EARLY HEAD START SPECIALIST

Job Title: Early Head Start Specialist
Department: Child Development Services (CDS)
Reports to: Early Childcare Program Manager
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Revision Date: October 29, 2024

Who is Good Samaritan?

Good Samaritan Community Services is a 501(c) 3 organization that serves communities that are being underserved by traditional community support.   We provide a continuum of integrated services to more than 3,500 individuals from the age of 6 weeks to 93.  We serve more than 1,200 families via offices and locations in San Antonio, Brownsville, and other parts of South and West Texas.

Good Samaritan began as mission of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in 1939 and became an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in 1951 under the leadership of Bishop Everett Jones. Since the inception of our ministry, we have focused on serving the health and education, and social and emotional needs of our neighbors.

Our mission to "actively serve as a catalyst for change, supporting youth, individuals, and families by providing excellent community services to overcome economic poverty.” We do this through a continuum of services designed to stabilize families, establish nurturing relationships, and foster self-sufficiency in those we serve through the programs and support we provide via our Family Services and Youth and Teen Departments.

Position Summary
The Early Head Start Specialist is responsible for the provision of direct care, education, health, and safety of infants and toddlers enrolled in Early Head Start and La Escuelita preschool program, for promoting the learning of language, communication, social-emotional, and cognitive and creative development of children in the program, and for administrative activities and tasks needed to support the day-to-day delivery of child development services office. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, activities related to the transport of children enrolled in Early Head Start services.

Required Education and Experience

• Child Development Associates Required, bachelor’s degree with at least 18 hours of college level coursework focused on infants and toddlers preferred.
• At least two years of experience working in a licensed childcare facility required.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record required
• CPR certification required or the ability to obtain prior to start date.
• Knowledge of word processing software and email required.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred, according to business needs and requirements.

Essential Duties & Functions

• Demonstrate adherence to the CORE values of Good Samaritan Community Services.
• Supervise children who require transportation to and/or from Early Head Start program services.
• Assist the Early Childhood Program Manager by providing coverage for other staff in classrooms as assigned.
• Implement developmentally appropriate lessons and activities that promote social-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development for assigned children.
• Supervise and actively participate in classroom and outdoor activities as needed; Provide interaction that is warm (shows affection and interest), positive and respectful while maintaining order and positive guidance.
• Assist with the observation, assessment, and documentation of each individual child’s growth and development in accordance with program policies and assessment procedures when needed.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents by using informal day-to-day conversations, phone calls, and parent notes.
• Submit required reports and paperwork (meal counts, accident/incident/ illness reports, sanitation checklists, medication logs, health checks, etc.) accurately, on time, and as required by Early Head Start, Child Development Services or agency procedures.
• Maintain a clean, healthy, safe, and orderly indoor and outdoor environment by performing housekeeping, laundry or other tasks as may be required by the situation and by following agency and program policies and procedures for health and safety related issues.
• Appropriately set up indoor and outdoor classroom environments for each planned activity and assure the best environment by performing necessary tasks (cleaning tables, mats, toys, playgrounds, etc.).
• Assure that classrooms have necessary supplies, materials and equipment for efficient program operations and communicate needs to the Lead Teacher or Early Childhood Program Manager in a timely manner.
• Participate and document at least 30 clock hours of training in child development and related childcare topics each year in accordance with EHS and TDFPS Minimum Standards; Receive and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR for children.
• Attend and participate in all staff meetings required by program management.
• Assist with communication, ARDs, and meetings between special education therapists/professionals, parents, and the coordinator to meet children’s needs.
• Keep track of children with IFSPs (Children with disabilities). IEPs Individual Education Service Plans which include special accommodation and modifications as appropriate for children with disabilities.
• Support the Childcare Manager with recruitment, enrollment, and office duties related to the daily operations of the early childhood programs.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Early Childhood Program Manager.

Supervisory Responsibilities
None.

Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, one must be able to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, talk, hear, type, have close vision, color vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus with good hand- eye coordination, and occasionally lift between 25-35 pounds. These physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Day and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and requires occasional long hours and weekend work. This is dependent upon the nature of the special action, project, or event that may arise, and the timeframe for completion.

Travel
Local and occasional out-of-town travel may be required.

Benefits and Compensation
Salary range is $16.00/hour. A competitive compensation package will be offered for this position based upon the successful candidate’s education, skills, and experience.