Job Abstract

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Encourage and support families working with their own infants and toddlers and classroom volunteers.
2. Work in cooperation with classroom team members.
3. Complete and update first aid, communicable disease, child abuse training, OSHA regulations, CPR and other training deemed necessary by the program administration.
4. Report any cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to the EHS Lead Teacher, Children Services, Social Service area staff, the Education Supervisor and the Intervention Manager (IFSP infants and toddlers only).
5. Maintain confidentiality of staff, infants and toddlers and family records at all times.
6. Adhere to OHCAC agency personnel policies and procedures and all written agency policies.
7. Supervise and ensure the safety and well-being of the infants and toddlers at all times, being alert for the needs of the infants and toddlers as a group and as individuals.
8. Meet and plan with staff for implementation of Individual Intensive Intervention plans.
9. Generate and record in-kind donations of time, space and materials.
10. Provide and promote a caring, nurturing and positive environment while maintaining positive relationships in the center for infants and toddlers, families, staff and volunteers.
11. Develop relationships with infants and toddlers and families that promote positive social emotional development utilizing techniques from the Conscious Discipline program.
12. Contribute to activities which promote the Creative Curriculum philosophy, Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment, ODE Early Learning and Development Standards, Step Up to Quality and the ODJFS Licensing rules in the classroom.
13. Contribute to child care routines that are performed in a manner that is prompt, hygienic and consistent with child development principles, including head checks, hand washing, tooth brushing, mealtime and transition between activities.
14. Fully participate in and contribute to healthy family style meals including retrieving and returning dishes and food, setting and serving meals following USDA and Head Start Performance Standards, Health Department Standards and the ODJFS licensing rules. Sit, eat and interact with the infants and toddlers to role model appropriate behavior at all times.
15. Record Anecdotal notes throughout the year regarding the development of the infants and toddlers. Complete and submit the Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment information continually to the Early Head Start Lead Teacher.
16. Assist in the classroom, on the bus, screening or other needed areas as required by the director, supervisor or manager, including using personal car for work related errands including transport of food.
17. Contribute to the responsibility of operating the program in full compliance with all Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Child Care Licensing Rules, Step Up To Quality and OHCAC Head Start rules and Head Start Performance Standards.
18. Operate the center in full compliance with the Ohio Heartland CAC Head Start Child Positive Behavior Support Policy that prohibits corporal punishment.
19. Actively promote the Head Start/Early Head Start program in the community and recruit families year round.
20. Transfer of site assignment when necessary for the operation of the program when management feels it appropriate.
21. Will be required with prior notice to work flexible hours outside the normal 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. workday on occasion in order to adhere to and stay in compliance with regulations stated within the Head Start Performance Standards.
22. Due to program needs, least senior employee in a position must accept Re-Call from Seasonal Lay Off or unemployment will be terminated and discharge will follow.
23. When required will assist Early Head Start by providing staff breaks and other necessary duties.
24. Operate in full compliance with the Ohio Heartland CAC Head Start Positive Behavior SupportPolicy that prohibits corporal punishment.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Demonstrate flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and changing priorities.
2. Attend staff meetings.
3. Contribute to the implementation of Infants, Toddlers & Twos Creative Curriculum and to the planning and evaluation of Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment towards School Readiness Goals in the classroom.
4. Contribute to keeping classroom, storage room and bathrooms clean, neat and orderly.
5. Contribute to home visits, under the supervision of the Early Head Start Lead Teacher.
6. Perform any duty as assigned in order to meet or stay in compliance with state and federal regulations.
7. Contribute to completion and dispersal of appropriate paperwork as required.
8. Obtain approval for absences, late arrivals and early departures from supervisor.
9. When absence is necessary, you must notify your Education Supervisor at least one hour before your scheduled work time. You must speak directly to someone. Phone messages are unacceptable. If unable to contact your direct supervisor, contact the Child Health and Education Director at 740-751-2510.
10. Check mail boxes twice a week and e-mails daily.
11. Required to have Time & Mileage entered electronically on a weekly basis according to your Education Supervisors schedule.
12. When requesting time off it is to be done ahead of time and submitted to your Education Supervisor for approval, unless it is an emergency or unexpected. You are required to submit an Employee Action form for any length of absence from required work time
13. Must be willing to travel within Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland Counties.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

1. The Head Start Associate Teacher is accountable for the safety and well-being of the infants and toddlers at all times.
2. The Head Start Associate Teacher isaccountable to the Early Head Start Lead Teacher.
3. Current Early Head Start AssociateTeachers must be continuously enrolled at the University of Cincinnati for on-line classes or be continuously enrolled in an equivalent program thatleads to their Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate in order to obtain their Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate Credentials within 18 months of beginning employment.
4. Current Part time/Full Time Associate Teachers and On-Call Associate Teachers that do not have their Infant/Toddler CDA within the required time frame and plan to go to or stay On-Call will not be able to substitute in any Temporary long term capacities.
5. Current and Newly Hired On-Call Associate Teachers that plan on applying for a regular position if the opportunity arises, will be required to contact their Education Supervising Manager after 90 days, in order to be enrolled in the Infant/Toddler CDA Program, This is a yearlong commitment of being continuously enrolled with the University of Cincinnati Infant/Toddler CDA Program.
6. Once Infant/Toddler CDA workshop modules are completed, staff will complete and submit a TEACH scholarship application for payment of Infant/Toddler CDA credential.
7. Once an Associate Teacher receives their Infant/Toddler CDA credentialing, they are required to work for OHCAC Head Start according to the contract signed with the agency.
8. Once verification of an earned Infant/Toddler CDA credentialing has been received by the Education Supervisor, an additional 5% will be added to the hourly wage.
9. If at any time a hired Part/Time or Full/Time Associate Teacher drops an Infant/Toddler CDA class or fails to be continuously enrolled, termination may result upon approval by the Executive Director of OHCAC. Tuition repayment will be required. Accumulated Annual Leave will be used to re-pay tuition costs to the Agency for failure to be continuously enrolled in the required Infant/Toddler CDA credentialing program. A contract will be signed to that affect.?
10. Within eighteen months of hire (depending on the date of hire and the CDA Program start date with the University) Associate Teachers will be expected to receive their Infant/Toddler CDA.
11. Associate Teachers are required to renew their Infant/Toddler CDA when it is due in order to stay employed with OHCAC Head Start.
12. Video and audio recordings will be made during Head Start activities and observations and will be used for public relations, professional development, training and/or possible disciplinary action.
13. Drug and alcohol testing to be conducted as required by OHCAC and funding source.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School Diploma or G.E.D. required.
2. An Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate credential must be obtained within 18 months of hire.
3. Must be able to respect confidentiality.
4. Must be able to work independently with initiative, creativity, and without constant supervision.
5. Good oral and written communication skills preferred.
6. Computer skills preferred.
7. Must be flexible and able to work with a diverse population.
8. Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals preferred.
9. Ability to compute rates, ratios, and/or percentage preferred.
10. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
11. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; hear; and smell. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must be able to move quickly to retrieve a running child.
12. The employee is occasionally required to climb or to balance.
13. The employee must frequently liftand/or move up to 50 pounds on a daily basis.
14. Specific vision abilities required this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
15. Must be able to clearly see the entire classroom.
16. Due to insurance regulations, must be at least 18 years of age.
17. Must possess a valid Ohio Driver's License and carry up-to-date vehicle insurance to be permitted to drive on agency premises or while conducting agency business.
18. Must have ready access to a drivable vehicle.
19. Must show courtesy and respect to staff and customers at all times.