Center Aide

TELAMON|TRC COMMITMENT TO TRAUMA INFORMED CARE:


Telamon|TRC has taken steps to shift our organization into a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) model. This changes our perceptions about the individuals that we work with, employees and customers, including families and children. A trauma-informed system of care provides services that empower employees and customers, including families and children, to feel safe, welcomed and engaged at all levels of organizational interaction. Exchanges that could be potentially retraumatizing, or trigger traumatic reactions require thoughtfulness and non-judgement. Ongoing, as an organization, we collaborate to educate employees about the effects of violence, victimization and trauma on individuals. This model supports a culture of safety for employees and customers, including families and children.


POSITION SUMMARY:


Ensures the safety and security of the children in the facility and on the bus, promotes learning and development of children and assists teaching staff in planning and carrying out educational activities. May assist in the kitchen, with clerical duties or with custodial duties.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:


1.


Assists the Teacher in implementing educational programs for each child and the classroom and on playground.


2.


Assists the Teacher in record keeping, observations, assessments and screenings.


3.


Performs duties of Bus Monitor as assigned. Ensures children are safely transported on the bus by checking seat belts and making the children stay seated. Checks the bus to make sure all children have exited.


4.


Engages the children on the bus to create an interactive environment by preparing activities and conversing with them.


5.


Serves as a liaison between staff and parents.


6.


Maintains confidentiality regarding students.


7.


Protects the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.


8.


Assist children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, brushing teeth, and toilet habits.


9.


Assist in preparing food and serving meals to children. Maintain clean environment for food service area and wash dishes and pans.


10.


Assist with laundry, custodial and clerical duties.


11.


Assist with the mobilization and documentation of matching/in-kind funds.


12.


Fills in on a temporary basis when a staff member needs to leave the classroom for a short duration.


13.


Participates in staff meetings and training sessions.


14.


Works in cooperation with supervisor to develop and document progress on professional development plan. Actively engages in professional development activities to increase qualifications in accordance with Corporation's Core Values.


15.


Work may require the flexibility to stay until all children have left the program.


16.


Driving to transport food to serve children, or to perform other work-related tasks may be necessary.


17.


Perform all other duties as assigned.


SAFETY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:


Ensuring a secure workplace is a collective effort. All employees are responsible for adhering to established safe work practices and completing all mandatory safety training by the assigned due date.


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:


This position has no direct supervisory duties.


ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:


Education and Experience Requirements:

Job Code 525 / Grade E1A
•High school diploma or G.E.D. recommended.
•Ability to follow standard practices and instructions, keep routine records and effectively communicate with staff, parents and children.
•Willingness to work to meet minimum state licensing requirements for classroom ratio position.


Job Code 527 / Grade E1B
•Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in assigned age group and experience working with young children


Job Code 531 / Grade E1C
•Associate's degree (AA) or higher in Early Childhood Education or *related field


Preferred:
•At least six months experience in a similar position working with children.
•Prior experience in clerical, food service, office, or organizing role.
•Bilingual (Spanish/English).


All grades require completion of CPR/First Aid within a month of hire.


All grades must have a willingness to work towards any additional credentials needed to move to the next level in the position, this may include continued education.


* State requirements may vary, individual must meet requirements for state in which they are employed.


** Degree in a related field is defined as an associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degree in a field other than child development or early childhood education that either includes or is supplemented by twelve (12) college credits in child development, early childhood, or equivalent coursework focusing on children birth to age five. At least 3 of those credits must be in an infant toddler or preschool focused foundations course in child development.


Skills and Abilities:
•Bilingual ability is preferred.


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:


The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
•Work is performed mostly inside the facility.
•Sitting walking, stooping, squatting, lifting (up to 30 lbs), carrying, pushing and climbing.
•Riding in a bus for prolong periods of time with noise and vibration.
•Moving through the Center and classrooms. Ability to respond to quickly changing situations in a safe manner
•Frequent exposure to adverse weather conditions.
•Exposure to blood, other bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals and dirt.
•Occasional pushing of heavy cart, bending, reaching and climbing.
•Using sharp tools for cutting and preparing food.
•Handling containers of hot food.
•Regular attendance for this position is required, as regular attendance ensures we are providing the services we have committed to provide to the children and families we serve.


Background Checks:
•All employees are subject to both a pre-hire and an annual background check. Specific rules by Area of Focus will indicate whether a state or federal fingerprint background check (or both) is required and the frequency. A fingerprint background check may suffice for a regular background check. Additional background checks may be required such as the Child Abuse and Neglect State Registry, and the Sex Offender Registry.


Positions that Require Driving:
•Telamon|TRC employees that are required to drive a personal vehicle for work-related duties are to meet the auto insurance liability requirement. The minimum limits required are $100,000 each person bodily injury, $300,000 each accident bodily injury and $50,000 property damage. The insurance liability requirement covers use of an employee's personal vehicle.
•Telamon|TRC employees that drive a company-owned/rental vehicle must maintain a satisfactory annual motor vehicle record check.
•Must have own transportation, a valid driver's license, and vehicle insurance.