Early Childhood Education Assistant Teacher

Definition

**IF YOU PREVIOUSLY APPLIED FOR THIS POSITION, YOU DO NOT NEED TO RE-SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION**

Under general supervision from the ECE Leader and/or Assistant Program Manager, the Assistant Teacher works as a team player in facilitating the learning process and supervision of children (two weeks - 5 years old) in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Early Childhood Program. Jointly supervises and participates in the training of children, parents, staff, and volunteers, as needed.

Primary Job Functions

Primary functions may vary among positions, but may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities among other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

Examples of Tasks

• Coordinates with the Teacher(s) and Teacher Aide(s) in all phases of the ECE Center classroom to ensure a well-managed purposeful program responsive to all participants' needs. Maintains scheduled center activities, follows lesson plans, and documents accordingly. Completes and maintains all necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and other regulations.

• Implements federal, state, and local health and safety policies and procedures. Follows guidelines set in the SRPMIC and ECE Policies and Procedures Manual. Implements the performance standards as reflected in the SRPMIC ECE Program Plan. Writes observations for developmental milestones for children in the classroom. Assists with the implementation of lesson plans and ensuring plans are in line with Head Start Arizona early learning standards.
• Assumes the Teacher's responsibilities in his/her absence from the classroom.
• Supervises children along with the Teacher(s) and Teacher Aide(s). Assists in planning, organizing and attending parent meetings, as needed or required. Assists and supports Teacher(s) in evaluating and conducting individual assessments for the children. Observes strict confidentiality guidelines regarding children and families. Assists in educating parents and volunteers about the ECE Confidentiality Policy. Prepares and conducts anecdotal assessments on the children for parents during Parent Teachers Conferences.
• Maintains the cleanliness of the classroom by following the ECE Policy for classrooms, which includes, but is not limited to, putting materials away each day and cleaning tables before and after meals and activities. Arranges the physical environment with the Teacher(s) to make the center safe, healthy, interesting, and developmentally appropriate. Assists in maintenance and upkeep of classroom supplies, materials, and equipment. Assists in obtaining needed supplies and materials for the classroom.
• Assists Teacher in leading the tooth brushing or mouth care activities with children on a daily basis. Disinfects toothbrushes daily and replaces mangled toothbrushes as needed. Cleans/disinfects surfaces, toys, and materials according to the required schedule.
• Reports suspected abuse/neglect/maltreatment and other social service related incidents to the appropriate ECE staff. Reports any repairs and maintenance needs concerning the center or classroom facility and playground to the ECE Program Manager.
• Pursues basic Pima or Maricopa language skills diligently and continues to expand from words and numbers to practical phrases. Assists in presenting a minimum of one (1) cooking activity for general nutrition and one (1) cultural food cooking activity each month.
• Attends and participates in all scheduled staff meetings and ongoing training designed for ECE Teaching Staff as well as supplemental education training. Serves on at least (2) job related committees annually.
• Administers and reviews required screenings along with the Teacher(s). Submits all screenings and referrals, for special services to the appropriate ECE staff within forty-five (45) days of the child's enrollment.
• Works cooperatively with identified ECE Exceptional Student Services staff in the development of goals for children with disabilities, the provision of direct services, and any required documentation.
• Develops and implements in accordance with the Teacher(s) and Aide(s), a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children based on the individual interests, needs, and abilities of the children in the classroom and the group as a whole. Considers goals and objectives for each child and for the group as a whole and assists in developing realistic lesson plans responsive to the needs of all. Assists in creating an environment and daily curriculum, which reflects a developmentally appropriate anti-bias, multicultural approach.
• Participates in the team assessment of each child developmentally. Determines individual goals, involving families in the process. Participates daily in team planning of curriculum with the Teacher(s) and other appropriate staff, encouraging and using suitable input from families.
• Supervises and participates in developmentally appropriate outdoor play activities daily.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Other Characteristics

• The History, culture, traditions, and customs of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Knowledge of:

• Child growth and development as well as positive discipline techniques
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including training, counseling, and performance evaluations

Skilled in:

• Interacting with small children in learning and play situations
• Understanding and interpreting the problems of small children
• Working effectively on a team
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the public school systems, community agencies and departments, vendors, parents, volunteers, SRPMIC staff, and the general public
• Using a computer and MS Office Suite application software

Ability:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Follow oral and written instructions, policies and procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines
• Interact comfortably and empathetically with people from diverse backgrounds
• Be adaptable, flexible, resourceful, energetic, creative, dependable, and punctual
• Lift up to fifty (50) pounds such as, but not limited to: a child, materials and equipment, from one location to another
• Operate a variety of standard office equipment, including but not limited to: a photocopier, fax machine, calculator, and computer to fulfill job requirements
• Operate a variety of standard media equipment, including but not limited to: TV, VCR, camcorder, two-way radio, tape recorder, CD/cassette player, record player, and overhead projector to fulfill job requirements
• Operate a variety of standard household equipment, including but not limited to: washer; dryer; and vacuum to fulfill job requirements
• Handle food products, various supplies, and cleaning products, including but not limited to: soap and bleach

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education: Associate's degree (or higher) in Early Childhood Education, or an Associate's degree (or higher) in a field related to early childhood education and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education including a minimum of 18 credit hours in Early Childhood or Child Development from an accredited college or university, and experience working with children ages two weeks to five years.

Preference: Preference will be given for applicants with both the AA degree in Early Childhood Education and experience working with children ages two weeks to five years.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

Special Requirements

Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of this position, successful completion of an extensive background investigation is required. Incumbent is required to pass a basic physical examination and provide proof of immunizations at time of hire. Follow-up physical examinations and current immunizations are required and must be completed to maintain good employment status. Maintaining booster shots on immunizations and taking a TB skin test or x-ray annually is also required. Documentation of the above medical actions is absolutely essential for the file and for the health of the children in the Early Childhood Education Program. Incumbent must also obtain First Aid and CPR certification within the first three (3) months of employment from the date of hire and maintain certification subsequently.

• At the time of hire, the incumbent must pass a basic physical examination and produce proof of a negative TB clearance and current immunizations, as well as fingerprint clearance.

Driving Requirement: This job description does not require the incumbent to drive; however, any employee who chooses or is asked to drive an SRPMIC vehicle for work related community business must receive authorization to do so. For clarification, work related community business includes driving to and from SRPMIC government sites and buildings.

Terms of Employment: This position is treated as a full-time non-exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified : Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted .

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.

Benefits:

The SRPMIC offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. In addition employees enjoy vacation and sick leave and 13 paid holidays.