. CAN offers a generous benefits package available on the first day of the month after your date of hire that includes:

• Medical insurance premium plans through Kaiser or Sutter is 80-95% paid by the employer for employee premiums, plus 50% paid by the employer for dependent coverage, standard plan is at no cost for union employees.
• Elective dental, vision insurance, FSA, and Accident insurance.
• Employer-paid $10k of life insurance with expandable options
• Employer-paid Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401(K) plan with a 2% contribution and an additional 1% matched contribution after one year of service
• Employee assistance program, CalPerks
• 3 weeks vacation (paid during spring and winter break)
• 96 hours of sick time per year (4 hours accrued per pay period) based on full-time work
• 1 floating personal day
• 16 paid holidays

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Under the guidance of program leadership, this role supports the planning and

delivery of food service and classroom operations in a Head Start center, ensuring safe and healthy meal preparation, table setup, and cleanup in alignment with Head Start Performance Standards and Community Care Licensing regulations. Engages with children throughout the day by supporting classroom activities, supervising play, and assisting with routines. Provides coverage for teaching staff during breaks, and contributes to a nurturing, developmentally appropriate learning environment. All responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the agency policies and applicable federal and state laws.All staff are required to adhere to and exemplify the Head Start and Agency code of conduct.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides meal service and clean-up for Head Start class
• The health, safety and supervision of children in the program is essential, therefore every employee is responsible for the care and supervision of children while they are present at the center
• Ensures maintenance of efficient and safe food service for children
• Follows regular cleaning schedule to maintain clean, safe and sanitary food service area, equipment, and supplies
• Assists daily in the maintenance of appropriate records for food service activities
• Promote good health and nutrition and provide an environment that contributes to the prevention of illness; share in daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
• Follow regular cleaning schedule of food service equipment and area to maintain clean, safe and sanitary area, as approved by the Food Service Supervisor and/or Nutrition Manager
• Ensures food service supplies are ordered in a timely manner
• Engage in daily classroom activities and support on the floor when food service tasks are complete or as needed based on classroom need
• Assists with supervision of children during mealtime, staff breaks and when with children are present
• Complies with all program supervision policies and procedures.
• Assists with classroom food projects
• Responsible for the toileting and diapering of all children and following documentation guidelines
• Assumes specific assignments, as required by supervisor
• Attends trainings and meetings, as required
• Participate in the team building process within the program by using established communication channels in a constructive and productive manner that enhances the team effort while maintaining confidentiality
• Other relevant duties, as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Basic oral and written communication skills in English
• Bilingual, Spanish/English preferred
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to culturally diverse groups and persons from low-income families
• Basic ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Basic ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations with good judgment
• Must enjoy working with children and be able to follow instructions/guidance

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Highly dependable, takes initiative, has good judgment and is able to function with minimal supervision.
• A sincere interest in the development of all children and in building partnerships with families.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Six ( Core) units of Early Childhood Education including courses in the areas of child/human growth and development; child, family and community and program curriculum OR;
• Twelve ( Core) units of Early Childhood Education including courses in the areas of child/human growth and development; child, family and community and program curriculum-Preferred
• Child Development Assistant Teacher Permit-Required
• A minimum of 6 months experience working in Preschool/Infant Toddler classroom

In Addition to the above:

• High School diploma or GED or equivalent
• Valid California Driver's License and a properly insured vehicle for use on the job, or other reliable transportation
• Current Mandated Reporter Certificate (can be completed upon hire)
• Food Handler Certification (can be completed upon hire)
• Prior to beginning work, must be able to pass the Community Care Licensing criminal record clearance, must be up to date on immunizations and have a current (within one year) TB clearance and Health Screening Report.
• Must complete Pediatric First Aid, CPR and Health and Safety Course (can be completed upon hire)
• Current Mandated Reporter Certificate (can be completed upon hire)

Prior to beginning work, must be able to

• Pass the Community Care Licensing criminal record clearance,
• Be up to date on immunizations
• Have a current (within one year) TB clearance
• Have a current Health Screening Report from your primary physician.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance, especially necessary if there are child-safety concerns. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee drives or uses alternative, reliable transportation, approximately 5% of the time, to meetings and trainings as scheduled throughout the year. The employee spends approximately 5% of the time writing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in outside weather conditions a minimum of 45 minutes a day. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and sometimes noisy.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that is required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.