Teacher Assistant CC)

Job Description

Job Description

OVERVIEW: This position will be responsible for ensuring a developmentally appropriate childcare program and environment for children one month to 12 years of age. The Teachers’ Assistant will assist in all phases of classroom activities, planning, teaching and guiding the children. This person must be nurturing, companionate, and caring.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

• Assist Lead Teachers in directing learning activities as well as preparation of materials.
• Assist the Program supervisors/teachers in becoming familiar with each child and assist with developing appropriate goals for each child.
• Assist Lead Teacher and children by participating in individual and group activities such as story time, circle time, classroom stations, play dough, etc.
• Assist in choice time by letting the children guide their play.
• Assist in transitioning in classroom (washing hands, potting/diaper changing, meals/snacks, going outside, going from project to project, changing of activities, clean-up, etc…)
• Nurturing and caring for children dependent upon caregivers to protect them from harm and meet physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. This includes but is not limited to consistency, comforting, encouraging, feeding, diapering, holding, napping, playing, reading, singing, sensitive interacting and attending to all young child’s needs.
• Allow children to do what they can for themselves, encouraging independence and self-help skills, assisting when necessary.
• Ensure that each child’s information is maintained in a confidential manner.
• Assist in guiding children’s behavior and management.
• Assist in serving USDA approved meals and snacks to children. Knowledge of proper serving sizes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school age children. Sit with children at mealtimes and model healthy eating behaviors and good manners.
• Be familiar with special dietary needs (allergies) and medical issues (asthma, etc...) of children.
• Assist in comforting children during naptime. This requires sitting on the floor, rocking, holding, rubbing backs, reading, etc.
• Must adhere to individual sleeping and eating patterns and needs of infants and toddlers rather than an adult prescribed time schedule.
• Assist in preparing food, setting table, serving, cleaning and sanitizing of tables, chairs and floors.
• Preparation of bottles (formula or breast milk), assist with sippy cups.
• Responsible for maintaining a safe, sanitized and clean environment.
• Assist with all indoor/outdoor physical activities.
• Must assist in hand washing, face washing, wiping noses, diapering, potty training and toileting duties and changing clothes as needed.
• Assist with transitioning to other classrooms, Head Start, or other programs.
• Assist during field trips, local and out of town.
• Write objective observations of children, notes to parents and keep accurate documentation and records for the Center’s reporting responsibilities.
• Maintain safe indoor and outdoor play areas.
• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

• Knowledge of basic Early Childhood programs.
• Ability to organize and coordinate workload and complete work assignments.
• Ability to maintain CONFIDENTIALITY
• Ability to comply with TRIBAL policies and procedures.
• Ability to follow instructions and adhere to prescribed routines and practices
• Ability to meet and communicate orally and clearly with the public
• Must demonstrate commitment and understanding of the regulations regarding maintenance of potentially sensitive information to meet confidentiality requirements and best practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Must pass a Washington State Patrol Criminal History Background Check prior to hiring
• Must have within 30 days of hire: Infant/Child/Adult CPR, First Aid and Food Handlers Permit.
• Must have HIV/AIDS and Bloodborne Pathogens Training.
• Must have a negative TB skin test.
• Must meet STARS requirements and be listed in the STARS Training and Registry System, which includes 30 Basic STARS Hours within 6 months of hire and 10 continuing STARS hours annually.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

• Must be a team player
• Must be able to follow directions and guidelines
• Must be maintain a positive attitude
• Must know and use safe work practices
• Report to work at scheduled time and maintain good attendance.
• Complete job duties assigned in a timely manner.
• You must be able and willing to participate in staff training, meetings and workshops in and out of town.
• Have reliable transportation and a working telephone.
• Must be willing to further Early Childhood Education.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Often physically demanding, this includes lifting and carrying children, occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Be at the children’s level. Be able to bend over, sit on floor to be on the children’s level.
• Must be able to work in a wide range of positions 8 hours per day, including but not limited to squatting, sitting in/at child size furniture chairs, sitting and getting up off the floor, bending, standing, walking, running, jumping, chasing, crawling, and generally being able to maintain eye contact with children being served.
• Must participate in play with children, including but not limited to walking, running, jumping, chasing, crawling and climbing.

As with all position of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, this position is Indian Preference in hiring accordance with P.L. 93-638.