Classroom Aide

Support the teachers to provide a classroom environment that supports health and safety for the Head Start children. Primary Responsibilities are to ensure that the Head Start food components are successfully delivered in the classrooms including transporting prepared food from the contract kitchen, ensuring that food is stored and served in compliance with CACFP regulations and assisting the classroom staff with family style meals. All staff play a part in the implementation of active supervision of children and conscious discipline while completing their assigned duties. If needed when no other staff are available to maintain required staff: child ratio the classroom aide may be counted as a substitute teacher once all the food component duties are completed for the day.

Performs all job responsibilities in a safe manner. Complete duties with a positive attitude and with the intention of Paladins success. Includes any other duties to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, or support our organizational values.
Qualifications

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONAL UPON RESULTS OF THE FOLLOWING:

Successful Drug Screening.

Successful Physical Capacities Examination and TB screen results.
Criminal History Background Clearance.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL ABILITIES AND PROCESSES:

Ability to create a positive working environment for both children and colleagues.
Physical capability, strength and coordination adequate to work with preschool children including, kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor.
Required computer literacy: Word processing, database, Internet, spreadsheets, and e-mail.
Ability to assist in maintaining computerized records for child/family tracking system.
Ability to visually assess the health and behaviors of children.
Assist with frequent significant decisions to assure developmental progress of children.
Demonstrated ability to supervise preschool children and ensure a safe learning environment including the ability to monitor and respond to events going on at all times in classroom, outdoor play areas and on field trips. This includes the ability to move quickly to respond to very active children and to redirect or physically remove a child in order to ensure their safety or the safety of others in the environment.
Refrain from engaging in personal business.
Ability to exercise professional conduct in the workplace. Conduct oneself with decorum while representing Paladin.
Ability to respond appropriately (both mentally and physically) to an emergency or a crisis situation.
Uphold all responsibilities for mandated reporting as legally required by the State of Indiana.
Assure that a positive image of Paladin is portrayed at all times.
Occasional driving for training and job responsibility requirements.
Occasional lifting in excess of 50 lbs., occasionally placing children into seats and ability to carry or drag a child in an emergency situation to a safe area.
Occasional climbing steps to enter and exit bus.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Knowledge of working in a preschool setting preferred, but not required
Good verbal and written communications skills
Must have or be willing to obtain Adult and Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certifications within 30 days from the date of hire.
Must have or be willing to obtain CACFP required training(s).
Valid Drivers License and access to a privately-owned vehicle with liability insurance for use in completing work responsibilities as required.
Good verbal and written communications skills.
Bilingual in English and Spanish desirable but not required. The primary language in the workplace is English.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Classroom Management, Intentional Planning, and Meaningful Assessment

Appropriately implements CACFP procedures and comply with all USDA laws.
Complete cleaning tasks assigned by Supervisor
Assist with classroom set up / tear down as assigned by Supervisor.

Family Engagement and Partnerships

Build respectful, culturally responsive, and trusting relationships with families.

Professionalism

Engage in effective collegial relationships
Interact with other staff using the highest standards of professionalism.
Supports team by providing coverage for breaks, lunches, and illnesses as needed
Follow all agency policies and procedures
Responsive to mentor/coaching/management feedback. Demonstrate a willingness to implement new strategies.
Provide customer service in reception, greet, and direct visitors at the site.
Perform other relevant responsibilities as required by the program or assigned by supervisor.
Help with maintaining a clean, sanitary, safe and welcoming classroom.
Model the respectful workplace policy when interacting with Paladin clients, community members, and colleagues.
Must be responsible, able to handle confidential material, able to organize effectively and able to work independently.
Assure that a positive image of the Paladin is always portrayed.

Training responsibilities

Maintain current, valid drivers license and liability insurance at all times on any personal vehicle used to conduct Paladin business.
Obtain and keep current Adult and Pediatric CPR and First Aid certifications.
Attend all Head Start training as directed by supervisor, including but not limited to annual pre-service training, professional development days, and special interest training as available.
Complete 15 credit hours in ECE and a minimum of 20 hours continuing education, based on individualized professional development plan.

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