Job Goal:

To support the teacher in the implementation of early learning preschool programs that provide quality learning environments that are safe and nurturing where children can grow and learn. Teachers Assistants will support goals set for children around school readiness which include social, emotional, educational, physical, and nutritional goals.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assist the Teacher in preparing, implementing, and evaluating daily classroom activities
• Assist the Teacher in ensuring that children are taught and supervised in a consistent manner
• Assist the Teacher in ensuring all children are within sight and sound at all times
• Take responsibility for the children when the Teacher is not present
• Take the primary lead for 5 children in the classroom
• Assist the Teacher and parents in providing for children’s daily needs and routines
• Assist the Teacher in ensuring all children are signed in and out by the parent daily utilizing the Attendance form and the Sign In and Out Forms
• Assist the Teacher and parents in maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
• Share the responsibility of maintaining orderliness and cleanliness in the classroom to include but not limited to janitorial duties as assigned by teacher such as sterilization of toys, sweeping and mopping of floors in bathroom and classrooms, cleaning and sterilizing of toilet and sinks
• Assist in planning and involving parents and children in the preparation of nutritious foods and cleanup at meal time
• Assist with daily personal hygiene of the children such as diapering, feeding, tooth brushing, toileting, hand-washing, and resting
• Share the responsibility of providing appropriate care for children with disabilities
• Encourage parents to attend monthly Family Nights
• When required attend Family Night activities, contributing relevant Education component information
• Provide input to teacher for Parent/Staff Conferences, Comprehensive Staffing and Monthly Individual Child Goal Tracking
• Utilize the teacher, other staff, and resource library for technical assistance
• Maintain positive communication with parents

Classrooms with transportation:

• Monitor children and adults while being transported
• Ensure that all children restraints are properly installed and fastened on the the bus
• Assist with boarding and exiting the bus
• Help with evacuations and assist in the event of an emergency
• Demonstrate positive guidance techniques with children
• Ensure the bus is attended at all times
• Assist with post trip inspection of bus to ensure all students have departed from the bus
• Assist with take home material

Education Requirements:

• High school education or equivalent
• Required to obtain a step 6 in ORO within one year of hire date.
• Required to enroll in a CDA program or comparable credential or a college degree program resulting in an Associate degree within two years of hire date.

Experience and Skills Requirements:

• One year experience in a preschool related program
• Current First Aid, CPR, and Food Handler’s card
• Head Start experience (preferred)
• Community service experience (preferred)
• Multi-cultural experience (preferred)

General Staff Responsibilities:

• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned
• Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plan and objectives of Agency
• Maintain congenial and respectful relations with staff, children, families and community
• Keep current and accurate records and file reports on time
• Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information
• Maintain objectives and professional standards
• Improve self-skills and education
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services
• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties
• And or any other duties deemed necessary by your supervisor

*Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Physical Requirements:

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 required to:

• Observe, compare, and monitor behaviors, records and data to determine compliance with prescribed standards
• Comprehend, analyze, and make inferences and references from written material
• Lift children up to 50 pounds from the floor to waist high ten to fifteen times a day
• Frequently crouch to a child’s height and maintain eye contact at a child’s level; stand tall enough to reach children on play equipment; stand or sit for long periods of time; walk up and down stairs; walk or run quickly; walk over rough or uneven ground.
• Frequently bend and kneel.
• Maintain the safety of the environment and children through visual, auditory and smelling senses
• Set up a classroom which requires moving of tables, chairs, shelves etc.
• Kneel or sit on the floor or in child sized furniture.
• Make precise arm-hand positioning movements and maintain static arm-hand positions
• Make skillful, controlled manipulations of small objects
• Perform regular sanitation of classroom and equipment which may require the use of broom, carpet sweeper, and mop.

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

Work Environment/Conditions:

• Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions, as well as in an outdoor learning environment (exposure to weather)
• Requires exposure to cleaning fluids and sanitizing agents.
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people

Safety:

Apply safe practices in the performance of duties

• Reporting of unsafe or hazardous working conditions and/or any injury immediately
• Complying with Agency safety standards
• Participate in emergency drills
• Promote a culture of safe environments in the workplace

Agency-Wide Requirements:

• Current enrollment in the Child Care Division’s Central Background Registry
• Current physical examination, drug screen, and TB screen documentation prior to hire
• Ability to drive a private or Agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver's license and personal automobile or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements. A DMV Record check will be conducted prior to hire.
• Desire to work with low‐income children and their families
• Communicate effectively with staff, families, children, and the public using the telephone and in face‐to‐face, one‐to‐one, and in group settings
• Fluent in English both verbally and written

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. 

Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals in all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, career advancement opportunities, working conditions, scheduling, disciplinary action, termination of employment, compensation, and access to benefits and training. We recruit, hire, and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.