Preschool Assistant Teacher

Description:

POSITION: Preschool Assistant Teacher

JOB CODE: EST1

OCCUPATIONAL GROUPING: Education

REPORTS TO: Education Area Coordinator or Site Supervisor

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

POSITION TYPE: Full Time/Part Year (10-Months)

SALARY GRADE: 24

HOURLY PAY RANGE: $23.08 to $23.66

LOCATIONS: Alhambra, Los Angeles, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, and Whittier, CA

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc. (Plaza) is a comprehensive early childhood education program with a focus on school readiness for children zero to five years of age. Developmentally appropriate services are provided for children from low-income families, zero to five years of age. Plaza de la Raza currently serves over 650 children and their families.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, the Preschool Assistant Teacher assists classroom-teaching staff in planning, facilitating, and implementing individual and group activities, completing basic records, and sharing information with Site Supervisor/Education Coordinator regarding student progress in planned activities. This position assists with instructing children in activities designed to promote their social/emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development. The Assistant Teacher will also be involved in the planning of individual and group activities to foster learning according to the ages of the children.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction and supervision is provided by the Education Coordinator or Site Supervisor.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists teacher in maintaining a safe, clean, and healthy work environment.

• Assists teacher with meeting the toileting needs of children.

• Assist in the compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, federal and state regulations, and Community Care Licensing requirements.

• Assists in the implementation of Plaza de la Raza's written curriculum plan.

• Assists in the planning and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities.

• Promote children’s progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable state early learning and development standards including children with disabilities and dual language learners as appropriate.

• Assists in the supervision and management of children in the classroom to ensure a safe, clean, healthy, and secure learning environment.

• Assists in preparing lesson plans and submits draft materials to the classroom Teacher for review and modification.

• Completes individualized plans for the children in the classroom. Provides basic evaluative information to the classroom Teacher on the progress and development status of the children in the classroom.

• Accompanies the classroom teacher on home visits and assists with parent conferences.

• Supervises the classroom for brief periods or in the absence of the teacher.

• Assists in preparing teaching aides, including screening and assessment functions. Demonstrates and uses audiovisual equipment and other classroom resources.

• Assists in ensuring the implementation of safe and supervised indoor and outdoor activities of children in the Head Start program.

• Assists children during snack and mealtime and helps demonstrate appropriate dental and personal hygiene.

• Conducts daily inspections of indoor and outdoor facilities and reports and removes hazards.

• Assist teachers in preparing and maintaining attendance records.

• Supports recruitment and enrollment activities on an on-going basis.

• Completes on-going professional development through education, training, and resources.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE OF

Must demonstrate knowledge of early childhood education and development programs, working with and communicating with low-income parents, support the social/emotional, physical and cognitive development of children and engage the family to promote patent involvement in their child’s activities, support the development of relationships between children and their families recognizing that the parent is the child’s primary teacher, infant/toddler growth and development principles and practices, effective child guidance practices and principals and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and Desired Results Development Profile (DRDP).

ABILITY TO

Provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions, demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, both individually and in group settings with community members, groups, managers, regulatory agencies, and facilitate group and individual experiences for children according to their needs, strengths, and interests. Must exhibit the ability to work with others in a supporting and positive work environment; speak with groups or individual parents regarding child development.

EDUCATION

Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Social Science or a related field. A valid California Child Development Teacher Permit or higher.

EXPERIENCE

Six months of experience as a student intern, tutor, or instructional assistant working in an educational setting with preschool children is desirable.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of an initial health examination, performed by or under the supervision of a physician, to determine, at a minimum, if the prospective employee can perform requirements of the job description physical requirements.

• Proof of the absence of Tuberculosis, from a physician, to show that the prospective employee is cleared to work with children and families.

• Documentation of current immunizations against Influenza, Mumps, Measles, & Rubella (MMR) and Pertussis (TDAP).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Fingerprint clearances from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Child Abuse Index prior to starting employment.

• Completed and signed statement of any pending and/or prior criminal arrests/charges/convictions related to child sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect, and/or violent felonies.

• Verification that determines eligibility for employment in the United States of America.

• A valid California driver’s license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to obtain transportation to perform position duties is required.

• As a mandated reporter of child abuse, must immediately report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect to Child Protective Services.

• Bi-lingual in a language reflective of the population served is preferred.

• Current CPR/First Aid certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of that must be met, or are encountered, by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or fee; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee may frequently lift and/or move a minimum of 25 pounds up to 45 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Agency policy and legal requirements.

• Respects and maintains rights and privacy of all staff, parents, and children.

• Attends mandated trainings and meetings, and seek out staff development opportunities.

• Works as a team member with all staff and maintain a positive work ethic.

• Acts conscientiously in performing routine duties.

Adheres to Plaza de la Raza's Standard of Conduct which indicates that staff members are required to adhere to the

following codes of conduct:

1. Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family and refrain from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability;

2. Follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families and other staff members;

3. Maintain visual observation of children at all times and not leave any child alone or unsupervised while under their care;

4. Use positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation.

5. Not employ methods of discipline that involve isolations, the used of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.

6. Not solicit or accept personal gratuities, favors or anything of significant monetary value form contractors or potential contractors.

7. Maintain respect and promote professional relationships with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), families, staff and children.

8. Refrain from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, and tobacco products in the workplace or at any activity funded by federal or state funds.

9. Maintain adherence to LACOE, state, or federal mandates, including but not limited to program eligibility determination regulations for Early Head Start, Head Start or state preschool services.

10. Enrolling pregnant women and children that are not eligible to receive Early Head Start or Head Start services.

BENEFIT PLANS

Plaza offers eligible employees the opportunity to select plans and programs that meet individual and family needs through our comprehensive benefit plans listed below:

Health Care Coverages: Medical, Dental, Vision, Employer Sponsored Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Voluntary Coverages: Accidental, Hospital and Life Insurance

Financial: 401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off: Holiday, Sick and Personal Time, and up to 30 Days of Jury Duty

Work/Life Solutions: Employee Assistance Program

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Complete an online employment application on www.plazadelarazacds.org; and submit the required documentation: 1) Resume; 2) Transcripts reflecting degree and major; 3) Copy of valid California Child Development Teacher Permit or higher; and 5) Copy of valid CPR/First Aid for infants/children. Only complete application packets will be considered for the screening and selection process.

2. Submit official transcripts prior to date of hire.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer to all. Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or

veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.