Head Start Operations assistant

This position entails tasks that are technical and diverse in nature and requires that capacity of independent judgment and action to accomplish program goals. The normal work week will be 40 hours, worked Monday through Friday, but hours may vary to meet the needs of the Center. Overtime may occasionally be required. This employee reports directly to the Site Leader. In the absence of the Site Leader, the Operations Assistant will supervise Family Support Workers, Cooks, Cook Assistants, Lead Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and other related center staff.

JOB TITLE SUMMARY

The Operations Assistant has the responsibility of assisting the Site Leader in all matters of the Center. This individual assists in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the Center. They must balance business concerns with what is good for the children and provides leadership and direction to the staff responsible for providing safe and healthy care for the children. Noise level could be moderate to loud in working in center

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The Operations Assistant assists the Site Leader with all following duties. In the short-term absence of the Site Leader, the Operations Assistant assumes all duties and responsibilities of the Site Leader.

• Assist in daily, on-site operation of the Head Start center, including maintaining compliance with minimum standards and Licensing laws. Ensure Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (CCR) regulations are followed

• Assists Director in supervising all center staff and ensuring the center’s daily operation is in compliance with the minimum standards. Supervision includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that employees fulfill their assignments and responsibilities.

• Ensures that all staff complies with minimum standards

• Assists in ensuring that teaching staff plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities in all classroom functions

• Assists in ensuring that all child assessments are accurately completed according to the set timelines. This includes but is not limited to LAP 3, LAP D, Quick Screen, and Articulation Screen

• Assists in ensuring that teaching staff utilize all available resources and maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning

• Assists in ensuring all content areas are integrated in classroom curriculum (education, nutrition, mental health, health, disabilities, and transportation)

• Promote Parent Engagement Activities

• Assists in ensuring that records of enrolled children and families are maintained in accordance with established Head Start Performance Standards and Minimum Standards and are available for review as needed

• Ensure the maintenance of the indoor and outdoor environment

• Provide staff assistance in carrying out their job duties effectively.

• Assists in maintaining children and staff CCR folders

• Maintain up to date knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, Child Care Licensing Regulations, child development concepts and other applicable laws and regulations required to ensure program compliance.

• Maintain up to date knowledgeable in the various content areas of the Head Start program, including but not limited to social services, parent involvement, health and services to children with disabilities

• Assists in ensuring that health checks for children are conducted each morning

• Show initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness.

• Disseminate information to staff in a timely manner

• Assists in conducting center staff and parent committee meetings

• Assists in ensuring that all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) paperwork is properly completed and submitted on time by kitchen staff. Sign off on USDA paperwork.

• Promote parent involvement in the classroom

• Maintain an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child’s family, encourage their involvement in the program, and promote parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships

• Assist in promoting feelings of security and trust in children by being warm, supportive and comforting, and by establishing strong and caring relationships.

• Assist in ensuring staff are providing experiences that allow children to develop curiosity, initiative, problem-solving, creativity, sense of self and group belonging

• Assists in ensuring that appropriate referrals are made to meet needs of children and families

• Assists in ensuring that in-kind reports are completed accurately and according to the set timeline

• Assure child-staff ratios are maintained at all times

• Regularly monitor children on playground to ensure safe and appropriate play. Monitor plays area to ensure safety and cleanliness of the equipment. Ensure that children are visible at all times

• Assist in ensuring that staff clean and perform general maintenance of classroom.

• Assist in monitoring staff ’s work schedules and that staff are on time and ready to work scheduled hours

• Assist in assuring staff are assigned to and complete cleaning duties including mopping, sweeping, dusting, cleaning restrooms or any other cleaning duties

• Responsible for reporting to their immediate supervisor or designee, if they witness or see anything present or anyone not following the SPCAA procedures or processes that place a person or program files at risk

• Capture, value, and appropriately document In-Kind, non-federal share

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OR JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Assume the role of Acting Director anytime the Site Leader is away from the center The designated staff must know they are in charge and for how long, know their responsibilities while they are in charge, have access to all essential information to communicate with parents and state and local authorities as needed, and have the authority to direct the Center in compliance with minimum standards. All staff must know who is in charge in the Site Leader’s absence.

• Assist Site Leader in accurate completion and review of all performance evaluations of staff

• Assist in ensuring that all staff has assignments that match their skills, abilities and training

• Assist in keeping adequate inventory of supplies to effectively accomplish Center actives. Requisition needed supplies, equipment, or other needed items

• Ensure that accident and illness reports are submitted accurately and in accordance with established timeframes

• Assist in ensuring that staff are not regularly scheduled for more than ten hours of direct childcare during a 24-hour period

• Assist in ensuring that qualified substitutes are available as necessary to meet minimum standards

• When transporting children/parents, ensure that:

• Staff maintain a calm atmosphere on the vehicle

• Staff assists the driver in transporting children and families safe and proper manner

• Staff obey all laws regarding proper transporting policies

• Staff assists and is responsible for children and adults during boarding and un-boarding of the vehicle

• Staff have all children and parents properly secured in the vehicle according to the transportation laws

• Staff makes sure no obstructions exist on the bus and that all exits are properly marked.

• Assist the driver with pre-trip inspections

• Maintain discipline when children are being transported

• Assist in monitor classroom activities

• Assist in ensuring that all necessary filing is completed in a timely manner

• Assists in ensuring that job postings are properly displayed and kept up to date

• Ensure at all reports required by Site Leader are completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner

• Work with Family Support Workers to ensure family needs are met

• Assist in parent meetings, orientations, and special functions

• Be available to fill in for any Center staff where the need arises. May assist at other Centers or offices as needed.

• The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job. Employees may perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education requirements (any one of the following):

• bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or bachelor’s degree in related field with:

1. Student teaching in an early childhood setting (infants, toddlers or preschoolers) or

2. A minimum of six college courses in early childhood education or child development, focused on children up to age 5 or

3. A Texas Teaching Certification (pre-K, elementary, or all level)

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or Associate degree in a related field with:

1. A minimum of six college courses in early childhood education or child development, focused on children up to age 5.

• CDA Credential

• Be at least 21 years of age

• Have supervisory experience

• Disseminate information in a timely and effective manner

• Available for weekend work as needed

• Computer and technology skills to effectively use word processing software, spreadsheet format, e-mails, internet, palm pilots, and other necessary programs

• Must be willing to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with the “Drug Free”: Agency Policy

• Must be able to pass regular criminal history checks.

• Must submit to TB tests as required.

• Must possess ability to provide reliable self-transportation capable of regional travel. Must possess and maintain valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required. Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law. MVR background checks may be conducted by the agency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Working with children is physically and emotionally demanding work, requiring patience and energy. Must maintain the physical condition and stamina appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting or standing for extended periods of time, drive or ride in sedan, bus or van, and interacting with children at the child’s eye level (which includes floor activities) or other duties assigned.

• The usual requirements in a classroom environment may require lifting boxes of supplies, equipment and occasional adjustments of office furniture

• Occasional pushing, pulling, lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds

• Regularly required to sit for extended periods of time

• May require long periods of standing or walking

• Occasional bending or squatting require