Classroom Support Aide

Job Summary

Responsible for assisting with daily classroom operations, participates in planning and
implementing appropriate early childhood activities, provide individualization and
support for specific children, and develops appropriate relationships with children,
parents, community, and co-workers within the Head Start Program. Hours may be
flexible throughout the year based on site need.

Essential Functions

The Classroom Support Aide will ultimately be evaluated on a combination of skills,
dispositions and behaviors, some of which are related to the specific service area of this
position and others that represent general expectations of all our agency employees.

The Classroom Support Aide responsibilities chiefly fall within the following essential
functions, although s/he may perform other tasks and/or duties as assigned. The
Classroom Support Aide will demonstrate competency to perform essential functions
that include:

1. Assists staff in implementing curriculum to support educational and assessment goals for all
children, including individualized goals for children with disabilities.
2. Actively participates in daily classroom operations by adapting and implementing
developmentally appropriate activities and materials, and equipment to facilitate
participation of children with disabilities.
3. Promotes the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of all children,
including those with disabilities and behavioral challenges.
4. Implements and reinforces behavior management techniques.
5. Observes, records, and monitors children's progress; routinely communicates observations
with classroom staff, consultants, and parents.
6. Facilitates family-style meals, including assisting children with table setting, serving food,
and practicing mealtime behavior per CACFP guidelines.
7. Performs required caregiving activities (feeding, toileting, dressing, etc.).
8. Assists staff to incorporate IEP/IFSP goals into classroom activities as directed.
9. Assists children with differing abilities in their daily routine, including diapering and feeding.
10.Recruits families for all PGCCS options, including maintaining a waiting list.
11.Completes reports as assigned by supervisor with accuracy and timeliness.
12.Attends and actively participates in staff meetings, training, and professional development.
13.Maintains confidentiality regarding families, staff, and community partners.
14.Proficient in utilizing various virtual platforms to facilitate seamless communication and
collaboration.

Minimum Requirements

1. HSD/GED. CDA/ECE Certificate preferred.
2. Completion of CDA for Preschool and/or Toddlers within 24 months.
3. Six months BCCL or Head Start parent or volunteer work in Head Start (HS) or Child
Care (CC) preferred.
4. Classroom Support Aide must be at least 18 years old.
5. Basic computer skills, functional oral and written communication skills, and ability to
communicate in a professional manner with internal and external customers.
6. CSA may not drive to pick up supplies, etc. unless a copy of vehicle insurance and
driver's license is on file.
7. Fingerprint card and Social Security card, and CPR and First Aid
8. The Health Questionnaire is required for hire and will be updated every 3 years.
9. Meet all agency, state and federal required immunizations or have an approved
exemption on file.
10.Employee must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English.
11.Bilingual English/Spanish skills desirable.
12.Food Handlers Card or Certificate within 30 calendar days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:
1. Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and the application of
early childhood development principles, cultural/ethnic diversity, and family
dynamics.
2. Knowledge of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and how to
implement it within the position.
Skills:
3. Skilled in observation, documentation, and communicating children's progress with
classroom staff, consultants, and parents.
Abilities:
4. Ability to prioritize workload while being flexible; works independently and
demonstrates strong team-membership skills.
5. Ability to demonstrate/capable understanding of the DCS reporting system and the
signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect.

Physical Requirements

Able to perform the following physical requirements of the position with or without
reasonable accommodation: critical sensory requirements include general vision;
specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color
vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Hear or listen in
the normal range (corrected) and speak and give directions clearly. Able to walk, sit,
stand, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to
40 lbs., run 50 feet, and demonstrate exercises - jumping jacks, leg lifts, etc.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a classroom/office setting where minimal exposure to injury exists. The
hours of work will generally be during regular business hours and average at least 40 hrs. per
week. There will be work variations in work hours due to employee special projects, deadlines,
and other concerns. PGCCS employees have the possibility of exposure to blood or other
potentially infectious materials through collateral duty to their routine work assignments, such
as rendering first aid if need arises, and seldom exposure to vibration, toxic conditions, odors,
dust, mold, and poor ventilation.