CDA Specialists work under the direction of an assigned Lead Teacher. The position is responsible for assisting 1-2 classrooms in planning and implementing classroom routines, curriculum, meals, and related activities for pre-school and/or infant toddler children (ages 6 months-5 years).

Summary: The position is responsible for assisting 1-2 classrooms in planning and implementing classroom routines, curriculum, meals, and related activities for pre-school and/or infant toddler children (ages 6 months-5 years). This position serves as the assistant in a classroom of 14 to 20 Head Start /Preschool children and/or 7-8 Infant/Toddler children. This position is chiefly responsible to aid in the core functions of the Head Start program and performs other tasks as needed.

• Unit: Early Learning
• Immediate Supervisor: Education Services Professional
• Classification: Standard / Full Time (1.0 FTE) or Part-Time (Hourly)
• Status: Non-Exempt
• Directly Supervises: None

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Essential Job Responsibilities: 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 abilities required.

• Works under the supervision of a licensed teacher or assistant teacher to enforce learning for individual students or small groups of students.
• Administers, and records achievement and diagnostic tests under the direction of the teacher or assistant teachers for individual students or groups of students.
• Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on an understanding of individual students, their needs, interests and abilities.
• Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in the handling, operation and care of equipment, including media, and instructional materials.
• Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in the supervision of students during emergency drills, assembles, play periods, field trips and in other non-classroom activities.
• Assists the teacher or assistant teacher with non-instructional duties such as snack, lunch, toilet and clothing routines.
• Serves as a source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in drill work, large group reading or storytelling.
• Alerts the regular teacher or assistant teacher to any problem or special information about an individual student.
• Performs clerical duties as assigned by the teacher or assistant teacher, as needed.
• Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of a licensed teacher or assistant teacher.
• Participates in professional development training programs, as assigned.
• Performs related duties as appropriate for the position.

Knowledge and Abilities to be achieved within 6-months of employment:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of Early Childhood.
• Knowledge of child development and learning styles.
• Knowledge of computer data entry processes. Knowledge of family-centered practices.
• Knowledge of local resources, customs and languages, preferred.

Abilities

• Ability to know and implement the Head Start Performance Standards and requirements and policies of CIFC Early Learning Programs.
• Ability to exercise judgment in evaluating and making decisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, parents, clients, outside agencies, and the public.
• Ability to keep program information confidential.
• Ability to carry-out daily functions.
• Ability to use program software, use computer for data entry.
• Reliable transportation to get self to and from home, office, Head Start sites, and other program locations.
• Preferred to posses a valid Driver’s license and have minimum automobile insurance coverage legally required by the state of Connecticut.

Language skills

• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing.
• Ability to speak, read and write English at a level well enough to understand and be understood by others.
• Ability to hear an understand all emergency announcements in English.
• Ability to write observations and business correspondence.
• Ability to read, retain and understand Health & Safety procedures for sanitization, disinfection, and meal-time distribution.
• Ability to speak within groups of individuals, such as Parent Conferences and staff meetings.
• Bilingual skills helpful (English/Spanish or English/Portuguese)

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to calculate amounts by adding, subtracting and dividing.
• Ability to accurate count the number of children in a classroom.
• Ability to understand 1:4, 2:8, 1:10, 2:20 child to staff member ratios.

• Minimum High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate or a commitment to obtain a CDA within 1 year of employment is required (paid by the employer) is required.
• Early Childhood Education Credits are preferred; and/or Associate and/or Bachelor degrees are preferred.
• Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
• Entry level position; previous babysitting or childcare experience is preferred.
• Basic computer experience is required (i.e. email, word processing, internet navigation).
• Applicants with multiple language capabilities (English, Spanish, and/or Portuguese) are preferred.

Health Requirements:

• Recent documentation free of communicable diseases; and
• Recent fit for duty examination.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.

Competitive compensation, plus comprehensive fringe benefits package including health care coverage and retirement program.