CDA Specialists work under the direction of an assigned Lead Teacher. The position is responsible for assisting several 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 several 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.

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 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)

Other Skills and Abilities

• Basic Computer Skills
• Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with staff, parents, management, and the public
• Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities

SUPERVISION: Works under the direction of the classroom Lead Teacher, and under the supervision of the Education Services Professional or Designee. Supervision is received through personal conferences, general observation of work in progress and periodic review by supervisor or designee.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work areas are inside a climate-controlled environment with moderate background noise.
• May be exposed to bodily fluids, cleaning supplies, and bloodborne pathogens found in general early childhood education environments.
• 70% inside, 30% outside the Center. Weather appropriate attire is expected for staff to meet outdoor program requirements.
• All CIFC Early Learning facilities are smoke-free environments.

JOB SPECIFIC PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit or stand for long periods of time, talk, hear, write, reach to the top of a five drawer filing cabinet and lift children weighing 40 pounds, 20 times a day if needed. Duties also require standing, sitting, stooping, and walking.

• 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 (i.e. TB and COVID); 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.