Teacher Aide and Nutrition Aide Floater in Gardner, Massachusetts at Making Opportunity Count Inc

About Making Opportunity Count

MOC’s mission is to empower families to achieve economic security by eliminating barriers and creating opportunities. To alleviate poverty, we deliver a variety of services including childcare, education, workforce development, nutrition, health, and community and housing support.

Position Overview:

The Teacher Aide and Nutrition Aide Floater is responsible for supporting classroom teachers thereby enhancing the Child Care and Head Start program for the children enrolled.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Be familiar with Food Handling and Hand Washing per Health Care Policy
• Work with Bus Drivers to carry cambros/boxes if needed
• Assist in preparing breakfasts and meals in accordance with posted menu and eats with assigned children; checking temperatures on all foods on arrival and follows re-heating procedure if temps are below 140 degrees
• Record food temperatures and refrigerator/freezer temperatures on Food Temperature Logs
• Prepare food for serving i.e. washing fresh fruits and vegetables and cutting into child size pieces, place food on tables immediately prior to eating
• Follows Food Safety and Leftover Procedure for storing leftovers and sending leftovers home with families
• Follow proper dishwashing procedures according to the site facilities i.e. three-bay sink, or commercial dishwasher
• Assist in welcoming children to the center and getting children involved in the classroom
• Assist children with clothing upon arrival, departure and going in and out of doors to play
• Assist in classroom activities as directed
• Assist in supervising toileting and dental hygiene adhering to all health and safety procedures
• Read or tell stories to the children upon staff request
• Browse in picture books with individual children or small groups of children
• Prepare games and teaching aids as requested
• Assist during art activities and special projects, preparing materials such as paste, paper, and paint, putting names on papers, hanging to dry or filing to go home
• Play games indoors and outdoors that are based on the interest, skill, and experiences of the children as directed
• Work with small groups during free play in the various learning centers
• Assist in supervising children during indoor play, outdoor play and on field trips taking frequent head counts
• Encourage children in conversations about everything they do to strengthen concept development and vocabulary skills.
• Follow the programs Child Abuse and Neglect Policy and Behavior Management Policy
• Use positive approaches to behavior management as per MOC and EEC policies
• Always attend to children to make sure they are supervised
• Fill in for teaching staff while they are on breaks
• Assist classroom teachers in general maintenance duties in the classroom
• Assist with busing as requested
• Ensure the safe arrival and departure of children and families by escorting them across the street
• Check and respond to agency email on a regular basis

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Must have High School diploma or equivalent
• Must be CDA credentialed or enrolled in a CDA program to be completed within two years
• Access to reliable transportation
• Dependable and flexible
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work with other adults and children
• Willingness to attend job related trainings
• Ability to follow directions
• Exhibit cultural sensitivity
• Bi-lingual staff must be able to speak, write, and read in two languages as well as assist with translations as necessary
• Fulfillment of all specific health and safety requirements (staff physical every two years, with evidence of Montoux and MMR test, OSHA, first aid and CPR)
• Must have a suitable Background Record Check (BCR)
• Must be in good physical and mental health and be able to lift children and/or work-related equipment, walk, bend, sit on floor and climb stairs
• Follow MOC policies and procedures as described in the Staff Handbook and Personnel Policies as well as the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Dept. of Early Education and Care regulations
• Additional duties as assigned within scope
• EEC Teacher qualified preferred but not required

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift children and/or work-related equipment up to 40 pounds as well as walk, bend, sit on floor, and climb stairs

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Compensation:

A salary within the range of $19.91 to $34.81 per hour will be provided to the successful candidate having met the minimum requirements for the position consistent with the MOC compensation philosophy. Employees in this role are places on the SEIU Non-Teacher Payscale. The candidate’s exact placement will be determined based on factors consistent with MOC’s compensation framework. MOC offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company Paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 15 Paid Vacation Days
• 12 Paid Sick Days
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Student Loan Forgiveness Assistance
• Tuition Remission
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• Professional Development Opportunities
• On-Demand early pay access
• Immediate 403b Employer Contribution, 100% Vesting on Day One!

EEO Statement:

Making Opportunity Count is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.