Assistant Teacher

Department: Head Start

Reports to: Team Leader/Teacher – Le Mars 3

Primary Work Location: Le Mars

Eligible for Benefits: Yes. 1020.

Work Hours: 8 hours Monday-Friday (8:00-4:00). 40 hours per week, approximately 40 weeks per year.

Hours are subject to change based on financial and program requirements.

Requirements:

• Any of the following:

• • Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood or Child Care Supervision & Management.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education or related field.
  • Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or willing to obtain within 18 months of hire.

• Able to stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, push and pull regularly.

• Lift up to 15 pounds often; lift up to 30 pounds occasionally; lift over 30 pounds rarely.

Qualifications:

• Center-based work experience with pre-school age children preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Be knowledgeable of Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards, Iowa Licensing Regulations and programs policies/procedures.
• Must be able to relate to low resource preschool children, families and staff in a positive manner.
• Works collaboratively with staff to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
• Maintain staff to child ratio and ensure children’s safety at all times.
• Maintain a positive, healthy and safe learning environment for children and families.
• Provide a high quality educational indoor and outdoor learning environment by following the High Scope, PBIS, and 2nd Step curriculums to ensure school readiness for children.
• Assist the Team Leader/Teacher for planning and implementing daily classroom lesson plans.
• Collect anecdotal notes that are current, ongoing, factual and objective on children and enter into the Teaching Strategies online GOLD.
• Use ongoing assessment information to improve curriculum implementation and individualize learning experiences.
• Eat breakfast, lunch and snack with children through a family-style meal.
• Maintain a warm, nurturing environment that will encourage children to be problem solvers and decision makers.
• Effectively communicate with parents on an ongoing basis.
• Affirm the parent role as the primary educator of their child.
• Help meet in-kind requirements for our program.
• Assist the Team Leader/Teacher with required home visitations and parent teacher conferences.
• Chaperone on the transportation bus as needed.
• Be responsible for the complete operation of the center in absence of Team Leader/Teacher.
• Able to work flexible hours without direct supervision, including some evenings.
• Follow cleaning procedures to maintain a clean and sanitary classroom/center.
• Complete necessary paperwork in an accurate and timely manner including data entry into the Child Plus system.
• Follow HS/EHS policies and procedures.
• Responsible for contributing to a positive and productive work environment.
• Attend at minimum 15 hours of trainings for professional development requirements.
• Able to work flexible hours without direct supervisions, including some evenings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Conditions of Employment:

• Submit to the Department of Human Services Criminal History and a Request for Child Abuse Information Records Check prior to employment and every two (2) years thereafter.
• Submit to FBI National Fingerprint Criminal History Check prior to hire and every four (4) years thereafter.
• Submit to a Motor Vehicle Records check prior to employment and every year thereafter.
• Complete a DHS Physical Exam prior to employment and every 3 years.
• Complete a Tuberculosis Screening or Assessment prior to employment.
• Complete mandatory reporter training within 3 months of hire and every 3 years thereafter.
• Adhere to HS/EHS Standards of Conduct.
• Sign and maintain required confidentiality statement.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, insurance and reliable transportation.
• Attend required in-services, trainings, orientations and meetings.
• Must be able to complete job duties as described with reasonable accommodations.