Head Start On Call Teacher Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Nooksack Indian Tribe

Job Description

Job Title: Head Start Program On-Call/Temp Teacher Assistant (TA)

Department: Early Childhood Education

Reports To: Education Coordinator

Job Status: Hourly- Non-Exempt

Type: On-Call (Temporary)

Grade: A

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Education Coordinator and in collaboration with the Lead Teacher, the On-Call Teacher Assistant (TA) assists in providing a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children enrolled in the Nooksack Indian Tribe (NIT) Head Start Program. The On-Call TA supports the supervision, education, and engagement of children in the classroom, on the bus, on the playground, during field trips, and during all Head Start activities. Responsibilities include assisting with classroom instruction, child supervision, classroom preparation, health and safety practices, daily routines, and serving as a bus monitor when assigned. The On-Call TA may be assigned to either the Everson or Deming Head Start Center based on program needs. The normal work schedule is up to an eight-hour shift between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, as assigned. This position is contingent upon the continued availability of grant funding.

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Classroom Responsibilities:

1. Supervise children at all times while maintaining required staff-to-child ratios and ensuring a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
2. Assists the Lead Teacher in preparing and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities and instructional materials.
3. Supervise, teach, interact with, guide, and observe children throughout all aspects of the daily schedule, including learning centers, circle time, small and large group activities, behavioral health activities, mealtimes, outdoor play, field trips, and other program activities.
4. Promote children's social-emotional, language, cognitive, physical, and self-help development by modeling appropriate behavior, encouraging positive interactions, asking open-ended questions, reading with children, participating in play, and providing individualized support when needed.
5. Assists the Lead Teacher with classroom documentation, observations, and other records as assigned.
6. Observe and promptly report developmental concerns, injuries, illnesses, accidents, incidents, and significant behaviors using required program documentation.
7. Prepare and maintain the classroom each day by organizing learning environments, setting up educational materials, maintaining classroom supplies, and ensuring all areas remain safe, clean, and organized.
8. Maintain classroom cleanliness by cleaning and disinfecting toys, equipment, tables, sinks, bathrooms, and play surfaces; sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, sanitizing classroom materials; and completing required cleaning logs.
9. Follow all program health and safety policies and procedures, including individual child health plans, medication protocols, emergency procedures, and infection control practices.
10. Assist children with daily personal care routines, including handwashing, toileting, diapering, pull-up changes, toothbrushing (when implemented), and other age-appropriate self-help skills while documenting required records.
11. Ensure the classroom First Aid Kit is available and accompanies children during outdoor activities, field trips, emergency drills, and other activities away from the classroom.
12. Ensure children are signed in and out by authorized individuals and release children only to persons listed on the Emergency Consent Form, verifying identification when necessary.
13. Remain in the assigned classroom or supervision area at all times and communicate with the Lead Teacher regarding breaks, schedule changes, or temporary absences.
14. Serve as a bus monitor when assigned by supervising children during transportation and field trips, assisting children with safely boarding and exiting the bus, and ensuring all required child safety restraints and seat belts are properly secured.

Nutrition and Mealtime Responsibilities:

1. Promote healthy eating habits and good personal hygiene by ensuring children wash their hands before and after meals and snacks.
2. Supervise and actively engage with children during meals by modeling appropriate table manners, encouraging conversation, and supporting family-style dining practices as appropriate.
3. Encourage children to try new foods, practice independence during meals, and develop healthy nutrition habits.
4. Monitor children with food allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical needs to ensure meals are served safely and according to physician orders and program requirements.
5. Assist children with meal and snack cleanup using positive guidance and age-appropriate self-help practices.
6. Clean and sanitize meal areas using approved sanitation procedures and promptly clean spills or other safety hazards.

Outdoor Learning Environment Responsibilities:

1. Conduct daily playground safety inspections by identifying and reporting hazards, damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, or maintenance needs before children enter the playground.
2. Ensure children wear properly fitted helmets while riding bicycles or tricycles and remove damaged safety equipment from service until repaired or replaced.
3. Actively supervise and engage children during outdoor play while implementing planned activities that promote gross motor, fine motor, and social development.
4. Ensure the playground First Aid Kit is readily available during outdoor activities and emergency situations.
5. Assist with maintaining a safe, clean, and organized outdoor learning environment, including storing equipment and completing daily playground cleanup.

Professional Responsibilities:

1. Completes required orientation and participates in required program trainings appropriate to the position.
2. Maintain strict confidentiality of all child, family, staff, and program information in accordance with Nooksack Indian Tribe (NIT) policies, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and applicable laws.
3. Comply with all Nooksack Indian Tribe (NIT), Early Childhood Education Department, Head Start policies, procedures, licensing requirements, and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
4. Maintain regular attendance, punctuality, professionalism, and respectful communication with children, families, coworkers, supervisors, and community partners.
5. Perform other duties as assigned to support the successful operation of the Nooksack Indian Tribe Head Start Program.

OTHER DUTIES:

Because of the Tribe's commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

PREFERENCE:

• Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe.
• Current or former Head Start parents or guardians.
• Completed college level courses or degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (preferred).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following qualifications are required for the incumbent to have, in order to be considered for the position.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:

• High School Diploma/GED

REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must pass alcohol/drug test at time of hire and throughout employment.
• This position requires regular contact with or control over children and is therefore subject to an extensive Criminal Background Check, including fingerprinting, at the time of hire and periodically thereafter.
• Must provide documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening or testing upon hire, as required by applicable regulations.
• Complete all required medical examinations, tests, screenings, and immunizations required by applicable federal, state, tribal, licensing, and Head Start regulations.
• Must pass an initial health examination and any required re-examinations in accordance with tribal, state, local, licensing, and Head Start requirements.
• Ability to work in a Native American community.

REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:

• Infant, Child & Adult First Aid & CPR Certified (First available training)
• Food Handler’s Permit (First available training)
• Bloodborne Pathogens Training (First available training)
• Child abuse & Neglect Mandated Reporter Training (First available training)
• Must complete fire extinguisher training annually.

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.):

• The standard work week is 8:00am-4:00pm Monday through Friday (occasionally may have to work evenings).
• Be able to stand, walk, sit, twist, bend/stoop, squat/kneel, crawl, move quickly, and reach on a daily basis.
• Be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision with or without corrective lenses, as well as peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Willing and able to interact with children at their level (i.e., sitting on the floor)
• Frequently alternates between standing, walking, bending, kneeling, sitting on the floor, and actively supervising children throughout the day.
• Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, and telephone system
• Work is performed in classrooms, playgrounds, buses, kitchens, and other early childhood learning environments, both indoors and outdoors.
• Read, write, speak and understand English
• Ability to listen, understand customers, and explain rules, regulations, and policies in a clear and understandable manner.
• Operate in mentally and physically stressful situations with composure.
• May have to walk/drive between office locations under a variety of conditions.

DESIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION

The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for this position.

• Ability to work in a Native American community.
• Ability to maintain health and safety standards.
• Head Start parent preference.
• Must be culturally sensitive.

I have read and understand the position requirements as stated above I further, understand that occasionally I may be instructed to perform duties that are not listed above but are relative to my position.

The Tribe hopes that the employment relationship will be long and productive, however, the Tribe is an at-will employer; therefore, you may terminate the employment relationship at any time, and likewise the Tribe may terminate the employment relationship at any time. Neither you nor the Tribe needs to provide a reason for a decision to terminate the employment relationship.

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Employee’s Signature Date

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Supervisor’s Signature Date