Teacher Aide (Substitute)

Job Summary: Under the direction of the Education Operations Manager, in coordination with the Center Education Coordinator and Assistant Center Education Coordinator, the Teacher Aide Substitute provides classroom support to ensure a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for children. This position assists in implementing developmentally appropriate activities based on the Creative Curriculum, the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), and Head Start Program Performance Standards. The Teacher Aide Substitute supports daily classroom routines, promotes positive child development, and helps maintain a healthy, safe, and inclusive environment. As part of a team-teaching model, the Teacher Aide Substitute works collaboratively with center staff to ensure continuity of care and learning while meeting the individual needs of children and supporting overall program operations. 

As a substitute position, this role works on an irregular, as-needed schedule and does not have guaranteed or regularly scheduled hours. Employees will be offered work opportunities as they become available and may be assigned to different classrooms, age groups, centers, or locations based on program needs. Longer-term substitute assignments may be available. To remain active in the substitute employee pool, employees must work at least one shift during each 90 day period when work opportunities are available. Failure to meet this requirement may result in removal from the substitute pool and separation from employment, except when otherwise approved by management.

Essential Functions:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Follow all Community Action policies, procedures, and program expectations while supporting the daily operation of the classroom.
• Provide active supervision of children at all times to ensure their safety and well-being.
• Assist in maintaining a safe, healthy, clean, and developmentally appropriate learning environment in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, Minnesota DCYF Rule 3 licensing requirements, and agency policies.
• Support implementation of the daily schedule, classroom routines, indoor and outdoor learning experiences, and transitions as directed by classroom staff.
• Promote children's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development through positive guidance, nurturing relationships, and developmentally appropriate practices (DAP).
• Work with children individually and in small and large group settings to support learning and engagement.
• Participate in family-style meals, encouraging conversation, independence, and healthy habits.
• Follow all health and safety procedures, including sanitation, handwashing, toileting supervision, tooth brushing, emergency procedures, and required evacuation or severe weather drills.
• Observe children and communicate relevant information or concerns to classroom staff.
• Report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately in accordance with mandated reporter requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of all child, family, and program information.
• Demonstrate professionalism by interacting respectfully and collaboratively with children, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Attend and successfully complete all required trainings, meetings, and professional development as assigned.
• Perform assigned duties in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, Minnesota DCYF Rule 3 licensing requirements, Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), agency policies, and all health and safety procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Safety: Responsible for providing active supervision of children, maintaining assigned areas of supervision, enforcing health and safety practices, identifying and reporting potential hazards, and responding appropriately during incidents and emergencies.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience: High School Diploma or GED required. Experience with early childhood or education programs, nonprofit or social service, or Head Start experience preferred. Experience with varied socio-economic and multi-ethnic groups and/or individuals preferred.  Demonstrated ability to read and write English.

Abilities and Skills: In order to be successful in this position, the person will at minimum need to possess the following abilities and skills:

• Must possess good work ethics and make sound decisions to promote safety.
• Must be able to work as a team member.
• Must be able to effectively communicate with children, parents, and staff.
• Ability to learn and utilize email for communication purposes.
• Ability to learn and utilize timecard software system.
• To ensure compliance with program requirements, and safety of staff and clients, the ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing is required.

Certifications: Must obtain CPR/First Aid Certification within 90 days of hire; must maintain certifications.

Transportation: Must have reliable transportation on a daily basis to report to assigned location(s).

Technology Requirements: Because this position works on an as-needed basis, employees are expected to have reliable access to and use their own technology to receive work opportunities, communicate availability, manage their schedule, and respond to scheduling updates.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and have the stamina to model best practices in the classroom and act appropriately in emergency situations.
• Must possess the stamina and ability to physically model best practice in the classroom.
• Physically capable of reacting to the demands of active 0 - 5 year olds.  
• Must be able to successfully pass the pre-placement Head Start physical exam

Mental Requirements: Must be able to maintain continuous awareness of children and the classroom environment, follow verbal and written instructions, respond appropriately during emergencies, manage changing assignments and routines, exercise sound judgment, and work both independently and collaboratively as part of a classroom team.

Environmental Requirements: School environment (classroom and playground)

Benefits 

Department: Head Start 

Salary: $19.00/hr 

Locations: Multi-Site – This position may be assigned to different classrooms, age groups, Head Start centers, or program locations based on program needs. 

Schedule: This position works on an as-needed basis and does not have a regular, set schedule or guaranteed hours. Work opportunities will be offered based on program needs and employee availability. Longer-term substitute assignments may also be available.

To remain active in the substitute employee pool, employees must work at least one shift during each 90-day period when work opportunities are available. Failure to meet this requirement may result in removal from the substitute pool and separation from employment, except when otherwise approved by management.

Employees must have reliable access to and use their own phone, tablet, or computer to receive work opportunities, communicate their availability, manage their schedule, and respond to scheduling updates.

Assignments may be scheduled Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Daily assignments may vary from four to eight hours depending on program needs and employee availability.

Hybrid Capability: This position has 0% remote capability. 

Posting Dates: This position will be reposted until all vacancies are filled. 

Benefits: Relief employees are eligible for Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), workers’ compensation coverage, unemployment insurance benefits as applicable, overtime pay in accordance with applicable laws.  

Background Checks: Community Action conducts criminal background checks at the time of hire. Not all backgrounds are a barrier to employment. 

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) Employer. We recruit, select, hire, place, transfer, promote, demote, layoff, discipline, terminate, recall, compensate, and train without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, directives, and regulations of federal, state, and local governing bodies or agencies. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities whenever possible.