Full Time Early Head Start Teacher Assistant/Kitchen Floater Elgin Center

• Help cook to prepare meals according to the cyclic menu.
• Foods shall be attractively presented; hot foods shall be served hot and cold foods shall be served cold;
• Food delivery from kitchen to classrooms onsite or offsite;
• Serve meals on time and maintain a sanitary, healthy environment by adhering to regulations for dishwashing and sanitizing surfaces, and by participating in daily custodial duties;
• Follow the Head Start performance standards for Health and Nutrition, and Oregon Health Division Food Sanitation Rules.

• Contribute to the maintenance of a safe, healthy, emotionally secure learning environment.
• Meet individual needs of all children, including children who are at risk, have special needs, are gifted, and are culturally diverse.
• Contribute to the implementation of daily lesson plans and follow a consistent schedule that includes one-on-one time, small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, two meals, and effective transitions between activities.
• Encourage language use, experimentation, exploration, problem-solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice-making.
• Contribute to an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
• Supervise and monitor children at all times.

• Attend weekly team meetings with the Teacher and full-time Teacher Assistant and participate in planning and team-building activities.
• Under the guidance of the Teacher, contribute to the maintenance of accurate written records, including screening and assessment, special education documentation, anecdotal observations, and documents for transition to public school.
• Maintain open and ongoing lines of communication within the direct service team, with enrolled families, with consultants, and service providers.
• Actively participate in professional development plans, including coaching support, as provided by EOUHS or an EOUHS contractor.

• Develop good working relationships with parents under the guidance of the Teacher and the Family Service staff.
• Support family partnership activities as requested.
• Accompany Teacher on Home Visits and participate in Parent Conferences whenever possible.

• Attend weekly team meetings with Teachers and participate in planning and team-building activities.
• Assist in the utilization of information obtained from screening and assessment, observations, and parental input to develop individual child goals, classroom curriculum, lesson plans, and home visit activities.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of learning experiences that advance the development of children in all domains.

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• CDA or AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development required within 2 years of hire
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Experience working with children in a calm, gentle manner.
• Willingness to learn appropriate classroom techniques and strategies in working with children.

• Ability to see and hear.
• Physical ability to manage and interact with preschool children in the classroom and on the playground.
• Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to read and understand program policy and procedure.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, managers, and parents.

PROFESSIONALISM and ETHICS

• Maintains confidentiality of records and conversations in accordance with policy;
• Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of status or position;
• Accepts responsibility for own actions;
• Follows through on commitments;
• Adapts to changes in the work environment;
• Changes approach or method to best fit the situation;
• Manages competing demands;
• Ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events;
• Consistently at work and on time;
• Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.

• Completion of Orientation Checklist and required trainings
• Presentation of the following documentation is required at the time of hire:
  • Valid Driver’s License or access to reliable transportation.
  • Work authorization documentation is necessary to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Federal Government. Eastern Oregon University Head Start does not sponsor applicants for employment visas.
  • Proof of enrollment in Oregon Child Care Division Criminal History Registry.
  • Approval to work based on an initial health examination that includes screeners or tests for communicable diseases, as appropriate
• Current enrollment in the Oregon Child Care Division Criminal History Registry.
• Periodic re-examination as recommended by a healthcare provider that includes screeners or tests for communicable diseases, as appropriate.

• The following documentation must be provided within 30 days of hire:
  • Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification.
  • Oregon Food Handler’s Card

• Enrollment in an educational program that will result in completion of a Child Development Associate (CDA), a state awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the Oregon Child Care Registry Step 7, or an AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development within 2 years of hire if not already held.