Program Aide - CA State Preschool Program

*JOB TITLE: *Program Aide *DEPARTMENT: *Early Childhood Education *PROGRAM: *CSPP *STATUS: Full-Time - Non-Exempt* *REPORTS TO: *ECE Manager *HOURS PER WEEK: 35* *WORK LOCATION:* HSA Bell Gardens *TERM: *12 Months *The Organization:* Human Services Association (HSA) is a private nonprofit agency whose principal mission is to provide families with compassionate and comprehensive care to promote wellness and build strong communities.
HSA was founded in Bell Gardens in 1940 and today, HSA serves over 20,000 clients annually on a non-sectarian basis with a range of services that addresses the unique and shared needs of clients of all ages.
*Program Overview:* Our Early Childhood Education Department provides services to 800 children over three distinct programs (Early Head Start, Head Start and State Preschool) at ten school sites.
The California _*State Preschool*_ Program provides a pre-school experience for children ages 3 to 5 in the cities of South Gate and Huntington Park.
The _*Early Head Start*_Program is a federally funded program that provides a home based and center based program for pregnant women and children ages 0-3 that reside in zip codes of 90201 and 90280.
The _*Head Start*_ Program offers a comprehensive child development program for low-income preschoolers ages three to five years old that reside in zip code 90280.
*Position Summary:* Under the supervision of the Early Childhood Education Manager, the *Program Aide* will support the site by following educational instruction and providing instruction with the Teacher’s guidance.
The program aide will also support covering breaks, preparing meals, setting up the classrooms and ensuring the health and safety of children and families is maintained at all times.
Ensures all program activities in all service areas and ensure the program meets or exceeds funding source requirements based on the performance standards, Title 22, and title V regulations.
Adheres and complies with program regulations and other relevant regulations in all ECE programs.
*Duties And Responsibilities:* _Primary Responsibilities:_ · Prepare breakfast, lunch and snacks for all classrooms, as appropriate · Serve meals to each classroom on time, at the appropriate food temperature · Work with staff to collect attendance information before food preparation of each meal · Prepare appropriate amounts of food for each classroom, with amounts served meeting CACFP guidelines · Maintain a clean and organized kitchen, including all food storage areas * Make sure all thermometers are working properly * Ensure all food items are checked for expiration dates * Wash and sanitize all dishes, as appropriate * Clean the entire kitchen and appliances throughout the day * Remove trash and recyclables daily · Organize and put away all food deliveries and non-food items needed for meals · Ensure the health and safety of all children and parents in the program.
· Assist in the implementation of nutrition and health activities and complete meal counts.
· Provide nurturing care and guidance to each child.
_Classroom Responsibilities:_ · Assist in providing breaks and lunch breaks to Staff.
· Assist in the supervision and coordination of curriculum activities as assigned by Lead Teacher.
· Assist in implementing and planning school readiness and curriculum activities as directed by the Teacher and/or Lead Teacher.
· Assist with conducting and coordinating small group and large group activities, as needed.
· Assist children with physical, emotional needs and overall development.
· Assist and provide on-going supervision of indoor and outdoor play areas.
· Actively participate in all child activities.
· Assist in conducting daily health checks of each child.
_Other Expected Responsibilities:_ · Report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance.
· Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.
· Model the Standard of Conduct Policy when interacting with parents, community members and Colleagues · In accordance with our "team" philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description · Staff must believe in and act in accordance with both the Agency's and the program's mission/vision statements, adopted theoretical frameworks, and philosophy.
· Identify and report any suspected incidents of child abuse (following the Mandated Reporter Guidelines) · Communicates with children, families and other staff in respectful and culturally sensitive manner · Maintains confidentiality of children, families and employees of HSA · Works as member of agency team by promoting the mission and philosophy of HSA · Represents HSA at community and professional functions, as needed.
· Attend department, agency, and community meetings and trainings, as assigned.
Continue professional growth by participating in classes, training programs, workshops and/or conferences, as the budget allows.
· Willing to work evenings, weekends and to travel locally and out of the service area for trainings.
· Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Department Director *Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:* · Knowledge and experience working with Head Start Performance Standards, Title V, Title 22, CACFP Regulations and other State and Federal Regulations · Knowledge of child growth and development.
· Work effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds, and those with disabilities and special needs.
· Participate in a positive team atmosphere.
· Be patient, able to resolve conflicts, gentle, loving, kind, creative, and resourceful.
· Use excellent problem solving, planning, and organizational skills.
· Be detailed and multi-task with a strong desire to succeed.
· Cope well with stress.
· Organized and able to successfully meet daily objectives; have the ability to lead team atmosphere; have mediation and negotiation skills; possess effective conflict resolution skills.
· Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using correct English (spelling, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation).
· Preferred Bilingual (English/Spanish); effective oral and written communication.
*Education And Experience:* *Option 1 (*_*preferred*_*):* · Associate of Art (AA) degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field · Possess or meets the requirements to apply for and Associate Teacher Permit with the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing · Minimum one (1) year of experience working with preschool children, infants and toddlers *Option 2:* · Possess a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential or 12 units of early childhood education or child development including core courses.
· Possess or meets the requirements to apply for and Associate Teacher Permit with the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing · Minimum one (1) year of experience working with preschool children, infants and toddlers *Option 3:* · A minimum of 6 semester units of course work in early childhood education or child development (excluding field work), including at least one course of at least three semester units in each of the following core area: o Child/human growth and development.
o Child, family, and community, or child and family relations o Programs/curriculum.
· Possess or meets the requirements to apply for an Assistant Teacher Permit with the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
· Minimum one (1) year of experience working with preschool children, infants and toddlers *Licensing/Certification Requirements:* · Possess or meets the requirements to apply for and Assistant Teacher Permit or higher.
· Occasional driving is required.
· Must provide own vehicle, valid California driver license and proof of full insurance coverage.
· First Aid certification, Child CPR certification.
· Health screening: *o Physical* *o Negative tuberculosis screen (TB)(required).
* *o TDAP or DTAP clearance (required)* *o MMR Clearance (required)* *· Must pass criminal background check including Live Scan (fingerprinting)* *Work Environment/Physical Demands:* The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job or that an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The *Program Aide *work location can be in any one of the following cities: Bell Gardens, Huntington Park or South Gate, CA.
As needed, the Program Aide will drive to different site locations and training sites (this includes HSA’s main office, Clarendon office, or location to be announced).
The majority of the job duties are performed within the preschool classroom.
These tasks require the following physical demands which include but are not limited to: constant walking, bending; occasional lifting (25 pounds), pushing, squatting and climbing stairs (as needed) in the office or at one of the preschool sites (indoor/outdoor) or in the classroom.
The employee will complete required documentation (as indicated in the job description) a location with moderate noise levels, peanut free, and that it is a non-smoking facility.
*Human Services Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities* Job Type: Full-time Pay: $19.
00 - $21.
00 per hour Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Health insurance * Life insurance * Paid time off * Parental leave * Retirement plan * Vision insurance Schedule: * Monday to Friday Application Question(s): * Are you willing to get a Live Scan (background clearance)? * If you do not have an Associate Teacher Permit, how many units do you have in Early Childhood Education completed? Education: * Associate (Preferred) Experience: * working with preschool children, infants and toddlers: 1 year (Preferred) Language: * English & Spanish (Bilingual) (Preferred) License/Certification: * CA Driver's License (Required) * First Aid Certification (Preferred) * Child CPR Certification (Preferred) * Associate Teacher Permit (Preferred) Work Location: In person