CLASS TITLE: Teacher Assistant I – Early Head Start
DESCRIPTION OF BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To assist Early Head Start Teacher(s) and Teacher Assistant II employees in the supervision and care of infant and toddler age children in the Early Head Start Program. Employees in this classification receive direct or general supervision from a center teacher and work on a day to day basis within the framework of standard policies and procedures. This job class provides assistance to infant and toddler age children as well as in the implementation of program objectives and in providing responsible day care.
ESSENTIAL AND TYPICAL DUTIES
Assists teacher in classroom care giving routines
Assists in food service:
Receive food and set up meals
Maintain a clean environment for food service area
Wash dishes and pans
Assists the teacher to work with individuals and groups of infants and toddlers
Assists in supervising and care of infant and toddler age children
Utilizes respectful individual and responsive care giving practices with infants and toddlers
Assists teacher in maintaining a clean, safe and orderly classroom environment
Assists children in bathroom procedures; performs diapering duties as necessary
Participates with teacher in home visits
Assists with the implementation of health, emergency procedures and first aid
Attends meetings and in-services
Record keeping and order supplies
Assists the teacher in maintaining a safe physical environment
Performs other related duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:
Infant and toddler growth and development principles and practices
Effective child guidance practices and principles
Ability to:
Assist in the implementation of Early Head Start Performance Standards
Assist with indoor and outdoor recreational activities suitable for infants and toddlers
Communicate with infant and toddler age children, their parents, and staff
Comply with federally mandated training requirements for licensing by the State Department of Social Services
Learn effective and appropriate care giving and practices utilized in infant/toddler care
Read, write, and speak English at a level sufficient for successful job performance
Effectively supervise and care for individual or groups of infant and toddler age children in their play and during routines
Effectively understand and follow written and oral instructions
Effectively interact with infants and toddlers in a responsive, positive and sensitive manner
Maintain effectiveness in a stressful situation
Meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the assigned duties safely and effectively
Establish and maintain cooperative, mutually supportive and effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties
EDUCATION AND AGE REQUIREMENTS
Completion of at least six (6) units Early Childhood Education (ECE) classes within the required community care licensing core course matrix including three (3) units in infant/toddler development
Must be 18 years of age
May require:
Bilingual/bicultural proficiency English and another language as specified by the County Office of Education.
BARGAINING UNIT: Aides Unit
WORKING ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in inside and outside environmental conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, move quickly, use hands to finger, handle to feel; and reach with hands arms. The employee is frequently required to sit on the floor and return to a standing position. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Hearing within normal range is required.
Personnel Commission Approval: June 24, 2004