Head Start Assistant Teacher

Job Title Head Start Assistant Teacher 1, 2, 3 Reports To Lead Teacher Compensation Base Pay: $16.52 - $18.49 / Hour Job Category: Early Childhood Programs Job Summary Contribute to the mission and vision of MICA by creating a positive, respectful, and safe environment for children, families, and community partners, and supporting MICA’s mission, vision, values, Ways of Working, and Whole Family Approach. Provide a successful, safe and supervised educational setting; encourage parent engagement; perform regular duties at the assigned worksite. Essential Job Functions Build & maintain positive relationships with children, families, program staff, and partners. Participate in an effective classroom teaching team. Attend and assist with events for families and county team activities. Develop and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment, promoting children’s progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and the Iowa Early Learning Standards. Ensure assigned curriculum is implemented with fidelity and support skills development in the areas of Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Language and Literacy, Cognition, and Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development. Develop positive and nurturing relationships with children. Engage in positive caregiving routines and interact through conversations and facilitating activities in English. Maintain a socially and emotionally safe and supportive climate in the classroom using Conscious Discipline practices and PBIS supports; use Safety First strategies when appropriate. Maintain confidentiality of information about children and families at all times. Maintain the safety and welfare of children at all times. Assist in arranging equipment and materials in a safe, healthy and orderly fashion in the classroom, playground and field trips. Assist all children in all emergency and disaster drills and situations. Handle occupied wheelchairs as required. Obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certifications, bi-annually thereafter. Serve as the Lead Teacher in their absence. Compliance Conduct child observations and enter into child assessment system. Complete and submit all required documentation accurately, in a timely manner, and according to agency standards. Maintain the program’s CLASS minimum thresholds in all domains. Professional Development Enroll in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education or be enrolled in a Child Development Associate (CDA) Preschool credential program through the Council for Professional Recognition; complete within 2 years of hire. Learn and adhere to extensive Head Start Performance Standards, Department of Human Services child care licensing regulations, and appropriate NAEYC standards. Attend all required trainings. Negotiate a Professional Development Plan with supervisor and implement action plans to meet compliance, program practices, and professional development expectations. Complete and maintain required certifications. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Proficient in reading, writing and speaking English; other languages are a plus. Dedication to continuous learning. Commitment to the inherent worth of every individual. Strong child observations and assessment skills. Strong teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills with families, co‑workers and community partners. Strong commitment to achieving results. Knowledge of early childhood development. Intermediate computer skills; strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn various software and databases. Working Conditions Full-time, non-exempt position, typically 36-hour week; occasional overtime required. Must navigate stairs and access classrooms. Must maintain a calm and composed demeanor in a highly active environment. Move around indoor and outdoor areas to monitor and interact with children. Use appropriate guidance techniques and understand child development. Communicate with children, parents, and colleagues in both one-on-one and group settings. Occasional driving to pick up food or run errands; reliable transportation and valid driver’s license required. Occasional lifting or moving objects up to 40 pounds. Must undergo a pre-employment physical examination and every three years thereafter; include communicable disease testing per state standards. Education and Experience Required High school diploma or equivalent. OR Child Development Associate (CDA) credential appropriate for the age group. OR 2‑year or 4‑year degree in Early Childhood or Child Development. OR related 4‑year degree AND a CDA credential for the appropriate classroom age group. Preferred Applicants enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education AND experience working with children 0‑5 years of age. Food Duties (If Applicable) Prepare and/or serve meals according to CACFP Standards using approved menus and recipes. Utilize portion specifications and product specifications. Substitute or alter the menu in consultation with program registered dietitian to meet children’s individual needs, allergies, appropriate textures, and other requirements. Responsible for emergency food supplies for each classroom. Assist teaching staff in classroom preparation and clean‑up before and after meals. Supervise and assist children in setting the table and cleaning up as directed by Lead Teacher. Eats meals with children. Wash and sanitize kitchen, dishes, equipment, utensils, counters, tables, and food carts to comply with state Health Department Standards and prevent food‑borne illness; utilize the recycling program. Properly complete and assemble food records each day. Receive and verify all supply deliveries against invoices. Maintain confidentiality at all times. Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes for Food Duties Knowledge of sanitary methods. Knowledge of food preparation methods. Knowledge of food safety techniques. Basic mathematics skills related to calculating or converting units of measure to determine proper amounts of food ingredients for mass food production. Additional Candidate Requirements Minimum age requirement of 18 per NAEYC and/or DHS licensing standards. Successful completion of all background checks at hire and thereafter. Must have a CDA or be enrolled in a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program through the Council for Professional Recognition, to be completed within 2 years of hire. Equal Opportunity Employer We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policies are supported by state and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Benefits Paid holidays, generous paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance. Ongoing training opportunities, including assistance in completing a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential during work hours. Educational opportunities through partnerships with Iowa AEYC TEACH Program and Buena Vista University. Work Schedule Full‑time, 36 daytime hours per week, Monday through Friday, 9 months per year. #J-18808-Ljbffr