Teacher Assistant

Title: Teacher Assistant

Location: Charleston, OR

Program: South Coast Head Start

Reports to: Teacher/Advocate

HR Contact: hr[at]orcca.us

Pay Level: Starts at $16.32, Depending on Experience

Staff Supervised: None

FSLA Status: Non-exempt from overtime

Effective: 07/09/2022

Position Type: Full-Time, Seasonal

Revised: 7/09/2021

External Applicants: Please submit an employment application, cover letter and resume on our website, www.orcca.us or to hr[at]orcca.us.

Internal Applicants: Please submit a letter of interest and resume to hr[at]orcca.us.

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Assist Teacher in the delivery of high-quality infant, toddler, and preschool services as defined by the Head Start Performance Standards, State Licensing Rules, program work plans, and program goals. Assist with day-to-day operations of assigned classroom. Maintain quality environments with attention to safety and health prevention measures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Reason position exists is to perform these functions):

EDUCATION

• Ensure children are supervised at all times and maintain appropriate ratios and group sizes.
• Ensure children are signed in and out of class and bus and released only to authorized adults.
• Clean and sanitize classrooms, equipment and materials according to policies and procedures.
• Complete daily classroom and playground safety checks, as assigned.
• Assist teacher in providing responsive care, effective teaching practices, and an organized learning environment for all children.
• Assist teacher to implement The Creative Curriculum to fidelity to provide quality, developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor learning experiences.
• Assist in integrating physical activity and utilize program resources to enhance daily lesson plans.
• Provide input and support to ensure learning environments include age-appropriate, and culturally and linguistically responsive supplies, materials, equipment and space, including accommodations for children with disabilities, with periodic changes to support interests, development and learning.
• Use positive guidance strategies to support social-emotional and behavioral health.
• Provide family-style meal service with sufficient time for children to eat, following food safety guidelines for all food service.
• Track daily attendance for each child and implement program attendance follow-up procedures, as assigned.
• Assist Teacher in completing screenings and assessments, as assigned.
• Perform Teacher job duties in the temporary absence of the Teacher.
• Complete additional tasks and job duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Assist teacher in delivery of appropriate services to children with IFSP/IEP’s.
• Provide supportive environments individual supports.
• Support team implementation of individual plans for special health needs, including asthma, diabetes, emotional or other conditions that require additional service provisions.
• In coordination with Teacher, regularly share information with families regarding their child’s routines, activities, and behaviors (conversations, phone calls, notes home, etc.)
• Encourage ongoing parent participation in classrooms, site family events, and other program activities.
• Adhere to federal, state and program documentation requirements.
• Participate in on-going team communication to support service delivery, promoting problem-solving and conflict resolution within assigned team.
• Support outreach and recruitment efforts by communicating the program’s eligibility, selection, and enrollment policies and practices to families, other service providers, and the general public.
• Provide supervision to parents, assigned volunteers and practicum students
• Provide constructive ongoing feedback and support in professional growth

BUS MONITOR (if applicable)

• Ride bus to and from class and on field trips: greet children and parents, share information, perform health check, and monitor children’s behavior for safety at all times.
• Receive direction from the Bus Driver to ensure a safe transportation system.

TEAM EXPECTATIONS:

• Teamwork - We join our individual strengths together creating teams and circles of cooperation to promote innovative thinking and bring opportunity to our community.
• Partnerships - We create collaborative community partnerships to best leverage all resources available for the benefit of the community.
• Diversity - We welcome and accept differences and honor our co-workers and clients by treating each person with equality, dignity, and respect.
• Confidentiality & Ethics - We maintain a high standard of ethics and integrity to respect the confidentiality of clients and staff.
• Physical Safety - We respond promptly to address health and safety needs or concerns for clients and staff.
• Communications - We encourage timely, open-minded, respectful, and direct communication to alleviate controversies and foster a safe, productive workplace.
• Health & Sustainability - Recognizing the importance of physical, emotional, and environmental health, we seek to inspire and model healthy, sustainable living.
• Public Relations - We recognize that each of us represents the entire agency in our public interactions and strive to act in a consistently professional and unbiased manner.
• Professional Growth - We provide an environment supportive to personal and professional growth, cross training, and advancement.

INDIVIDUAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Attend staff meetings, center meetings, and/or other workshops/meetings as notified
• Maintain a positive attitude regarding ORCCA and all its programs along with the Head Start program and philosophy
• Model behaviors that demonstrate an understanding, acceptance and welcoming of diversity
• Maintain respect and positive communication regarding all children, families and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintain open, two-way communication with staff
• Accept suggestions and guidance from supervisor and other management staff
• Seek feedback on job performance and evaluate suggestions and guidance to incorporate in performance
• Commit to further training. Develop an individual training plan using program tools, as appropriate.
• Communicate with supervisor regarding any needed changes or concerns with work schedule.
• Adhere to agency procedures as a mandated child abuse reporter
• Regular attendance is a requirement of the position.
• Ability to perform the job with or without reasonable accommodations

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Infant/Toddler, including Baby Promise

• AA in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or AA in related field or higher
• Oregon Registry Step 9 or higher
• Infant/Toddler Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential
• Oregon Registry Step 7 or higher
• Enrolled in Infant/Toddler Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Additional competencies/preferences:

• Paid experience working with infants/toddlers preferred

Preschool (in order of preference)

• AA in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or AA in related field or higher
• Oregon Registry Step 9 or higher
• Preschool Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential
• Oregon Registry Step 7 or higher

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent (Upon hire, must be enrolled in CDA program to be completed within 2 years) or;
• High school diploma or equivalent (Upon hire, must be enrolled in AA program with professional development plan to achieve Oregon Registry Step 7 or higher within 2 years)

Additional competencies/preferences:

• Paid experience working with preschoolers preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Geographic Area: Coos, Curry, and Coastal Douglas Counties; Primary worksite:
• May lift items up to 51 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Access to indoor office, in a climate-controlled environment; may not have access to sunlight. Regular activities outside in a non-climate controlled environment.
• Regular kneeling, bending, stooping and sitting on the floor.
• Regular walking and standing for prolonged periods of time.
• Occasional events outside of the office at irregular hours will be required.
• Attendance at off-site staff training events will be required.

OTHER:

• A current Oregon Driver’s License is required.
• Proof of automobile liability insurance [at] $100,000/300,000 liability limits and maintain such limits.
• Reliable transportation for getting to work.
• Must be free from illegal drugs, may be subject to suspicion testing.

NOTE: The specific statements reflected in each section of this position description are not intended to be all-conclusive, but rather the basic elements and criteria considered being necessary in order to satisfactorily perform the duties associated with the position. Your employment with ORCCA is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Employer with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

Oregon Coast Community Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ORCCA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operation.

Please inform Human Resources at 541-435-7090 or hr[at]orcca.us if you require a reasonable accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of this job.