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Position Purpose

Assist the Head Teacher and Teacher to provide comprehensive Early Head Start services to children/families. Provide a successful, safe and supervised educational setting for infants and toddlers pre-school children (age 0–3) while they are in the Early Head Start environment (classroom, outdoor play area, and field trips). To abide by the Head Start of Lane County Code of Conduct and Ethics Statement written within the employee handbook. Must meet requirements per Federal Head Start Performance Standards and any local, state and or agency policies and procedures. 

Essential Job Responsibilities – Performance Indicators 

  1. Supervise and monitor children at all times. 
  2. Assist in setting up environment (indoor/outdoor) for the activities of the day. 
  3. Maintain a well-organized, safe and attractive classroom environment conducive to the optimal growth and development of children. 
  4. Use developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate activities with groups and individuals. 
  5. Integrate all Early Head Start components into classroom time. Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making; ask open-ended questions and listen respectfully to the answers. 
  6. Observe and record behaviors of children to assist the Head Teacher and Teacher in the identification of each child’s strengths and areas to grow. 
  7. Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom. 
  8. Respond to crisis or emergency situations that may occur. Provide first aid or CPR, prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens, and access emergency services as needed. 
  9. Assist CFSW to provide daily meal service.

Additional Job Responsibilities 

  1. Sanitize classroom equipment and laundry. 
  2. Assure/assist in general maintenance and security of facility. 
  3. Assist with inventory of equipment and supplies. 
  4. Assist with breaks and other classroom needs as requested. 
  5. Assist with diapering/toileting. 
  6. Attend meetings, trainings, and appropriate professional development activities. 
  7. Monitor and report child abuse. 
  8. Other duties as assigned 

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start’s policy on confidentiality. 

Minimum Requirements: 

  • Infant and toddler classroom assistant/teaching experience is required, two years is preferred. Experience and knowledge should include the ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children including at risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations as well as family dynamics and adult learning principles.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable. 
  • Intermediate to advanced computer skills, internet and e-mail. 
  • Within 30 days of employment must be Pediatric CPR & First Aid certified and have a current Food Handler’s Card. 
  • Health Appraisal Questionnaire is required at hire and will be updated annually. 
  • At time of hire must be currently enrolled in Child Care Division-Central Background Registry/fingerprinting and must renew every two years. 
  • Within 60 days of employment, must provide valid proof of enrollment into the Oregon Registry Step’s Program. Application forms will be issued at time of Hire. High school diploma or GED. 
  • CDA or 15 credit hours in Early Childhood Education preferred. 
  • Must demonstrate experience and interest in working with young children, parents, and volunteers. 
  • Must demonstrate a strong knowledge of appropriate practices in early childhood development including working with parents. 
  • Must demonstrate success in working as a member of a team. 
  • Must demonstrate the ability to work well with young children. 
  • Must be willing to work flexible hours in order to meet the needs of the program. 

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required 

  • Frequent significant decision and problem solving abilities. 
  • Ability to supervise and monitor children at all times to ensure a safe environment. This includes the physical ability to monitor and move quickly in order to respond to children who are very active and may need restraint or redirection in order to ensure their safety or the safety of others. 
  • Ability to handle sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner 
  • Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families. 
  • Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision. 
  • Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or a crisis situation. 
  • Regular kneeling, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to child’s needs. 
  • Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds. The ability to carry or drag a child in an emergency situation in classroom setting and on the playground to a safe area

Physical/Mental Abilities and Processes 

  • Ability to closely monitor and supervise special needs child/children, 
  • Ability to respond to behavioral issues with appropriate behavior management processes. 
  • Routine decision making such as when to communicate to teachers and parents and when changes in program are needed, when emergencies arise etc. 
  • Daily kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor to attend to child’s/children’s needs. 
  • Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. 

Position information 

  • Budgeted weeks based on classroom model 
  • Supervised by Regional Manager

Approved by Policy Council 05/2017. 08/2023 
UPDATED:  04/2017. August 2021, July 2023 

This job description was last updated on 08/11/2021. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is subject to change at any time. 

Head Start of Lane County is an EEO Employer.
Head Start of Lane County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.