Head Start Float Assistant

Summary: The Tri-County Opportunities Council Early Head Start/Head Start Program serves 483 expectant mothers and children ages birth to five in the nine Illinois Counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside. The program offers comprehensive child and family development services to those deemed eligible. The program’s primary goals are to partner with parents to promote self-esteem, increase self-confidence, and advance school readiness skills for children. Comprehensive programming includes education, medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional services; welcomes children with disabilities or special needs; and provides family education, advancement, and social service support while connecting enrolled families to community resources and transportation assistance. The program offers various options to meet the needs of children, families, and communities throughout all nine counties.

Mission Statement: T.C.O.C. Head Start is committed to taking the leadership role in developing partnerships to build stronger communities. We create and nurture supportive experiences that lead to successful outcomes for children, families, and staff.

Agency Name: Tri-County Opportunities Council

Program Name: Early Head Start/Head Start Program

Job Title: Teacher Assistant

Reports to: Site Supervisor

Status: 40 Hrs./week, Part-Year Position, Non-Exempt

You will be floating around to help at multiple sites or classrooms depending on where you are needed for the day. Site locations include Sterling and West Carroll (Possibly)

Education Requirements: Minimum of a high school diploma. Previous experience in the field of early childhood education is preferred. Persons with or without experience will be required to obtain an Infant/Toddler and Preschool CDA within 18 months of hire. Must have a valid Illinois Driver's License.

If hired, employees without the required credits/credentialing will be required to sign a professional development plan upon hire with a designated timeline for completion.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance
• Not essential but may be required as needed; sufficient strength and flexibility (ability to stoop, bend, twist, etc.) to frequently bend down to a child’s level, sit on the floor with them, stand for prolonged periods of time, respond to a child’s quick and frequent movements and when necessary lift a child, must have manual dexterity
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Must have the ability to safely enter and exit the center and family’s home
• Must pass a general physical examination and TB screening at the time of hire and every two years thereafter
• Must obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR
• Employment in this position is contingent on cleared criminal background check, clear background check as per the Department of Children & Family Services Licensing Standards and Policy Council approval
• Strong Communication Skills-effective verbal and written
• Patience, Understanding
• Flexibility
• Technology Proficient
• Maintain Confidentiality
• Classroom and Behavior management
• Team Management Skills
• Decisiveness
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Abilities
• Conflict Resolution
• Time and Priority Management Skills
• Self-Management
• Conveying Feelings Appropriately
• Demonstrates Cognitive Flexibility
• Ability to take and follow direction

Accountabilities: To provide safe, supportive, intentional and engaging environments for children between the ages of birth and five years of age. Offer environments and experiences that provide natural and developmentally appropriate skill development opportunities to children with various skill levels. Reduce achievement gaps through equitable practices. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development resulting in improved teaching and learning.

Adhere to internal and external policy, procedure, and best practice

• DCFS Licensing Standards
• Head Start Performance Standards
• Child and Adult Care Food Program
• OSHA
• T.C.O.C. Early Head Start/Head Start Policy and Procedures
• T.C.O.C. Human Resource Policy and Procedures

Support the mission, goals, and objectives of the Tri-County Opportunities Council Community Action Agency and, more specifically, the Early Head Start/Head Start program.

Essential Duties: To create child focused, emotionally supportive, safe and responsive experiences that support: emotional connection, progressive communication, shared respect, autonomy, expression, higher order thinking skills/cognition and that reduces racial, ethnic and linguistic disparities.

• Create a safe, warm, and accepting environment following Program Policies and Procedures
• Implement the Curriculum to Fidelity
• Follows all licensing procedures, inclusive of DCFS, Head Start Standards, OHSA, CACFP, etc.
• Ensure that children are actively supervised by qualified staff at all times and appropriate ratios are maintained
• Ensure indoor/outdoor areas and equipment, materials, and supplies are safe, used, stored, and maintained in an orderly manner
• Promote and guide individual self-help skills.
• Complete necessary paperwork neatly and accurately by established deadlines
• Model family style meal service, by sitting and eating what the children are eating while carrying on appropriate conversations during meal times
• Identify and document sources of nonfederal
• Completes ongoing professional
• Supports the mission, goals, and objectives of Tri-County Opportunities Council.

Benefits:

• Dental Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Vision Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Life Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Health Insurance – 2 Plans (Must work 30 hours/per week)
• Partially Paid Family Medical Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Sick Time
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Career Advancement Opportunities

For current staff applying for a different position, the wage is base pay (based on current qualifications) plus 1% for each year of previous agency employment.

Tri-County Opportunities Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provider. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.94 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)
• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Sterling, IL 61081 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $19